.38 Super loads

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jgh4445

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I'm about to start loading for the Super. Its not a Super Comp. I want to use it as a paper puincher but also as a carry, especially when in the woods on my lease. Coyotes, 2 and 4 legged, feral dogs, hogs etc,. Looking thru my manuals but some real world experience and advice would be appreciated. Makes the learning curve a bit less sharp!
 
I load for the .45 Super. Load data for that was scarce...as in almost non-existent. I found some over at AmmoGuide.com and was able to workup a load from there. I did have to buy a membership to get to the data.

.40
 
jgh4445 said:
I'm about to start loading for the Super. Its not a Super Comp. I want to use it as a paper puincher but also as a carry, especially when in the woods on my lease. Coyotes, 2 and 4 legged, feral dogs, hogs etc,. Looking thru my manuals but some real world experience and advice would be appreciated. Makes the learning curve a bit less sharp!
Click to expand...

I'm in the infancy stages of loading for this round as well. Kinda picked a lousy time to get back into handloading, especially since I have zero experience with handgun ammo and haven't done any loading in 15+ years. Interested to see what you come up with. My plan is to try to utilize 124-125 gr bullets. I've ordered some Speer TMJ RN and Montana Gold JHP. Most of the powders that caught my eye aren't available locally, so I picked up some CFE pistol and hs-6. My goal is to push them accurately in the 1350 fps range. Do you have any specs you're trying to achieve, or just looking for accuracy?
 
The two links fxvr5 posted above are excellent. Good info on both loads and best powders. I'm going to try some of them after a bit of research on them. I also belong to load data and will see what they have to say. I'm going for about the same as you. I have a bunch of RMR 124 JHP's that I want to drive at about 1300. I have CFE Pistol, Titegroup, HS-6 Power Pistol and AA 5 and 7. Surely I can find something that my pistol likes. As I said, real world experience helps to hear about. Thanks for all the replies.
 
I guess where I get lost the most is looking at loads that seem pretty milquetoast compared to some factory offerings from the boutique manufacturers. Seems like everything points to loads that are safe for unramped, unsupported barrels and are a good bit lighter than some of those factory loads.
 
Even in an unramped barrel, you can shoot a pretty stout load. Just use good quality brass and keep an eye out for pressure signs.
 
Which brass is used, matters, as noted in the second link I posted.

The recommended strongest brass is Starline 38 Super +P, for those who want the original semi-rimmed brass.

The recommended strongest rimless brass is Starline 38 Supercomp.
 
jgh4445 said:
Even in an unramped barrel, you can shoot a pretty stout load. Just use good quality brass and keep an eye out for pressure signs.
Click to expand...

Right. I'm running a ramped/fully supported barrel, so none of the loading manuals are really scaring me with the data. If anything, I'm left kinda underwhelmed with what they offer.
 
I've been using Vihtavuori N 105 as in the Shooting Times article (2nd link) with almost identical results.
 
hondavf1000r said:
I've been using Vihtavuori N 105 as in the Shooting Times article (2nd link) with almost identical results.
Click to expand...

That woulda been my preference to try, had I been able to find some locally. Haven't ruled it out, so if what I have doesn't get me in the ballpark I may be inclined to pay the $60/lb shipped w/hazmat.
 
I too couldn't find Vihtavuori N 105 within 50 miles. So, I waited til Midway had a Hazmat Fee Special of $10.99 and free shipping over $49.
Both Midway and Brownells used to do that from time to time. But, in this madhouse now, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Blue Dot is also good, but, you have to weigh every charge. Vihtavuori N 105 meters very well.
 
Got into 38 Super a little over a year ago, my two favorite loads so far are:
115gr Hornady HAP bullet, Starline +p brass and 5.2gr. of titegroup for target shooting.
125gr. Hornady XTP bullet, same brass and 9.6gr. of AA#7 for serious work.
Both loads have been so good I stopped trying other powders.
 
On a sideline to this...
I've been wanting to use Sport Pistol in 38Super, but Alliant doesn't publish that. I've written to them to request said data, but just wondering where else I might look ?
 
I did have some data for Bluedot that was intriguing but 1300fps was in the upper range with a 5" barrel. Definitely interested in AA 7, but the local place only carries Hodgdon/Winchester lines.
 
Blue Dot will get you 1300+ fps with a 124 grain bullet. Max loads and need to be individually weighed. I would not do it with anything but new brass and a fully supported chamber
 
I've been loading .38 Super for decades. Love it. It's a great caliber if you're a hand loader. I have not had a problem finding data - seems to be in every manual I have. Like above, during the LAST panic, I discovered Vit. N-105. What a great powder for the Super! I think I had the most fun when I loaded some 90 grain jacketed hollow points that I had sitting around for a 9mm. The data I found gave me right around 1500 FPS with that light bullet. Not a lot of recoil and it was surprisingly accurate. Generally though, I have loaded 130 grain jacketed RN. Here are some of my working loads. Remember these are my own hand loads, mostly for punching paper - USE/MODIFY AT YOUR OWN RISK!

(Loaded for a Kimber Pro Carry HD)

.38 Super
Bullet Mfg. Type Charge Powder ~FPS COL Notes
90 gr. Hornady HP XTP 7.1 W231 1525 1.22 Functions perfectly, accurate.
115 gr. Montana FMJRN 5.5 Bullseye 1275 1.245 Functions perfectly, accurate.
115 gr. Montana FMJRN 6.1 W231 1240 1.239 Functions perfectly, accurate.
130 gr. Remington FMJRN 8.3 Blue Dot 1100 1.265 Hot, muzzle flash, accurate.
130 gr. Remington FMJRN 5.0 Bullseye 1150 1.265 Groups well.
130 gr. Remington FMJRN 9.4 VV N105 1343 1.265 Good load. Accurate.
130 gr. Remington FMJRN 5.3 W231 1100 1.265 Accurate. Reliable.
 
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