I'm not @Alpha Sierra, but Hodgdon's data shows a standard pressure starting load of 4.4 grains of CFE-P under a 158 LSWC as giving 927 fps from a 7.7" barrel. From a 4" gun I'd subtract 150-200 fps. They list two different 158 LSWCs and have the max standard pressure load at 5.0 and 5.3 grains with velocities of 1029 and 1048 respectively. They only list one +P load with a 158 Hornady XTP over 5.4 grains and 986 fps.
For a given powder charge, you'll get the highest velocities with lead bullets (either coated or plain), the lowest with jacketed, and plated will fall somewhere in between. My preference would be for coated lead. I'd probably go with a traditional LSWC or LTC profile. WFN bullets are out there, but they tend to be offered at boutique prices. These plated TCs would be worth checking out if you want to stay away from lead and would be close to the Speer bullet.
860 fps avg with a Speer lead SWC from a 4" Model 64
I've since switched to truncated cone 158 gr coated bullets from SNS Casting. They slide in more easily from a speedloader and the coating (any coated bullet really) really cuts down on smoke and airborne lead.
I'm currently burning through an old can of 700-X that I got for a song, but as soon as I get rid of it I'm going back to CFE-P which is my powder of choice for 38 Special and 9X19
Last edited by Alpha Sierra; 02-14-2019 at 07:27 AM.
4.6 grains of BE-86 behind a Georgia Arms cast 158 grain SWC yields an average of 882 FPS from my 4" GP-100 and is the maximum standard pressure .38 load listed. I use this for practice in all of my .38/.357 revolvers.
I have Alliant load data that lists 200 gr LRN for 2400.
38 spl plus P
Rem SP
OAL 1.54
7.1 grs 2400
890 fps/5.6" barrel
17.5K PSI
That's within the 20K standard for plus P.
I think there are better powders for your application tho.
Last edited by Borderland; 04-18-2019 at 11:52 AM.
I have some SnS 158gr coated and 160gr Matt’s that are waiting to be loaded up. I usually use Unique, but have a can of CFE Pistol I picked up along the way. Does it meter well? That’s my gripe with Unique. It’s like metering rocks.
”But in the end all of these ideas just manufacture new criminals when the problem isn't a lack of criminals.” -JRB
These pages are from Mike Venturinos research. Duplicate with caution, and keep this sort of stuff out of J & K frames. Some of it seems a bit light compared to the 1930s data.