.357 and "heavy" .38 special loads

[res308]

Looking for some load data for .357 and .38 special, both using 158 grain JHP. Most of the 158 .357 I use is advertised as around 1250 FPS. I'd like to stay around that. Also trying to come up with what some folks used to call a heavy or hot .38 load. I guess in the upper +p range. STOUT in other words.

I was very envious the other day when I saw that Buffalo Bore has a .38 round called the Outdoorsman with a 158gr (I think) Kieth bullet running about 1250. I ain't figured out how they're doing it, and I ain't gonna chance trying to get up that high by experimentation.

These will be shot in a Ruger SP101 and a Smith 686, maybe the Smith 65 as well.

Thanks

[MiddTennTaco]

What kind of powder are you using? Don't you have a reloading book?

[RED333]

Some like to try to push on the max load, not me.

I load a bit on the lite side, easier control for plinking.

When needed for anything else it will do just fine.

[leroy]

res:____________

 

Try 12.0 grains of 2400 with most anybody's hard cast 158 to 173 grain bullet and a regular small pistol primer.  Iv'e used this load up to 13.5 grains of 2400 in 38 special cases.  It will duplicate the old 38 -- 44 high speed load that wuz used in the old time n frame smiths.  Also, take the time to check this link out:  http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-33906.html .

 

Ive shot the 13.5 grain loads out of a python for a good while; and plan to use the 12.0 grain loads with 173 grain bullets (...lyman 358429...) in an old model vaquero sheriff that i carry from time to time.  The truth be known; the 13.5 grain load is a genuine "hot" 357 load very similar to the 15.0 grain load in 357 mag cases.

 

For little revolvers (...in my case; j frame smiths...), i use 5.3 grains of unique and anybody's 158 grain hard cast semi wadcutter.  They bark pretty hard in the little all steel j frames.  I've chronographed them at an honest 900 fps + thru it (... 1-7/8 inch barrel...).

 

Hope this helps.

leroy

[A.J. Holst]

I don't reload...but I rarely shoot .357 through my SP, my research revealed off-the-shelf magnum loads are typically not optimized in barrels under 4".

[ttocswob]

The February 2012 edition of Handloader had an article (at link, but $) you may find interesting. "Loads for a Lightweight Revolver" started as a Ruger LCR review, then proceeded to some interesting loads. One of these was a gas check 158g LSWC over (charge withheld) Power Pistol. I reduced this slightly, as I used a LSWC with no gas check. Mine averaged about 875 fps from the snubby. Fired both in my .357 LCR and S&W Mdl 36 in .38 Special. Stout!

[Will H]

Sub'd to see how this comes out...