38spl load for uspsa /idpa

[jcc7x7]

Just hooked a 686 SSR and some stuff with it.

What is the "Standard Load" for the 38spl.

Will be using speed loaders so I can use it in idpa

I figure some round nose bullet but I haven't shoot a 38spl since the days of 2.8grs of bullseye with a 148 DEWC.

[ZackJones]

Depends - do you like heavy and slow bullet or light and fast? I prefer the heavy and slow bullet so I loaded with 158g semi-wad cutters (moving to 625 this week).

To make a minimum of 125 PF you need a bullet traveling 791 FPS but most everyone I've seen recommends loading to 135 PF so that means you need a bullet going a minimum of 855 FPS.

I really like Trail Boss powder so my loads for USPSA are 4.2g at 1.475 OAL. In theory this gives me 804 FPS but I've never run them over a chrono.

What bullet weight and powder do you prefer to use?

[RePete]

To expand on what Zack said.

USPSA PF is 125 minimum

IDPA PF is 105 minimum

When I was using lead (I now use plated) bullets my load was

158gr LSWC

4.3gr/Bullseye

PF = 138

For plated

158gr Frontier Plated

3.6gr/TiteGroup

PF = 125

After they dropped the PF in IDPA, I didn't bother to change my load.