38 Special 'Normal' load

Lyman's #49 shows 5.0 gr of Unique or 4.5 gr of Winchester/HP38 to be close to but under max and both have worked well in my .38's using standard .38 Special brass. Guns: S&W models 36, 637, 60 and 19. Accuracy varies from 3" @ 25 yds with the shorter bbls, to <2" with the 6" M19. I cast my own with Lyman's 358156 and use them w/o gc, cast from wheel weights and lubed with 50/50 alox/beeswax. HTH's Rod
 
Lyman's #49 shows 5.0 gr of Unique or 4.5 gr of Winchester/HP38 to be close to but under max and both have worked well in my .38's using standard .38 Special brass. Guns: S&W models 36, 637, 60 and 19. Accuracy varies from 3" @ 25 yds with the shorter bbls, to <2" with the 6" M19. I cast my own with Lyman's 358156 and use them w/o gc, cast from wheel weights and lubed with 50/50 alox/beeswax. HTH's Rod
 
I think a "normal" 38 special velocity would be that obtained with a compressed charge of black powder which is what it originally was loaded with in 1898.
 
Rogue Leader asked:
...what you all consider to be a 'normal', 'standard', or 'average' 38 special load.
Click to expand...

I only shoot 38 Special out of the 2 inch barrel S&W revolver I inherited from my grandmother. I use 158 grain jacketed hollowpoints over:
* 4.0 gr of Bullseye,
* 3.7 gr of Green Dot,
* 4.7 gr of Hi-Skor 800X or
* 3.5 gr of Red Dot.

Out of a 2 inch barrel, I never see 800 fps, but low- to mid-700s and with a longer barrel you would probably get higher velocities.

I particularly like 800-X as a pistol powder since I weigh every charge on a balance, so the fact it meters inconsistently doesn't bother me. It is close in performance to Unique, but while I rarely find Unique at any of the gun stores I shop, they almost always seem to have some 800-X.
 
5.0gr Unique with a 158 lswc in .38 brass in my New model Ruger Blackhawk is my standard load. Very accurate. Normal as can be.
 
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