Greed, Power Pistol, and the 38 special

[Questor]

I've been greedy for a 38 special load that will push a 158 grain SWC significantly over 900fps and hit on Power Pistol as the powder that will do it. Source is the Speer manual. Got the components, will load a few shells and see what it gives me. 900fps with this powder is well under the maxi mum for standard pressures in 38 special.

[PaulS]

Questor,

Be careful of your sources. Make sure you are using the exact components that are used in your specs and fire them from a 357 magnum first if you can. The SAAMI maximum for 38 Special is only 17000 PSI. The last I researched SAAMI did not have a standard pressure for the +P rounds in 38 Special and depending on who the manual is made by, you can get between 18,500 and 20000 PSI. The higher pressure is well over the halfway point in the pressure of the 357 Magnum. That is getting into dangerous territory for the lighter framed 38's.

Different bullets can be the difference between ok and way too much pressure. You probably have as much experience as I do and don't need me to warn you - it is just a hangup of mine. I like to see shooters and reloaders die of old age.

[Questor]

Paul S:

I couldn't agree more! Thanks!

The source is Speer #13 manual, and they show two loads for standard 38 special pressures that are about 950fps. One is for power pistol, the other is for an IMR powder I can't remember and which wasn't available locally.  They have a separate section for +P loads for 38 special.  My target is 900fps, so pressures will be under the pressure maximum.

[Mikey]

Questor - 5.4 gns of Unique or 11 gns of 2400 will get you to 1002 and 1010 respectively, and that was from a 6" Model 14.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Questor]

Thanks Mikey. Where did you get that data? The Unique load seems a bit heavy for standard pressures. I'm comparing it to Speer's and Alliant's figures.

Alliant also shows a load for Blue Dot that is about 950fps.

This 38 special project is one I've been wanting to do for a long time and is focused on "high" velocity and long range accuracy.

Hopefully it will take a long time to complete, because I've also had a .25ACP magnumization project planned for quite a while.

[PaulS]

Questor,

I was afraid that was what you were talking about.
Speer makes their own pre-lubed swaged lead bullets and they are 100% dead soft lead.
In my Ruger they caused severe leading even at 800 fps - I wish you all the best! For those of you without a manual the loads listed in the # 13 Speer Manual are:

38 Spl = 4.8 to 5.4 grains of Power Pistol for 856 to 948 fps

38 Spl+P = 5.4 to 6.0 grains of Power Pistol for 948 to 1037 fps

I would caution against using this data with cast lead bullets because they are a lot harder than the swaged lead bullets sold by Speer. I would also add that these Speer bullets caused severe leading at 800 fps in my six inch revolver from the forcing cone all the way to the muzzle.

[Questor]

Thanks, Paul! I should have thought of that.

[PaulS]

Questor,

The Lyman and Hodgdon manuals both have loads for cast bullets that list velocities above 900 fps. Lyman lists their bullet mold numbers and the material they are made from. The Lyman manual does not list any loads using H110 or WW296 (same powder)
The Hodgdon manual lists the same loads for lead and jacketed ammunition but also list no loads for H110. They too have loads that exceed your 900 fps velocity requirement.

It has been my experience that the velocities in the Hodgdon manuakl are slightly faster than I get with the same load in my revolvers. The Lyman manual lists velocities that are 100 to 200 fps faster than I get using their data in my pistols. You may have to load near or at maximum pressure to get velocities over 900 fps in your gun. Then again your barrel may have less drag than mine and produce velocities that are even higher than the data shows. Like I said before - Good luck.

[Questor]

The Alliant web manual also has loads about 950fps with Blue Dot.