I'm working on some load development and was wondering if anyone here could give me an idea of what I'm working with. I've worked up a few 38 loads but they were all used in a 4 inch 357 magnum. I recently added a 38 snubby to my collection so I decided to rework my loads and I've worked them up to where they are suitable in both my guns.
When I was using them in a 357 I still worked up but the 357 handled max 38+p loads like nothing. The 38 snub has been a different story. I've gotten just under max but the max loads felt like they would be too much for the gun with extensive use. I'm using 158 grain cast SWCs from Missouri Bullets and worked up with Win 231 and HS6. Here is where I topped out.
4.2 grains Win 231 max standard pressure
4.5 grains 231 max +p
6.2 grains HS6 max standard pressure
6.5 grains HS6 max +p
The book max for +p is 4.7 grains 231 and 6.7 grains HS6. Lyman goes higher with 231 but 4.7 was the max with other sources. Both felt like they'd be too much over time. The HS6 seemed more forgiving than 231, I really don't feel I should go past 4.2 grains 231 period. I could probably go to the 6.7 max on HS6 but it would be for limited use.
It looks like 6.5 grains HS6 is going to be the winner when it comes to serious use.
Unfortunately I don't have a chronograph yet but I was hoping someone here could give me an idea of what velocities I can expect from these loads out of a snub nose?
I highly doubt 4.2 grains of 231 will hit even 800 fps from a 2 inch barrel. I do think 6.5 grains HS6 should get me above 800 fps. It is a +p load but just barely.
While every gun is different I found a thread where a guy was getting an average of 938 fps with 6.5 HS6 under a 158 swc from a 4 inch 686. Just guesstimating from those numbers I should hit over 800 easily from a 2 inch but maybe I'm wrong?
I guess the lesson here is that I really need to get a chronograph!