Here are some target highlights from the handload tests. Targets where significant operator error was in evidence were not photographed but only the best efforts. There were lots of targets that started out with promise but came to grief with a bullet hole "off towards Jones." We certainly want to conserve pixels here on Defensive Carry Forum.

5-shot groups predominated because it was convenient to load one row from a 50 round box. Most groups were shot from 10 yards.

Here are examples of the best effort in the Smith & Wesson Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece. One each of the Green Dot load and Bulls-Eye load, the Green Dot load being on the left.

Plebeian Smith & Wesson Model 10s can group right along side the so called target models. One each of the Green Dot load and Bulls-Eye load, the Green Dot load again being on the left.

A slightly heavier, but still crisp, single action trigger and less user-friendly sights make shooting the oldie Smith & Wesson Military & Police from 1904 a bit more of a chore but it still turned in a decent performance with the Green Dot load (left) and Bulls-Eye load (right).

Here's the best effort with the Model 10 2-inch in single action mode at 10 yards with the 158 grain SWC/5.1 grains of Unique load.

Best single action group at 10 yards with the Model 14 using 158 grain SWC with 5.1 grains of Unique. A 6-shot group.

A double-action 6-shot group fired rapid-fire from 10 yards with the Model 10 and the 158 SWC/5.1 Unique load.

A more deliberate 6-shot double-action effort at 7 yards with the 5-inch M&P and the 158 gr. SWC/5/1 gr Unique load.

 

Good energy with the 158g / Unique load.

 

This is great info and a well done post....I am always interested in .38 special experimentation, as I load way, way more of them than any other
round I shoot. I am amazed at some of the data....I was surprised a few weeks ago when experimenting with my Model 36....which I seem to carry
more than anything else. Have you had occasion to test with some of the lighter weight projectiles? I have been really shooting a lot of 110gr. XTP lately, trying to get an accurate load that will also hold about 900+ fps....and at least penetrate a 2x4 at about 7 yards. Good luck and keep testing!

 

Thanks for the info bmc. I shot up some of my reloads using 5.4 grns of unique today. It felt lively out of my 64. I agree 100%, that the 158 swc is still a very viable cartridge. People who pass up a good 38 revolver are really missing out. My 38 is one of my favorite woods bumming cartridge here in Ky, and I believe it can handle about anything I might need a sidearm to do.

It is interesting that you notice 5.1 being hotter than 5.4, if I read what you said right. I am going to start chronographing some loads here soon.

 

Hi AZ Desertrat;

I played with 110 grain bullets back in the late 70s/early 80s and have kept the notes all these years which consists of experiments with two powders, Unique and Blue Dot. Due to the age of this data it would have to be rechecked after again working up to maximum. I later embraced the heavier lead SWC bullets so haven't played with light weight bullets in many years. Am hoping to gather up and test a few of the current factory offerings soon, especially the Speer short barrel stuff.

Here's data gathered in February of 1980 using the maximum charge of Unique listed for the Sierra 110 grain JHC bullet as found in the 1978 edition of the Sierra manual.

4-inch barrel:
MV 1295 fps
ME407 ft./lbs.

8 3/8-inch barrel:
MV 1434 fps
ME 500 ft./lbs

Maximum charge of Blue Dot and the same 110 grain Sierra JHC as published in the 1978 Sierra manual. This load was tested in the heat of a Texas summer as it is dated 6/23/80.

4-inch barrel:
MV 1388 fps
ME 470 ft./lbs

8 3/8-inch barrel:
MV1575 fps
ME 604 ft./lbs.

Both of these loads are really heavy by today's published data but were published loads (maximum, but published). I took the trouble to work up to these loads. Both would likely reach pretty far beyond the 900 fps goal you set for yourself, even if fired from a 2-inch snub. I still shoot both of the revolvers used in the tests 30 years ago, have used them in other experimental testing, so I suppose they may be considered to hold up to such loads. Won't list the loads here but if you don't turn up a green 1978 Sierra manual (the one in the 3-ring binder) then PM me if you like, at bryanmcgilvray@verison.net, and I'll pass on to you the minimum and maximum charges for both Unique and Blue Dot with the Sierra 110 grain bullet. Prudence dictates that one would carefully work up to such loads.

I show to have tested the Sierra 125 grain jacketed Soft point loaded with the maximum listed charge of Unique but only tested it for accuracy and pressure signs. Don't show a velocity recorded.

Some factory "light-bullet" loads tests for comparison

Super Vel

4-inch barrel:
MV 1237 fps
ME 376 ft./lbs.

8 3/8-inch barrel:
MV 1319 fps
ME 425 ft./lbs.

Winchester +P+ 110 grain JHP (the infamous "Treasury Load")

4-inch barrel
MV 1100 fps
ME 296 ft./lbs

8 3/8-inch barrel
MV 1228 fps
ME 368 ft./lbs.


Winchester +P 95 grain Silvertip factory load

2-inch barrel
958 fps
194 ft./lbs

4-inch barrel
MV 1096 fps
ME 293 ft./lbs

8 3/8-inch barrel
MV 1299fps
ME 356 ft./lbs

A recent retest of the Super Vel factory 110 grain JHP .38 Special ammunition

2-inch barrel
MV 981 fps
ME 216 ft./lbs.
ES 48
SD 28

4-inch barrel
MV 1195 fps
ME 349 ft./lbs.
ES 55
SD 22

6-inch barrel
MV 1248 fps
ME 380 ft./lbs.
ES 79
SD 45

8 3/8-inch barrel
MV 1301 fps
ME 414 ft./lbs.
ES 89
SD 37

Just to illustrate the blurred distinctions in some .357 Magnum loads and some .38 Special loads, here's a factory Speer Blazer 110 grain JSP .357 Magnum load fired out of a 6-inch barreled S&W Model 27. Also consider the quoted velocities of most 9mm loadings with bullets of similar weights, being 115 grains in weight.

MV 1116 fps
ME 304 ft./lbs.



Yeah Glockman10mm, that 5.1 grain charge of Unique was almost a bit disappointing because it registered so high. As I mentioned, I backtracked to see if something was amiss but found nothing. The load with the 158 grain bullet and 5.4 grains of Unique was definitely from the era prior to the reformulated "cleaner burning" Unique. In the past I couldn't tell any difference between old Unique and current production but something was up this time. I need to look and see if I have some "old" Unique lurking on the shelf and if I do then try the same load using it.

I love testing and working with the .38 Special. It really is an amazing round to be generally considered so common and hum-drum. Sometimes I wonder if it was actually watered down in recent times mostly so it wouldn't show up 9mm and wouldn't chomp so close at the heels of the .357 Magnum. Marketing, you understand.

 

Thanks.....I appreciate that info.

 

Good info, good report! Keep 'em coming.
FWIW, I settled on 5.2 Unique under 158 gr. in 357 as one of my more accurate range loads.

 

Hi FLSlim;

That's fundamentally the same load that I use in my .357 Magnums for range, field, and plinking use. I use 158 grain lead SWCs over 5.0 grains of Unique, put up in .357 Magnum cases.