Ruger LCR 38 spl. heavy loads?

[Schreck5]

I am using a 158 gr rnfp (165 gr my alloy) boolit in my 3" LCR-x. Is ~1000 fps obtainable or even wise? I can reach ~850 pretty easy and have found a fairly accurate load. But that extra 150 fps seems to be a huge step toward the KAABOOM zone. I haven't tried H110 yet, but am pretty leery about going there. Is this doable or a pipe dream? This will strictly be a self defense load so won't be shooting too many of these. Bruce

[Mk42gunner]

Not real sure just how strong the LCR is, but your desired load seems a bit warm to me.

Robert

[RJM52]

The Buffalo Bore 158s in HP and hard cast are doing well over a grand from a 3" barrel. They are rated for "any" modern .38 Special handgun including lightweights.. Just chronoed some from a 2.5" Diamondback and they were 1040 and 1080 I believe... See the post on .38 Heavy Duty loads...

I think your loads will be warm, not nothing a LCR can't handle...

Bob

[MarkP]

I have used Alliant Power Pistol for 38 SPL in my 637, 638, & 642. Load below is 1,037 fps from a longer 6" bbl

301296

shot in the revolvers listed above:

158 LEE FN chrono in the high 900's also have the NOE 180 gr WFN HP mold and the HP's are 173 gr and are at 875 - 900 fps

[pettypace]

A hard-cast 165 grain swc at 1000 f/s might look something like this:

http://snubbyfest.000webhostapp.com/expansion/35_swc_165_1000.png

A hard-cast 150 grain wadcutter at 750 f/s should look more like this:

http://snubbyfest.000webhostapp.com/expansion/35_wc_150_750.png

Against a charging grizzly, the extra penetration and "Big Game" wound mass might prove decisive. But for most likely civilian self-defense scenarios, the wadcutters offers more than adequate penetration, a 50% increase in "Defense" wound mass, and significantly less recoil.

I'd want the cylinder loaded with full-charge wadcutters and the speed loader with your accurate 800 f/s rnfp load.

[megasupermagnum]

+p 38 special is only 18,500 psi. I would not try H110 or 300mp or anything like those at such low pressures and densities. I tried the Lee 158gr rnfp in Quickloads, adjusted to 165 gr. It appears 850 fps is all you should be getting. To get to 1000 fps you would need ballpark 30,000 psi with any powder I tried. It would be no concern at all in a 357 mag LCR. I'm not sure a 38 special LCR frame would last very long with such loads.

[45DUDE]

In the old Winchester books 4.6 of 231 with 158 lrn does 980 @19000. <BOOK LOAD>I have shot a lot of it and accurate @50 yards.<+p load> How do you get 165 grains from a 158 mold? What is your mold #? I have made boolits weight less but not more. POWER PISTOL in post #4 looks like the most buzz.

[Schreck5]

45Dude I just went in and weighed one of the boolits...168 grs according to my RCBS balance beam scale. They are plain base, pc`ed, 65:35 soft lead:ww, out of an MP brass mold.

What gun did you shoot that load from and what bbl length?

[45DUDE]

K frame L frame and N frame 2 1/2--8 3/8. It's a common target load load in Lyman manuals. I just used 150 -160 gr boolits for about 40 years. I don't think you are going to get there without leading. I have found for me -accuracy starts dropping after about 920fps with a 38 special and a 158 lead. I would think a 135-140 JHP would be better for defense up close in 38 special hopped up a little. Some guns are weaker than others so hotter loads are not published.

[stubshaft]

110/296 will NOT get you more velocity. The barrel is too short to burn the powder.

[smkummer]

Yep, power pistol is your best bet as it typically adds 100 fps or more over 231 or unique while staying within standard or plus P pressure levels. But like others said, the heavy 38 special bullets have the penetration providing a bleeding hole on both ends. Plus most would fire at least twice, which I would most certainly do. One can try to achieve a milestone velocity figure but the 850 fps FBI load worked back then and no doubt today.

[Schreck5]

Based on you kind folks, I will be satisfied with my 850 fps load, and try to find some Power Pistol. Bruce

[hc18flyer]

I have CFE Pistol and Power Pistol, also shooting for that 850-900 fps range with 160 grain swc. Is one better than the other, in your experiences?

[45DUDE]

I can't load photos on this forum but I have an old Lyman book that has a 168 cast lead 358429 boolit at 1035 fps with 10.5 of 2400 in 38 special with #2 alloy. 6''model 14 S&W. Keith boolit. Doesn't give pressures-just max load.

[megasupermagnum]

I can't load photos on this forum but I have an old Lyman book that has a 168 cast lead 358429 boolit at 1035 fps with 10.5 of 2400 in 38 special with #2 alloy. 6''model 14 S&W. Keith boolit. Doesn't give pressures-just max load.

It would be about 760 fps from a 3".

[Outpost75]

5.5 grains of Autocomp in .38 Special with 168-grain Keith similar to #358429 is max. +P and gives 870 fps from my S&W .38-44 Heavy Duty with 4-inch barrel and 0.005" barrel cylinder gap. You are kidding yourself trying for over 850 fps from. 3-inch Ruger LCR using hot handloads which void any factory warranty. It could be an expensive lesson.

[Hi-Speed]

You probably get darn near 1,000 fps using a 158 gr cast SWC and up to date/published Alliant 2400 load data in 357 Magnum cases (your LCRx I assume is a 357 magnum). I would never attempt to use 38 Special cases to obtain your 1,000 fps velocity goal in your short 3 inch barrel…respectfully, that’s coming from nearly 50 yrs of reloading experience.

I would use a 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWC loading using Power Pistol in accordance with Speer’s latest published load data. You can expect an upper end of about 850 - 875 fps with the short barrel. Another fun load with the 158 gr LSWC uses 6.0 grs Unique in 357 Magnum cases…this is my go to range load in my Ruger SP101 2.25”. I like using 357 cases in my 357 mag guns to avoid those carbon rings which result using 38 Spls. Personally speaking, If you want 357 Magnum velocities stick with commercially available 357 Magnum ammo to reach your 1,000 fps criteria.

Sounds like you may have a chronograph, you may consider investing in one or use a
friend’s.

[FergusonTO35]

In the old Winchester books 4.6 of 231 with 158 lrn does 980 @19000. <BOOK LOAD>I have shot a lot of it and accurate @50 yards.<+p load> How do you get 165 grains from a 158 mold? What is your mold #? I have made boolits weight less but not more. POWER PISTOL in post #4 looks like the most buzz.

My Lee 358-158-RF consistently drops 'em at 164-166 grains with plain range scrap lead.