38 spl defense loads

Just like to remind everyone that the original question (and the one I am especially interested in) was pertaining to a 3" barrel. A lot of you are referring to "snub-nosed" revolvers. Personally, I don't know if a 3" is considered a snubbie or not. To me, it is a mid-sized revolver, with a 1 7/8" being a snub and a 4" being full-sized.

Since I have a 3" .357 as well, I am curious what is best to run. I suspect the 158gr FBI load is probably just fine, but I don't know if 3" is "too short".
 
Fabrication your own that beat those these days is a waste, the factory loads have gotten very good .
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That could be true, I haven't bought a factory centerfire for some years. I would argue about being a waste however. 100rds of my cast HPs cost me about $5.00. Oops, $8.00, forgot the gascheck. I'd be curious how much 100 buffalo bore lead swchp gascheck cost.
 
I prefer to stick with the traditional 158gr bullet weight for the .38 Special, that is what the fixed sight service revolvers will be regulated for. I think that it's funny that most folks today think of the 158gr. bullet weight as a heavy weight for the .38 SPl and the .357 mag:rolleyes: A heavy weight bullet would be anything that is above 158gr. I like the Remington 158gr LSWCHP (+P) as it has a good track record, and it hits close to the sights of my S&W M10.

Dave T, you must have gotten ahold of a bad batch of ammo to get velocities that low from a 4" barrel. Here is some very thorough chrongraph tests done on various .38 SPL ammo.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...cs/107972-some-38-special-velocity-tests.html

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/reloading/118121-three-38-special-handloads.html

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/reloading/125541-four-high-performance-38-special-handloads.html
 
336A, that test you posted was done in 2010. My chronograph readings were from earlier this year. You say I got a bad batch. OK, how does someone tell (if they can even find the stuff for sale) if they have a good batch from 3 or so years back or a currently sold bad batch? Mine came right out of the Remington factory box and it didn't say they were wimpy. That idea came from the chronograph results.

Dave
 
Regardless of when that test was done, the velocites of the Remington 158gr LSWCHP (+P) load are typical of what was attained in that test. Those same velocities have also been attained from others as well it's no secret how that load performs from a 4" tube.

Lets not get sarcastic here, obviously it is not going to say on the box that it is a bad batch. However from the velocities that you attained it clearly shows that that specific box of ammunition wasn't within the specs for that load. BTW not long ago there was some QC issues with this ammo. Some folks were finding this ammo had the bullets seated out to long, thus giving the cartridge a longer O.A.L, which prohibited some from chambering it in their revolvers.
 
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Tell you what. You go on thinking that stuff is the cat's meow and I won't. We'll just have to live with that. And, I'm not being sarcastic but very suspicious, particularly of factory and internet claims.

Dave
 
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