3.8 grains titegroup in 38 special

[44minimum]

Wouldn't 3.8 grains of titegroup behind a 158 grain lead bullet be OK to shoot in any 38 special? I think my book gave something like 15,000 cup pressure. The gun in question is a police positive.

[badgeredd]

Lee's Second Edition list 3.8 as the never exceed load. The starting load is 3.2 and considering the age of a Police Positive, I think I'd start at the 3.2 or 3.4 to see how the gun handles it.

Edd

[Bret4207]

The Police Positive is a light frame, rather aged, 38. Best to take things easy on those old timers.

[duckndawg]

I use 3.5 gr. of titegroup in my vaqueros for cowboy shootin it is a comfy load to shoot

[Down South]

I use up to 3.5 gr of Titegroup in my 38's. My plinking loads, I use 2.5 gr and that's under a 148 gr wadcutter. I haven't got any of my manuals in front of me but if I remember correctly 4.3 gr is considered a +P load. If it were me, I'd start off with 3.5 gr or less especially with that older revolver and see how it does.

[MtGun44]

Bret and Badgerred are right on. Don't start at the max in an old, light framed gun.

I'd use about 3.0 as a starting load and unless this is your only self defense gun, I'd stay
there unless it is inaccurate or there are other problems. You will not see much difference
with the shooting using lighter loads and the gun will stay tight and in time a LOT longer.

Hodgdon says 3.2 = 815 fps and 3.8 = 915 fps which is fairly hot for a small framed old .38.

In a Ruger or modern S&W, you have a gun that is also chambered in .357 mag in the same
frame and cyl, so you can whomp up loads in .38 +P safely. The older metallurgy and just
sheer size (or lack thereof) of the frame and cyl ask for caution.

Bill

[shotman]

watch your powder measure close with the 3gr load titegroup is good but a little change makes for a BIG change -- shotman

[August]

I have used Titegroup in my .38 cowboy loads for the past two years. I really like it because it is neither temperature nor position sensitive. I started with 3.2 grain loads and they were wonderful and very easy to shoot out of the pistols. I had some Winchester '73 specific issues with loads that light and bumped them up to 3.9. That cleared up the issues with the '73, but they are pretty hot loads and I'm giving time away with the pistols in using a load this hot. I shoot Rooooger pistols, so I'm not concerned about intensity of the load. It is too hot, though.

I've since done some smithing on my '73 and am going to reduce the load next time I change the press over to load .38s. I'm going to go down to 3.5 this time around.

I think 3.8 is pretty hot behind a 158 and would put undue stress on you Police Positive.

[44minimum]

Appreciate the info guys. I've already got a box loaded with the 3.8 grain load but I guess I will shoot them in my 357 rifle. What I really love about this site, any kind of stupid question can be asked and certainly within a couple of hours, you will have at least one or two or maybe 1/2 dozen intelligent, reasonable answers from guys most likely have been through it before and know what they're talking about. This is a valuable thing.

[Uncle Jefro]

Howdy 44, I'm another one that has used 3.2 Titegroup as a cowboy load. I've since changed to 3.2 Red Dot for a little less recoil and cleaner burning, for the little lady. Like Shotman said "a little change makes for a BIG change". I shoot BP now (Schuetzen), you could put just enough BP under it, with about 1/16'' compression, for that old west flavor:Fire:. Good Luck.

Uncle Jefro:)

[shotman]

I load 45acp with a 200gr and 5gr of Titegroup. It is a good load They list 6gr for a 45 colt so you can see what 1gr does. I bought a dillon 650 and their powder measure adjustment SUCKS i got the uni adjuster and it works good and fast to set for Titegroup,and is good to 1/10 gr