Page 1 of 13 12311 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 123

Thread: Keith's heavy .38

  1. #1
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    New Hampshire

    Keith's heavy .38

    How safe is Keith's .38 special load in modern guns like m10s and m64s?

    I'm referring to the 168 grain cast Keith bullet over 13.5 grains of 2400 in .38 special brass.

  2. #2
    Site Supporter
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    In the desert, looking for water.
    Wow. Is that load in any modern reloading manuals? Because that sounds like a .357 recipe I’ve used.

  3. #3
    Site Supporter PNWTO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    E. WA
    Off the cuff, since I'm away from the literature, that sounds like it would be into .357 loadings. Keith ran his guns into the ground and was fortunate to have a Pez dispenser supply line of pistols that were sent his way.
    "Do nothing which is of no use." -Musashi

    What would TR do? TRCP BHA

  4. #4
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Yeah, after a little more looking it's meant for "pre N frame" n frames like the .38/44

    I just remembered Keith and later Taffin writing about it.

    Of course Buffalo Bore has their 158 grain swc pushing 1200fps in a legit .38 load.

  5. #5
    First, remember you're talking about Elmer Keith. He blew up a lot of revolvers.

    I pulled out a couple of old Speer manuals that have some hot loads, and the heaviest charge was 10 grains of 2400 in .38 Special with a 160 grain bullet. I think that was one of Keith's loads for N-Frames only. They loaded long on Special brass to get magnum velocities because .357 brass was scarce. Those are .357 magnum pressure loads. I would never run something like that in a non magnum K-Frame.

  6. #6
    Member Wheeler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Jawja
    The main reason I acquired a model 28 was to play around with some of the .38/44 and Keith loads. I wouldn’t run some of them in my 686.
    Men freely believe that which they desire.
    Julius Caesar

  7. #7
    I know this in not from the reloading side of this topic but this is still partially related. Recently shot this Underwood load. It made for a very unpleasant sensation in my had when using my 640. To be honest it was pretty snappy coming out of my 4" 66 to. Attachment 29268

  8. #8
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Quote Originally Posted by Wheeler View Post
    The main reason I acquired a model 28 was to play around with some of the .38/44 and Keith loads. I wouldn’t run some of them in my 686.
    I would think if it was a .357 it would be fine

  9. #9
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Pg 69 of Taffins "Big Bore Handguns" clearly states that the load I posted in the OP is only safe in the 38/44, colts new service and single action army.

    Probably should have reread that chapter before posting.

  10. #10
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Quote Originally Posted by $teve View Post
    I know this in not from the reloading side of this topic but this is still partially related. Recently shot this Underwood load. It made for a very unpleasant sensation in my had when using my 640. To be honest it was pretty snappy coming out of my 4" 66 to. Attachment 29268
    Yeah, I think Underwood and Buffalo Bore load with fairy dust.

    I'd love to figure out a way to load that myself.

User Tag List

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •