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38 Special Load

sfettysfetty Member Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
Anyone have a load for a 158gr fmj 38 Special for my S&W Model 66 with a 4" Barrell that will meet at least a 125,000 power factor?
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Comments

  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey, I think you have some sort of "typo" on the listed pressure. If you are looking for about 12,500 psi, that would be a very, very, very light load. If looking for 125,000 psi, then there probably hasn't been a hand gun load made yet that reaches this type of pressures. I just thought of something...are you looking for a load rated at "125" for some combat type shooting? Tell us what you want to do exactly. I have numerous good recipes for the .38 Special in 158 grain bullet.....
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  • sfettysfetty Member Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I need a 125,000 power factor (bullet weight x fps) to meet IDPA requirements for competition shooting.
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  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That's what I was thinking after I posted. OK, this should work for you. Using a 158 gr. bullet, a load producing 800 fps would make a rating of 126,400. Here are some:Bullseye - 4.1gr --- All OAL at 1.450"231 - 4.5 grAA-No.2 - 4.5 grUnique - 5.7Viht N340 - 5.2AA-No.5 - 6.8These loads are using Standard Pistol Primers and all give 800 fps. Hope one of these will work for you. Thought you might have some powder like one of these. I use Unique myself for target loads in the .38 Special. They work great for me! Good Shooting!
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  • sfettysfetty Member Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks. That helps alot. I have some Bullseye and 231. I'll try both loads and see how they chronograph. Thanks again.
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  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can go up or down with any of these recipes if need be. They are all pretty much "in the middle." "MAXIMUM" on Bullseye or 231 should be considered to be 4.9 on both. You've got quite a bit of room to get it right where you want either of them to be. Enjoy! Glad I was able to help!
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You need at least 800fps out of a 4" barrel.You cant get much more in a non +P standard load than 850fps which gives you 134,300 power factor. A load for that is 8.6 gr of Win.630.Plus P loads can give you about 1000fps or 158,000 power factor with 12.2 grains of 4227 powder.
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