Making minor pf with 38 Special

[Ontarget]

What powder to make .38 Special minor power factor (125,000)? I would like to use 158g bullets if possible. Thank you.

Thanks for the replies!

Edited November 12, 2010 by Ontarget

[kct45acp]

i shoot 4.4 grs tite group with 158 berrys bullets figure for a reliable 132-135 pf out of a 4 inch smith mdl 15

[nashvillebill]

I'm getting 800fps out of 3.6 grains of Solo 1000 using Billy Bullet 160 moly coated bullets with a 4 inch S&W Model 66. Nice and clean, very little smoke.

Edited November 12, 2010 by nashvillebill

[lugnut]

4.9gr N320 or 5.1gr 231 from my 4" 686 with 158gr Berrys.

[AzShooter]

I use 3.7 of Solo 1000 to get 127 PF with 158 grain LRN bullets . My standard load is 4.0 grains of Solo 1000 for a 134 pf. This is to make sure poppers go down reliably even in the wind. You won't notice the difference between 10 pf.

Any of the loads listed will make the PF for you. Now pick one you like and bench test them for the best accuracy. That's the load to go with. My 4.0 grain load will produce 1 inch groups at 25 yards off the bench.

[eisenhow]

158gr Berrys RN, 4.4 gr Titegroup, 1.50" OAL

158gr BBI LRN, 4.5 gr W231/HP-38 1.45" OAL

Both make minor with a cushion out of my 686SSR

Edited November 12, 2010 by eisenhow

[Patrick1981]

Here in Italy I make a 125-130 PF with 5 grains of REX 32 (Rexplo Hungary)

4" inch barrel, 158 grs bullet

[MrBorland]

3.5 gr Clay's over a 158 gr LRN makes 129.5k PF from my 4" 686.

[DWFAN]

3.5 gr Clay's over a 158 gr LRN makes 129.5k PF from my 4" 686.

I run 3.8 for some extra cushion, comes out about 135pf in my 686ssr. Primers look good, super clean and little smoke. I like clays a lot. You just have to be careful when testing in your gun. You can find some pretty high clays loads posted here and on the IDPA forum but I didnt have to go that high to get my margin in my gun.

[John Z Sr]

Just a thought, I've been using 195 lrn in shortened .38 brass for minor loads and they have NO recoil and are very accurate.

[BallisticianX]

I currently use 3.9gr of Titegroup with Berry's 158gr plated RN in a 5.5" custom ported barrel for 125pf. Very soft recoiling load and is very clean. I am a lover of titegroup in my 45's and 38's. I have also used 4.4gr. W231/HP38 behind a 160 gr. Bayou bullets LRN and the berry's 158gr for about a 130pf. The accuracy and consistancy edge goes to titegroup.

[cyberiad]

I use 4.4 Solo 1000 with 158 Berry's at 1.500 for 132 - 134 out of a Model 67-6. I may try moly once I get near the end of my box of Berry's.

Edited November 12, 2010 by cyberiad

[Revopop]

I've got a can of Solo 1000 for just this purpose, but I haven't started experimenting yet so I can't comment. I have used HP38/231, and I didn't like it at all. Lots of unburned powder, and if I didn't clean the cylinder and extractor star between stages it'd get dirty enough to seriously slow down my reloads. This was with both a plated and lead 158gr. RN bullets.

[westczek]

I've been using 4.5 grns of Unique for 38 special behind 158 grn poly-coated lead round nose bullet. I get about 850 fps out of a 6 inch barreled 686.

Westczek

[John Z Sr]

I currently use 3.9gr of Titegroup with Berry's 158gr plated RN in a 5.5" custom ported barrel for 125pf. Very soft recoiling load and is very clean. I am a lover of titegroup in my 45's and 38's. I have also used 4.4gr. W231/HP38 behind a 160 gr. Bayou bullets LRN and the berry's 158gr for about a 130pf. The accuracy and consistancy edge goes to titegroup.

I agree that the Titegroup is consistant and accurate, but I find on long stages (24+ rounds) the cylinder gets very hot. I like Clays, as it seems to be pretty accurate and burns clean and much cooler.

[Ontarget]

When people talk about Clays, are you referring to Universal Clays?

[DWFAN]

Most people refer to Universal Clays as Universal.. Clays is usually Clays. My load data above is straight clays.

[Revopop]

I had the same problem with Universal Clays as I did with HP38/231, only moreso.

[lugnut]

I've got a can of Solo 1000 for just this purpose, but I haven't started experimenting yet so I can't comment. I have used HP38/231, and I didn't like it at all. Lots of unburned powder, and if I didn't clean the cylinder and extractor star between stages it'd get dirty enough to seriously slow down my reloads. This was with both a plated and lead 158gr. RN bullets.

My experience with 231 is a bit different. I didn't think it was very dirty. I try to clean my chambers frequently at match but I've gone a couple hundred rounds in practice and just start noticing it. I do a strong hand reload and whack the ejector rod well.

[Punkin Chunker]

3.9 Clays under 158 Rainier FP @ 1.45 oal with Win SP makes 815 ft/sec and 129 pf out of a 4" bbl for me.

[Boats]

Clays for me too, burns clean reloads slip in easy. I have to run it a bit over Hodgens recommended max to make power factor with 158 gr LRN in a 4 inch 686. However Hodgen does not publish any fast loads for Clays and Lead. No signs of excessive pressure or problems.

Start low work up with a chronograph watch for trouble and use common sense.

Boats

[Greg in VA]

I use Clays with a Zero 158 bullet. Works great.....

Greg in Va

[RePete]

158gr Plated bullet

4.4gr/TiteGroup

OAL = 1.5"

or you can use

4.8gr/N320

[SauconValley Shooter]

Good Morning,

Revopop, I have never had a problem with 231 not burning. I use 231 for 38, 357, three different 40 loads and 38 super. I use Clays for 9mm. I wonder if there is something else that could cause the un-burnt powder. I use Federal primers for wheel guns, but a few different brands for semi-autos.

Anyway, my pet 38 special load for almost ten years is 5.1 grains of 231, with Federal 100 primers, and Berry's 158 plated, DSRN bullets seated to 1.500". This has consistently made 132 to 135 power factor.

[20nickels]

3.9gr WST in Spl case, 4.0-4.1 in a Magnum case. Lee 158 gr RNFP. Burns clean, meters very consistent for flake powder and puts down steel.