Good loads for .38 Special 140 grain SWC?

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I'm looking for an accurate load with enough punch for self defense in an S&W 37, maybe 800-850 fps.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

for self defense I would go with Unique and work up a range of loads to find out where you recoil comfort level is, you want it to pop but be manageable so you can stay on target, and a load like that varies person to person and gun to gun, so I encourage you to tinker with your defensive loads a bit.

[FergusonTO35]

Yes, thats the plan. I've almost got the .32 H&R Magnum sorted out so a .38 Special snub load is next on the agenda. Then, finish the .32 Auto, work up some 115 and 150 grain loads for the .30 WCF, then hunting loads for the Marlin 1894 .357, then 300 grainers in the .45-70.... it never ends.

[ShooterAZ]

I use 3.5 grains of Titegroup with the RCBS 38 Cal 140CM (Cowboy Boolit) with fantastic results. This is my favorite cast load in my S&W 686 so far.

[FergusonTO35]

Titegroup is outstanding in my .32's, I'll certainly be trying it in the .38.

[Shiloh]

3.9 gr of Unique gave 785 fps. 4.3 gr. gave 892.

Shiloh

[kdiver58]

the 140 grain boolits don't get a lot of press so . I'm going help a bit. I loaded and my wife and I shot. 200 rounds of 38's with 3.0 grains of Trailboss , very accurate with low enough muzzle flip that my 128 pound wife was able to practice with them doing one handed quick fire drill with no trouble. Out of my sub nose it's at 625 +/- fps. BUT for self defence I would highly recommend Speer's short barrel ammo for the 38. Do a search and read the data for yourself. Sorry for digging up an old thread ( well not that sorry ) Data's Data .

[FergusonTO35]

That's ok. Actually I've found that my S&W's have a strong preference for the 158's while my Ruger Service Six likes the 140's.

[Outpost75]

In my 2" Ruger SP101, 3.5 grains of Bullseye with 146-grain Saeco #348 double-end wadcutter, seated to 1.20" overall cartridge length is 759 fps. 4 grains will get you close to 850 from a 2" barrel, but is a +P load.

[histed]

Like Nocturnal, I'm shooting about 3.5 BE with a Lee 158 TL SWC. Good accuracy and no lead at that speed. Never shot a 140, but the one time I did shoot commercial 148 I used 3 grns. Stumblebutt (I don't want to know ) likely has it right. I'm just finding out that proper fit is king, but that aside, work up to 4 grains if you want more push

[ShooterAZ]

I'm using 3.5 gr of Titegroup with the RCBS 140 CM mold. This is great load in my 686.

[Love Life]

I use 5 gr of unique for everything from the Lee 358-125-RF to the Lyman 358429.

[bedbugbilly]

I also use 3.0 gr of BE with most of my lead 38s for the SWC and RN that I cast - they make a good target load. On my WC - out of a Lyman mold and about 160 gr - I use the old standard2.7 gr of BE. To me, BE works very well in all of my 38 barrel lengths - 2" up to 6". If you do try BE, work it up like any load - start low and go up until you find what works best out of your handgun. Good luck!

[FergusonTO35]

Since I first posted this thread I've tried a number of different powders with boolits of 125,140, 158, and 162 grains. I keep coming back to Accurate #5. No other powder works as well for the .38 Special for me. It produces +P velocity with standard pressure charges, is insensitive to position, and meters perfectly. I think it just works better with all the empty space than most others do. Green dot shows promise, however it requires a magnum primer for any kind of consistency.

[MtGun44]

I agree with Love Life on his .38 load - works great on a 357429 HP at 158 gr, a +P load, accurate
and expands well.

Bill