Subsonic .38Spl Rifle load

[Random 8]

Looking to work up a subsonic load for my 22" barrel Henry single shot. Not going suppressed or anything, just want to play with the concept over springtime layoff, fun to ding steel in the back yard with poof.....clank effect and simulate longer range holdovers and wind calls. Would like to use existing components to test the concept, but if it's fun, would be open to expanding my inventory going forward.

I have: HP-38, Red Dot, Power Pistol, Unique which could be suitable. Also have a quantity of Magtech 158RN lead which are quite soft and some home-cast 148HBWC which are also quite soft.

 

[mdi]

Most all standard 38 Specials' velocity is below speed of sound; 1125 fps. Some +P loads approach 1,100 fps but most do not. Perhaps look for a load with minimal muzzle blast? Light loads with faster powders?

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

From a rifle, maybe H4227. Per Hodgdon, 9-10 gr gives 887-983 FPS from a 7.7” pistol. That should be about 1000 to1100 FPS from a rifle barrel.

 

[buck460XVR]

From a rifle, maybe H4227. Per Hodgdon, 9-10 gr gives 887-983 FPS from a 7.7” pistol. That should be about 1000 to1100 FPS from a rifle barrel.

From my experience, IMR4227(there is no H4227 anymore) does not like to be lightly loaded in small cases, nor does it particularly like lead, even in carbines. Unique would be my first choice.

 

[Random 8]

I was having a brain fart this morning and forgot what the speed of sound is. I guess I'm already there with a softer load of HP-38 LOL.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

From my experience, IMR4227(there is no H4227 anymore) does not like to be lightly loaded in small cases, nor does it particularly like lead, even in carbines. Unique would be my first choice.

My mistake on the name, but it’s been the same thing for a while now. I like unique as well, but don’t count out IMR 4227 in 38 special long barrels. I had 10 left over from the last time I loaded any; 158 gr LRN w/ 9.8 gr IMR 4227. I took them outside and shot them through my .357 big boy w/20” barrel and got the following results @ 30 yds.



The first 5 shots were to sight in the factory sights. The second 5 were for accuracy off a fence post in my back yard. It may not be sniper rifle accuracy, but not bad.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I was having a brain fart this morning and forgot what the speed of sound is. I guess I'm already there with a softer load of HP-38 LOL.

HP-38 should work great. Even at max load, you should be below 1150 FPS. Probably under 1000.