.38 Spcl. +P loads for Colt Trooper

B

Bart B.

New member
Would like some suggested +P loads for my circa 1954 .38 Spcl. Colt Trooper using HS-6 powder. Those for 140 and 158 JHP bullets such as Hornady's XTP's.
 
I don't have pistol load manual.

There's all sorts of loads on the 'net.

I was just curious as to what this forum's folks might suggest.
 
I assume it's safe to use in the gun? I just ask because S&W's prior to 1958 they don't recommend using +P just in case.

I shot Winchester JHP +P ammo (white box) from my Model 10 before.
 
Bart, here's a similar load I use in my S&W Model 10 and Python.

Bullet: Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Hodgdon HS-6 7.2 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Federal .38 Special

Hodgdon recommends 7.0 grs of HS-6 for a maximum (+P) using the Hornady 140 gr. XTP-HP.
 
You should be just fine with factory +P loads in the 38spl Trooper. The +P loads did not exist when that gun was made and I have read that today's +P's have been reduced in psi.

You can always contact Colt.
 
Recall reading somewhere-forget where and when of course-that back when your Trooper was made-the factories made 38 Special High Speed ammunition-aka 38-44. The +P of its day. While S&W cautioned against firing it in their K frame revolvers Colt said our I frame revolvers-what your Trooper is built on- are more than capable of digesting it with no problem.
 
Bart B. it may be best if you were to get a reloading manual and work your loads up from there. Yes, there is much information on the Internet, but do you know who posted it and their level of experience? Better safe than sorry.

If I remember the Colt Trooper is based on the Colt equivalent of the S&W N frame so any current 38 special +P loads should be safe to shoot in it.
 
Serious reloading requires the availability of several manuals for guidance. I use some manuals from the 1970s because more recent ones have loads that are so watered down for liability reasons that I find them nearly useless.

I would not use load data shared in a discussion forum as I have no idea of its source or validity.

The Colt Trooper (assuming the 38 Special version) is a large frame revolver that can handle any sane load you care to feed it. Current factory +P is ammo is barely a mild target load. I would never rely on such weak loads for self defense.
 
Thanks to all for their suggestions.

I'm aware of the "reduced" +P specs that's sort of been applied to several handgun cartridges. Hodgdon's web site reload data is oft times said to be "mild" in comparison to what was once the norm decades ago.

I've been loading .357 ammo for my S&W Model 19 that pressure peaks in the low 30K range as it's got a history of cracked forcing cones with a steady diet of max loads in the low 40K range. Those loads push out the same bullet faster than .38 Spcl. +P+ loads from what I've gleaned from folks more knowledgable than I.

With my W231, HS-6 and Longshot powder on hand, I'll figure out what to use with 140 and 158 grain bullets in that old .38 Spcl. Trooper. The few trials I've made drive tiny tacks at 7 yards. Expecially with HSM 158-gr. RNFP's.
 
FWIW, AFAIK the .38 Special Troopers used the same frame/cylinder, etc as the .357 Troopers, so I wouldn't worry about it, as long as normal load development steps/procedures are followed.



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