[Gubba]

I am going to load 38 specials +p, S&W revolver. The bullets are 125gr FPBB lead/silver. The only powder I have on hand is Power Pistol and Bullseye. I having trouble cross referencing amounts for the charge. I had done some for plinking at about 3.8gr of Bulleye, but it felt like a "paper only" charge. HELP!

[robocop10mm]

Some manuals have +P loads listed. DO NOT simply up the charge to come up with what you think may be a +P load. Some powders can have pressure spikes that are unpredictable and catastrophic.

[c3shooter]

It is not just a case of "How much powder before it gets dangerous". If you are shooting a LEAD bullet, ONE limit is how fast you can drive it before it starts stripping thru the rifling, leading the hell out of the bore, and being VERY inaccurate. Jacket metal is harder, does not strip as easily. RARELY is the hottest load the most accurate.

Powder charge anounts and pressures generated are NOT a straight line- they are points plotted on a curve. Pressures are affected by a LOT of things- like the VOLUME in the case. A .357 mag case and a .38 Special case will give different pressures with the same powder charge and same bullet. .308 Winchester brass and 7.62 NATO brass have different internal volumes (due to thickness of brass, etc)

Do some research on line with the powder companies- some of my manuals DO list +P loads- but even a +P+ load in a .38 Special is still a ways from a .357 Mag load. If ya really want high energies, get a 357.

[BILLYBOB44]

On a personal note, I do not load lead bullets to +P pressures,fps. If you want max. speed/pressures, stick to jacketed bullets. Or spend hrs. on De-Leading your barrel.

[Gubba]

I'm not concerned with max pressures and thus far and really have not gotten into the +p range. The 3 1/2 gr. of Bullseye is accurate enough for "target" and is really easy on the hands with the "snubby", but was wondering what others have found to work for them, as this particular loading wouldn't dent a mouse at 3yds. Thanks.

[c3shooter]

Here ya go: 38 Special +P Load Data - Handloads.Com

[Gubba]

Wow, Thanks. This appears to be a great resource. Any help from those who know to those who want to know is so nice and I think much safer. Re-inventing the wheel, can sometimes cause a wheel to fall off. Not good with things that expode. Thanks again.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by Gubba

The bullets are 125gr FPBB lead/silver. HELP!

What are you shooting? Vampires?

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by RL357Mag

What are you shooting? Vampires?

Naw Ray, that would be 125gr FPBB lead/silver/garlic.

[Gubba]

I dipped them all in garlic but couldn't take the back draft so I stopped dipping. Listen, I have not been attacked by a vampire, so it must be working.