.38 special SD load recommendations

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Makoman

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Just purchased my first wheelgun in a long time, a SW model 67-1. So what's your favourite flavour of SD load for a 4" .38?
 
The old 158 grain lead hollow point semi-wadcutter +P load (FBI load) has an excellent reputation. Also the more modern Speer Gold Dot 135 grain load developed for the NYC is good.
 
I currently have some Winchester PDX1 in my 67, handloaded 135gr Speer Gold Dots (short barrel load) or Remington Golden Sabers in others.
 
I also use Winchester PDX1 130 gr. +P and Speer Short Barrel 135 gr. +P Gold Dots in my J frame snubbies.
 
RON in PA said:
The old 158 grain lead hollow point semi-wadcutter +P load (FBI load) has an excellent reputation. Also the more modern Speer Gold Dot 135 grain load developed for the NYC is good.
Click to expand...
This is the round I'm leaning toward myself.
 
The old timer's standard, 158SWCHP plus-P. My model 60 shoots them where I'm pointing.
A plus considering fixed sights.
 
The .38 Special that I have is most likely to be used against someone invading my home so it is loaded with Glaser safety slugs. The Safety Slugs are designed to cause large, shallow, incapacitating wounds that are unlikely to be fatal so the criminal gets to face justice (and I avoid a wrongful death civil suit from the thug's family) and virtually no chance of the round penetrating the wall and killing a family member if I miss.

Once those are expended, I fall back to a 158 grain jacketed hollow point on top of 4.0 grains of Bullseye. I know Bullseye is now hard to find, but these were loaded in 1993. Hi-Skor 700-X and Titegroup have similar burn rates, are more readily available and load data is widely published.

Please note that some manuals (i.e. Hornady 4th Edition, Hercules 1992 guide) classify 4.0 grains of Bullseye as a +P load while others (i.e. Sierra 11th Edition, Data included with Lee dies) do not. As always, consult published data and work up loads from starting load figures (or if starting loads are not given, reduce the shown charge by 10%) checking for pressure signs on each test firing.

I find loading .38 Special particularly unnerving because the powder charges are so small that there is a real possibility of a double (or even triple) charge and a double charge might not be picked up by visual inspection prior to bullet seating or check-weighing after loading. My reloading checklist has a special section for .38 Special that includes a second visual inspection from a different angle and random check-weighing of the powder charge before seating bullets to minimize the possibility of a double charge.
 
We tested the FBI load as loaded by Winchester and Remington and found the Remington had more velocity and expanded better due to it's softer lead. This was from a j frame snubby. No doubt fired from a 4" service revolver the Winchester would suffice.
 
Buffalo Bore's version of the 158gr +P LSWCHP would be my pick. I stick to the standard pressure (which is like most other +P loads) for my lightweight gun.
 
S&W 67-1 is a great revolver, I have one myself. In single action I can shoot it better than anything else in my collection. It should not flinch at +p ammunition and remain comfortable to shoot with almost any commercially available loads. If mine were pressed back into service for home defense it would probably be with some version of the 158gr +p semi wadcutter hollow point. I believe the Winchester and Remington versions are watered down now and would look to Underwood Ammo or Buffalo Bore for a premium variety. Even their standard pressure variety would be an excellent choice, that's what I use in my snubby where recoil is problematic.

I believe the Remington Golden Saber 125gr +p jhp is a pretty good choice too. It is more commonly available and seems to perform well, it's also the preferred choice of my significant other. I favor the heavier 158gr bullets in .38 special for penetration but if I ran out of my preferred carry load I would not hesitate to use it.
 
Depending on accuracy I have several loads I like and use. The FBI Load is still a viable choice. I like Speer GDHP ammo and I also like the old Federal Nyclad ammo too. I have and carry all 3 in different revolvers, again depending on accuracy.
 
hdwhit said:
..........I find loading .38 Special particularly unnerving because the powder charges are so small that there is a real possibility of a double (or even triple) charge and a double charge might not be picked up by visual inspection prior to bullet seating or check-weighing after loading. My reloading checklist has a special section for .38 Special that includes a second visual inspection from a different angle and random check-weighing of the powder charge before seating bullets to minimize the possibility of a double charge.
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I haven't reloaded any 38 Special yet, but I plan to. Having read what you posted, are there different powders that have more "volume" for the appropriate charge, making it easier to notice? If my memory from years ago is right, "Unique powder" was suggested by someone, for this reason, rather than Bullseye.

Is this a condition that an RCBS Lockout Die would catch?
 
If I used .38 Specials for defense, I would take a very hard look at this ammo . . . but not having personal experience with the manufacturer, right now I can't endorse it.

38%20Special%20Plus%20P%20%2020%20Rnds%20LR.jpg

It's a commercially loaded version of the old backwards HBWC. Years ago I handloaded a similar load, and every medium I tried it in showed excellent performance. And - contrary to internet fables - it never showed any sign of tumbling.
 
I usually go with SWCHP with a stout charge. However after running a few drills with the FBI load and lighter loads with a shot timer, my accuracy and shot placement is much better with lighter loads.

I shoot the crap out of my snub from 5' to 100 yards and think a more mild load is best. Out of my 66 or 10, hotter stuff is fine.

Currently have some old nyclads in the gun with either a speedloader of the same or a speed strip of fbi loads in a pocket.

In reality, it probably makes little difference. Practice a lot. I keep my hand loaded FBI loads in my cup holder in the truck so I can slip one back in the gun after shooting at rocks, squirrels, etc.

HB
 
HankB said:
If I used .38 Specials for defense, I would take a very hard look at this ammo . . . but not having personal experience with the manufacturer, right now I can't endorse it ... It's a commercially loaded version of the old backwards HBWC. Years ago I handloaded a similar load, and every medium I tried it in showed excellent performance. And - contrary to internet fables - it never showed any sign of tumbling.
Click to expand...
I found loads similar to this to have too much expansion and not enough penetration.

Kevin
 
You've heard this already here, but...

The 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint, loaded +P, has a good track record and shoots well in most revolvers. It's sometimes called the FBI load, or the Chicago load, or the Dallas load, and probably has other names. It was widely used by law enforcement back when cops packed revolvers.
 
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