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Thread: .38 special "FBI" load
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May 28th, 2021, 05:42 PM #1
.38 special "FBI" load
Disclaimer: Come on man, boomer here and I know it's 2021, and ammo has made many advancements since the 60's.
Short story. Yes there's a longer one.
I've looked and attempted to work with this load for...awhile.
Basic info is a 158 gr swchp going 800 fps. or so.
Had loading data I've done from over the years, but the one thing that plum eluded me was the bullet itself.
I've tried various swc's, even attempting to drill the hp's.
Enter the info that the bullets should be very soft. One company even swagged them for the load.
When a 158 gr .359 mold with cramer pins from those crazy Slovenians at MP molds came available I got one.
Mixed up some 40:1, bhn coming in around 7. Mold dropped them .358 at exactly 158 grs.
From my work before and most importantly powder on hand, 5.0 grs. of Unique with a cci primer and firm crimp over the chrono showed an average of 792 fps out of my 2" Colt agent. That load used to be classic standard but now a mild +P.
At 10 yds. sights right on.
100_0822 1.jpg
Now the what made me me smile was the expanded bullet in the lower right corner. Through 2 layers of denim, 2 water jugs, a slim 1/8" or so piece of wood into a box filled with packing crap at 7 yds. Came through that weighing 155 grs.
Not high end testing but results were beyond what I expected.Last edited by cephas; May 29th, 2021 at 06:31 AM. Reason: data change
It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
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May 28th, 2021, 08:00 PM #2Senior Member
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Re: .38 special "FBI" load
That's beyond what I would have expected too at that velocity!
Now.................shoot that at 25 feet at a windshield with the sound proofing layer into the same media. If it penetrates the auto glass intact, I wonder how much effectiveness it would have on a target in the driver's seat?Engineers make things idiot proof! Evolution makes better idiots!
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May 28th, 2021, 08:06 PM #3
Re: .38 special "FBI" load
Powder coat them.
The Gun is the Badge of a Free Man
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May 28th, 2021, 08:32 PM #4
Re: .38 special "FBI" load
I was thinking I had a box of these in the safe, but realized I have the Treasury version..
Fun Times back then..
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May 28th, 2021, 11:07 PM #5Grand Member
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Re: .38 special "FBI" load
I dont have a book in front of me but 8 grains of unique seems pretty hot.
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May 28th, 2021, 11:41 PM #6
Re: .38 special "FBI" load
2004 Alliant guide shows 4.2 or so for 158g lead. I've loaded 158g lswc that I've cast and I don't think I even went over 4 with unique. Not near a box to see at the moment.
Cephas, great rundown. Thanks for sharing that. I picked up some 148g wc to load in 38 special. I'll probably use unique although I did find some bullseye a little while back.
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May 29th, 2021, 06:34 AM #7
Re: .38 special "FBI" load
Last edited by cephas; May 29th, 2021 at 06:44 AM.
It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
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May 29th, 2021, 06:36 AM #8
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May 29th, 2021, 07:21 AM #9
Re: .38 special "FBI" load
Good, dependable defensive load.
I was given a bunch of these. Stout for a. 38 Special but very controllable with excellent performance.
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May 29th, 2021, 07:32 AM #10Senior Member
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Re: .38 special "FBI" load
DANGER>>>>DUKE IS RIGHT!!!
I used 5.0 grs.
Hoppy is in todays range.
My mistake and a reason to double check any load given on the net.
It happens cephas! Please don't lower yourself and enter politics!!!Engineers make things idiot proof! Evolution makes better idiots!
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