Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .38 Special High Speed

The latest Sierra manual gives +P 38 Special load with 158s at 1150-1200fps. and 170s to 1100 out of their 5.5 inch receiver.

There is no earthy reason in adequate revolvers the 38 Special cant be loaded to 3/4 the pressure level of the 9mm Federal rimmed without a hitch.

I generally use 5.5 grs Lonshot and a 172 cast bullet for the 38/44 HD, Outdoorsman and the 8 3/4 inch 14, although Ive used 10.5 grs. 2400 in all and the Colt OMM with the same bullet.

Other than the 357 making more noise and racket, the 38 case is perfectly adequate, plus all those 38's handle that bullet where many 357s wont. Rugers, Smith L frames and K frames do.