12/31/2022 – Things are not always as they seem. The forecast was for two days of heavy snow fall. Equipment was prepped, I got up around 5:30 AM, put on my snow clearing gear and walked outside to 1/4″ of snow on the ground under black skies, but no more snowfall.
Climbing out of snow gear and making a sausage, mushroom, cheese omelette to consume with a cup of coffee were the greatest efforts of the morning. The thought was, “Another bad forecast”, but still better than anticipated. Working at a computer in front of a window, watching snow fall at blizzard levels without let up for the next 7 hours restored my faith in the weatherman.
Clearing snow under darkened skies, tractor lights on, creeping along with the diesel running maximum RPM, watching the snow blower gobbling up and spew a path through perfect ebbs and drifts. It’s very satisfying. Especially clearing the four foot wake left by town plow truck at the street.
How friends see you…
My friends gave me a guitar and amp for my birthday. Which is curious, as I can’t read music, do not know how to play anything that makes music, other than the radio. Even then, I sometimes forget to pay my Sirius bill.
I am 77 years old. Google search result authorities tell me it takes 20 years, practicing at least 2 hours each day, to become guitar playing proficient. Do the math. But there was no malice intended. They just know, that in the absence of turmoil and consternation, my brain isn’t engaged and therefor explodes… Then I drive them crazy.
So figuring out why Humbuckers and 6 strings exist, how to use a digital tuner, and how to play in tune when only one ear works, will keep me occupied until Joe Bonamassa attends my concerts to absorb the ambient cool… or I play in concert with Beth Hart, “I’ll Take Care Of You”. So I’m just penciling January 2043 into my schedule.
Bullet Selection
The work on Part II began with a review of Part I bullet and powder selections. I go on autopilot from time to time, so I researched and audited what I blabbered so far, looked at other possibilities and made adjustments as necessary.
The original bullet selection, above.L-R Speer 110 Grain JHP, Speer 125 Grain JHP, Berry 148 grain double end wad cutter, Speer 158 grain JSP .
Data sheets would have eliminated all but the the 110 grain bullet from personal protection, relegating the others to target work. However, the Speer reloading manual and others revived all but the 158 grain, even endorsing the 148 grain wad cutter for pest control and for self defense.
Speer stipulated all but the 158 grain in its +P section, substituting lead cast at the 158 grain weight for reduced bore friction. Both jacketed soft point and hollow base soft point and hollow based wad cutter were delisted. The former because of high bore friction and the latter because of bullet base disfigurement at a revolver’s forcing cone.
There were many sources expressing concern with lightly loaded ammunition causing a bore stuck bullet condition. Hodgdon data did not contradict Speer data, with the exception of listing 158 grain cast bullets in their 38 Special standard pressure section. Unfortunately, Hodgdon used a 7.5″ test barrel when accumulating their short barrel handgun listings.
Final selection…
The Hornady XTP was added as a deeper penetrating 110 grain bullet. The 140 XTP was added as a jacketed heavy weight in place of the 158 grain JHP. The 158 grain Acme cast was added in deference to multiple reloading manual advice to reduce bore friction with cast bullets.
The plain hard cast with lube groove was selected over the no lube groove coated version of this bullet to minimize bearing surface friction. The velocity is low enough for leading not to be a problem. The Hunter’s Supply PHP was added because it is made from a much softer alloy than the Acme bullet and will expand at relatively low velocity.
Bullets are listed on the table, top to bottom as they appear above pictured left to right.
| Bullet | Type | Weight Grains |
Length “ | Seating Depth” |
Net Grains Capacity |
COL” |
| Hornady HP/XTP #35700 | JHP | 110 | 0.490 | 0.170 | 18.8 | 1.465 |
| Speer Gold Dot #4009 | JHP | 110 | 0.530 | 0.240 | 17.0 | 1.435 |
| Speer Gold Dot #4013 | JHP | 125 | 0.522 | 0.205 | 17.0 | 1.460 |
| Hornady XTP #35740 | JHP | 140 | 0.600 | 0.310 | 15.6 | 1.455 |
| Berry double ended #68188 | WC | 148 | 0.555 | 0.555 | 9.3 | 1.155 |
| Acme Cast | SWC | 158 | 0.720 | 0.385 | 13.4 | 1.480 |
| Hunter’s Supply Cast | PHP | 158 | 0.625 | 0.355 | 14.5 | 1.430 |
And then…
The 38 Special cartridge is a good one for the novice handloader and the experienced. It is easy to assemble precisely, powder consumption if minor, bullets are inexpensive, brass is long lasting. Results commensurate to care in assembly are apparent and measurable.
The handloading process was routine. New Starline brass was used for all. All cases were sized, expanded, mouth reamed, and roll crimped. I did not calculate kinetic energy, as I thought it was irrelevant as punching holes in target requires little and self defense, with this type of cartridge, relies on 10″ to 12″ of penetration, with expansion where applicable a big plus.
I did not shoot with measured 5 shot group size, but rather relied on 5 shots hitting on a standard playing card at 10 yards a passing grade and a prerequisite for being listed on the table.
Handload Data
Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity, pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may be excessive in others.
All loads should be reduced by 5% as a starting point for development where cartridges have greater than 40 grains in capacity and 10% for cartridges with less than 40 grain capacity following safe handloading practices as represented in established mainstream reloading manuals. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.
| Cartridge: 38 Special & 38 Special (17kpsi Standard & 20kpsi +P) |
|
| Firearm | S&W Model 442 – SKU162810 |
| Barrel Length | 1.875″ |
| Min – Max Case Length | 1.155″ +0.0″/-0.020″ |
| Min – Max Cartridge Length | 1.275″ – 1.550″ |
| Primer | CCI 500 |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.3590″ Lead – 0.3580″ Jacketed +0.000″/-0.0030″ |
| Reloading Dies | Lee Precision |
| Bullet Type |
Bullet Weight Grains |
Net H2O Grains Capacity |
COL” | Powder Type | Powder Charge Grains |
Predicted MV FPS** |
Actual MV FPS |
| Hornady HP/XPT | 110 | 18.8 | 1.465 | CFE Pistol | 6.8 | 1283 | 901 |
| Hornady HP/XPT +P | 110 | 18.8 | 1.465 | CFE Pistol | 7.0 | 1303 | 1093 |
| Hornady HP/XPT | 110 | 18.8 | 1.465 | Power Pistol | 6.5 | 950 | 914 |
| Hornady HP/XPT +P | 110 | 18.8 | 1.465 | Power Pistol | 7.5 | 1100 | 1070 |
| Speer Gold Dot JHP | 110 | 17.0 | 1.435 | Unique | 5.8 | 936 | 828 |
| Speer Gold Dot JHP+P | 110 | 17.0 | 1.435 | Unique | 6.3 | 1192 | 967 |
| Speer Gold Dot JHP | 110 | 17.0 | 1.435 | Power Pistol |
6.6 | 1074 | 944 |
| Speer Gold Dot JHP +P | 110 | 17.0 | 1.435 | Power Pistol |
7.4 | 1192 | 995 |
| Speer Gold Dot | 125 | 17.4 | 1.440 | Unique |
5.7 | 980 | 752 |
| Speer Gold Dot +P | 125 | 17.4 | 1.440 | Unique | 6.0 | 1082 | 776 |
| Speer Gold Dot | 125 | 17.4 | 1.440 | Power Pistol |
6.1 | 1,012 | 810 |
| Speer Gold Dot+P | 125 | 17.4 | 1.440 | Power Pistol |
6.8 | 1.082 | 891 |
| Hornady XTP | 140 | 15.6 | 1.455 | CFE Pistol | 5.7 | 1008 | 800 |
| Hornady XTP +P | 140 | 15.6 | 1.455 | Hodgdon Longshot | 6.4 | 1126 | 846 |
| Hornady XTP | 140 | 15.6 | 1.455 | Power Pistol | 6.1 | 900 | 831 |
| Hornady XTP +P | 140 | 15.6 | 1.455 | Power Pistol | 6.7 | 1000 | 934 |
| Berry Double Ended | 148 | 9.3 | 1.155 | Hodgdon HP38 | 3.2 | 801 | 572 |
| Acme Cast SWC | 158 | 13.4 | 1.480 | Power Pistol | 5.4 | 948 | 787 |
| Acme Cast SWC +P | 158 | 13.4 | 1.480 | Power Pistol | 6.0 | 1037 | 885 |
| Acme Cast SWC | 158 | 13.4 | 1.480 | CFE Pistol | 5.2 | 1,048 | 815 |
| Acme Cast SWC +P | 158 | 13.4 | 1.480 | CFE Pistol | 5.5 | 1,048 | 855 |
| Hunters’ Supply Cast | 158 | 14.5 | 1.430 | Power Pistol | 5.4 | 948 | 791 |
| Hunters’ Supply Cast +P | 158 | 14.5 | 1.430 | Power Pistol | 6.0 | 1037 | 853 |
| Hunters’ Supply Cast* | 158 | 14.5 | 1.430 | CFE Pistol |
X | X | X |
| Hunters’ Supply Cast +P* | 158 | 14.5 | 1.430 | CFE Pistol | X | X | X |
| Dark gray bands +P, for use only in firearms marked for use with +P ammo * Could not get this combination to work. Either squib load or bore stuck. **Predictive MV FPS is data source listing regardless test gun barrel length, |
|||||||
Even using greased driving band cast bullets to reduce bore friction, 158 grain bullet CFE Pistol performance ranged from 100 fps spreads shot to shot, to bore stuck bullets even with +P charges. Not an issue brought on but the S&W 442, but reloading nuance for short barrel revolvers.
A combination of bore friction and low velocity with heavy bullets can cause bullets to stick at the forcing cone with gas bleeding at the cylinder gap. Also one of the reasons for using a double ended wad 148 grain wad cutter rather than a hollow base that expands at the bullet’s skirt when moving from cylinder to forcing cone.
I will make another run with cast bullets prepped with a sizer die to assure uniformity and then reducing diameter from 0.358″ to 0.357″.
My favorite based on external ballistic performance and shot to shot consistency is the Speer Gold Dot 110 grain powder pistol load. A little smokey, but…
Conclusion
Sometimes I would rather avoid a handloading part to an article. The S&W Model 442 is a solid defensive handgun, impressive in handling, performance and reliability. It is a good choice for concealed carry and home defense. Any critique in this Part II is solely aimed at the handloads, not the revolver.
The Model 442 had no reliability issues with factory ammunition and it had no reliability issues with sorted handload recipes. The handloads that were problematic are always part of the handload development process. They just typically don’t make it to public view.
Happy New Year to all of you good people. Best wishes for you and yours in 2023.
Happy New Year Joe. Good luck with the guitar.
You also, Robert. I’m afraid I need more than luck on the guitar. Dogs in the neighborhood are threatening a class action suit.
Joe
Nothing like a new year; learn from the last, hope for the best. So far, guitar is mostly making noise, but I play for myself, so it sounds like pretty good music.
Thanks, Robert. I think I need all the luck I can get.I’ve got all of the area dogs singing along.
That looks like a very nice guitar! I started learning mandolin after my father passed away a few years ago. I’m having fun learning a stringed instrument. I hope you do to!
I appreciate your load data for .38 special. I have some CFE Pistol powder and some 125 gr. Hornady XTP bullets. Hornady’s loading data for that combo is 5.4 to 6.3 grains for standard pressure and 6.4 grains for +p. I’ll likely load several loads at 5.8, 6.0, 6.2, and 6.4 to see how they do in my 4, 3, and 2-inch .38 revolvers.
I’d like to get some 110 grain bullets from Speer or Hornady. There was a good article in Shooting Times last year with load data (very similar to your own) with 110 grain JHPs.
I also appreciate your comment about loving revolvers, but not wanting to admit it. I love revolvers and do admit it!
Part of the enjoyment of learning the guitar is that I know so little, every effort is a gain. Good you stuck with the mandolin. I think one of the more difficult aspects of learning an instrument is sticking with it. Congrats.
CFE in several forms has worked out well. Could not get it to settle down with the 125 grain and produce uniform velocity. Could be the Speer bullets, powder lots, primer selection, short barrel. May come back and try it again at a later date.