38 special FBI load

[Tex62]

Howdy,

I have come across some swaged lead 158g HP bullets and thought it would interesting to try some +P loads. These would be shot from a 2" snub S&W.

I have Bullseye, Unique, and HP-38 on hand. Which powder would give the best performance at max load for a 2" barrel?

Thanks, Marty

 

[TimSr]

My very first handloads were Speer cold swaged, 158gr SWCHP over 3.8 Bullseye and 4.0gr Bullseye for a 6" Security Six and they leaded like crazy at @800fps and accuracy was extremely poor.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but I'll be curious as to your results.

 

[medic15al]

Of those 3 I would try Unique first. Power Pistol and some other medium burners may be better, but velocity is limited from a 2in Barrel. SR-4756 has shown promise but I'm not real sure it is made anymore.

ETA It is on the IMR reloading data website so It may still be available.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I developed a FBI Load replica a few years back and I got very good results with HS-6. I used 158gr LSWC/HP bullets from both Hornady and Speer, both are accurate.

I would try HS-6, Power Pistol or AA#5 for the best results. Of the powders you list Unique is the slowest so the best suited. Good luck.

 

[Tex62]

Thanks. I thought Unique would probably be recommended, but I was not sure what was best for the short barrel. My local gun shop does have some Power Pistol in stock, I will have to look into that too.

 

[Rule3]

Here ya go, this should give you some information,


http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/91534-duplicating-buffalo-bore-fbi-load.html

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

My favorite recipe for my .38 is 3.5 grains of bullsye pushing a 158 SWC. At 1.465 I get 850 + out of my smith 442 with a 17/8 barrel. And around 920 with my GP 100. The loads meters about perfectly in my powder thrower.

 

[Steve C]

I'd use HP38 or Unique. +P loads chrono'd results from my Colt DS 2" gives me 800 fps +/- a few fps using 4.5gr to 4.7gr of W231 (same as HP38) and 5.0gr to 5.2grs of Unique with Speers 158gr LSWCHP If using a Winchester primer.

 

[USSR]

I pretty much duplicated the FBI load using HS-6 (Arch's load of 7.0gr), AA#5 (6.4gr) and Unique (5.6gr). Hope that helps.

Don

 

[mdi]

I believe those soft lead bullets will lead terribly if you tried to shoot them with "FBI" velocities. For those velocities, around 1,000 fps, a cast bullet would be much better...

 

[USSR]

mdi,

With a 2" snub velocities will be about 900fps, and as long as the bullets aren't undersized for the gun they should be alright.

Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I believe those soft lead bullets will lead terribly if you tried to shoot them with "FBI" velocities. For those velocities, around 1,000 fps, a cast bullet would be much better...

The +P designation refers to pressure, not velocity.
The FBI Load is rated at 890/900 fps, not 1000 fps.

Like said above, if the bullet fits well in the barrel you will not get leading. I shoot soft swaged bullets in the .38 Special at +P pressures and velocities over 900 fps without leading. It is worse to load a bullet that is too hard than a soft bullet. It will produce more leading. Another reason for leading, low quality lube or not enough lube. When you get leading near the muzzle of the barrel look to the lube.

 

[Tex62]

Rule3, that link provides some neat history on the loadings, thanks.

I will probably just try loading up with the Unique I have on hand. This will only be shot in the 2" revolvers I have.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[mdi]

Seems to be differing opinions about soft swaged bullets driven to +P velocities (yep I know +P deals with chamber pressures). So, I'd suggest the OP go to "The Place" for lead bullet (boolit) knowledge; http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

 

[TimSr]

Ill add that I have had great results with Zero brand cold swaged 158gr SWC (.358") from the same gun I had all the leading with Speer bullets in. Unless there was a difference in cold swaged hardness, the only other difference I can point to is the bullet lube was different. I never pursued it because I did not feel compelled to use Speer bullets that were 4 or 5 times the cost of bulk bullets.

The problem with cast lead in a SWCHP is it doesn't have to get very hard before the HP shatters instead of expanding.

 

[USSR]

The problem with cast lead in a SWCHP is it doesn't have to get very hard before the HP shatters instead of expanding.

That's why I cast my own SWCHP's. The commercial casters basically only offer bullets cast from a high antimony 12BHN or 18BHN alloy. Now, you have to understand that Elmer Keith's .44 Magnum loads used bullets softer than that. I pretty much eliminate the antimony and put a lot of tin in the alloy, and I can get expansion without shattering.

Don

 

[au_prospector]

His load calculations for his BB FBI clone loads are in the 26000-27000 psi range. This is getting up there into the .357 mag range and well above normal +P pressure for .38 spl. Is that a copper gas check on his lead bullet in the picture?

Proceed with caution. As always YMMV.

 

[kerreckt]

Soft cast bullets will not lead if they are of proper diameter and not too hard. I shoot cast bullets in everything including 10mm and get no leading when I size and cast correctly.

 

[USSR]

Soft cast bullets will not lead if they are of proper diameter and not too hard.

Yep, entirely too much emphasis placed on BHN exclusively. There's a reason they say "Fit is King".

Don

 

[jim8115]

fbi

I use zero swaged 158 swc/hp with 5.4 Gr of power pistol. 920 FPS from a 4" barrel. Doesnt lead at all