.357 Handi - slow and quiet .38 special load?

[mtbugle]

I havn't started subsonic in 357max yet, but have liked red dot in 45-70. It fills case a lot fuller so I don't worry about double charging. Nice and quiet up to 1000-1050 fps. Use heavy cast bullets and still hits hard.
Thanks Don.

[jjas]

If a factory .38 special load had a 158 gr bullet and a published velocity of 744 fps out of a revolver I wonder what the velocity would be out of a handi and how loud it would be?

[Swampman]

I shot a lot of light loaded Bullseye 148 grain double ended wadcutters out of mine with no problem.  I can't see why a bullet would stay in the barrel.

[cwlongshot]

I shot a lot of light loaded Bullseye 148 grain double ended wad-cutters out of mine with no problem.  I can't see why a bullet would stay in the barrel.

It is a valid concern with very light loads some loaders make. Like you Swamp, I have fired many such loads with out a single problem.
 Sensible re-loadings listed in loading manuals will not cause problems. Super light loads, could...

CW

[Shu]

You should have no fear of light loads. Follow guidelines in reloading manuals and use some caution. When the barrel is open check the bore before putting the next round in. It's a single shot not a beltfed machinegun.

As a reloader you can make some pretty nice subsonic loads with no safety issues. I shoot alot of subsonic stuff and enjoy it. As with anything use your head and you will be fine.

[Buckwheat Jack]

In cowboy action I shoot 38s in a single action and a Rossi lever gun. I use 150 grain LRN over 3.1 grains of Uniques for both. It is not real fast or real loud. It works well with 148 grain wadcutters or semi-wadcutters, too.
I used to use the same bullet with 2.4 grains of 700X, but don't remember if it was loud...it was very accurate.

[semperfi1970]

.357 case, 158 grain Magtech lead round nose, 3.2 grains of Unique without crimp = 760 fps out of a handi.