38spl j frame bullet weight?

axis223

New member
looking for recommendations on plated bullets for a s&w 642. i would like to use win 231-hp38. any tips for reloading 38spl for this combo would be appreciated.
 
Reloading for what purpose? Your 642 is rated for +p ammo so other than the felt recoil and muzzle blast, any .38 load will do. Mind you, if you want to tame that felt recoil some, go with a light bullet and target loads.
 
If you are planning to use a particular defensive load, since bullet weight has more effect on handgun-range point of impact than other factors do, I would match the weight of the practice bullet to that of the defensive load bullet. Your powder is fast enough to work with about anything in the .38 Special at about any pressure level you choose for practice.
 
I would try a few from 110 to 158 and see how your gun shoots each one. My 637 and model 36 tend to shoot the heavier ones high.

I can't tell you what yours will do.

In my 637, 110 shoot a little low close up. 138 gr wadcutters loaded to the max shoot POI.

David
 
I make 125 grain Xtreme plated with 3.6 gr Titegroup for 38 Spcl target loads for my Model 66. Real easy on the hands and gun.

I use the same bullet with 6.8 gr for 357 target rounds and they bang harder but still in the easy to shoot range.
 
These were fired @ 25 yards, you can see where I put the front sight.

As distance decreases, it shoots closer to POA. @ 11 yards POA = POI

This only for my snubby.

It also has CT laser grips, these can be adjusted to any POI but I keep them the same.

NCM_0729-L.jpg
 
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