.38 Loads in .357 Brass....

[buffybuster]

We've tried pretty much every round available at our local shops and there's nothing out there that has enough energy to suit me, yet still is controllable for her...

I think this is somewhat an oxymoronic statement. You're wanting the best of both worlds....... high energy/power with low recoil/blast. I think there are a number of factory 38Special loads that may fit your needs which are specifically for short barreled revolvers that are easy to shoot and the bullet design makes them effective at the lower velocities.

Maybe the best balance of what you seek is either the new .327FedMag (100gr@1200fps) or the old .44Special (200-240gr@750fps). Small&Fast or Big& Slow.

[ChrisXD45T]

Light loads in 357 mag are safe depending entirely upon which powder you use. The one downside is light loads have decreased accuracy in 357 mag cases in my experience. I'm a diehard 357 mag guy, and I'll probably get flamed for this, but the 357 is probably the least accurate of the magnum cartridges. That being said, get yourself something as case filling as possible and use about a half grain of fire retardant polyester pillow stuffing to fill the rest of the case and keep the powder back against the primer, when necessary. This will prevent the powder from sliding back and forth in the case causing inconsistent burning from round to round or from creating a situation where it will burn from front to back.
Use good hard cast 158 grain lead projectiles with these loads and regular small pistol primers. C.O.L. will depend upon which projos you use.
5.5-5.7gr of Unique or W231.
5.0-5.2gr of AA#2.
5.0grs of Titegroup.
These have given me the best accuracy as far as light loads go out of my S&W model-66 with 6" barrel; muzzle velocity is about 1,000 =/- fps with these loads. All grouped within 2.5" at 25 yards. Not what I would consider accurate when compared to my full power magnum loads, but adequate for home defense I suppose.

[ejor]

I found unique works well in this situation my old speer manual lists 5.9g in a 38 special case as a +p 38spl. load at 997 fps

[mike100]

I have made a few bags of 158 gr plated with magnum primers and 6.2 grains of Unique. It is just starting to get that magnum feel, but without the blast wave. You might be able to go lower..it's definitely more fun to shoot. I'd like to chrono it since light magnums have really sparked my interest compared to full power shooting.

I used all new components for a couple of batches and it is less powerful than store bought- plus, you really can't tell at a glance it isn't factory if you buy all matched components.

[SDgarrick]

.38spl +P+ FTW!!! I've fired it alongside standard .357 loads and it was noticeably lighter. pick up a box, fire a few cylinders worth and park the box next to the gun.

[mattman]

Does no one read?

The issue is of legality and lawsuits if you shot an intruder with home made reloads.

Stick with factory defense rounds. It will save you a bunch of lawyer money.

Show me a single lawsuit where it was even a factor, let alone a deciding factor.

[5hundo]

Show me a single lawsuit where it was even a factor, let alone a deciding factor.

Or, how loading a round with less energy would give the prosecutor any leverage over me in a similar case...

It's FUD...

[DDT]

Justified self defense will do much to negate the home made bullet thing. In fact, it will make it a non issue. Anything else than a slam dunk fear of life and it will be an issue.

It may be a slam dunk to the DA but a civil jury may see it in a very different light. The burden of proof that you were itching to kill someone when a lesser method of restraint was available is not nearly as high in a civil court as in a criminal case.

[mattman]

Besides if you didn't get them the first time and they take all your money then you might have a reason to try again. But don't try that at home kids.

[Spyduh]

Show me a single lawsuit where it was even a factor, let alone a deciding factor.

Regardless if you win/lose the case. You still have to defend yourself with a lawyer. Lawyer = $$$. IMHO, why make your lawyer work more hours defending you when you don't have to by using factory ammo.

It's your money, spend it how you like.

[gunrun45]

Show me a single lawsuit where it was even a factor, let alone a deciding factor.

Are you guys serious about this?

Have none of you ever heard of distance determination using gunpowder residue patterns?

What can distance have to do with anything you ask? It can be the difference between justified homicide and murder.

Simple point in fact that HAS been used for only a few DECADES in determining the validity of a participant who has discharged a gun at another party.

There are literally THOUSANDS of cases across the WORLD where this has been used to prove or disprove your statement. Forget civil issues, we are talking about CRIMINAL prosecution.

-They WILL NOT use your reloading info as fact in court.
-They WILL NOT use the ammo found in the gun or near the gun as examplar ammo when shooting test patterns to determine distance.
-They WILL use some kind of FACTORY ammo that is as similar to yours as they can visually tell.

This is the EASIEST way to screw yourself into a corner that is easily avioded in the first place.

A Paradise CA Police Officer had this issue several years ago. It had nothing to do with the ammo but the clothing that the suspect was wearing and how the distance determination test was performed. The suspect was wearing a pleather matrix type jcaket but the test lab used white cotton cloth in the distance determination testing. The officer said he shot from 5-feet away but there was no trace of gunpowder on the nice smooth non-porus jacket. The testing at the lab indicated gunpowder patterning up to 15 feet away.

The officer was suspended and charges were discussed.

Later the lab realized the mistake, re-did the testing and found that the officer's statement was good.

Want to talk about a puckering experience? He had a defense team, police officers association, etc... backing him up and luckily he had some of the most professional lab technicians in the world working his case.

What do you have in your corner?

[Spyduh]

He had a defense team, police officers association, etc... backing him up and luckily he had some of the most professional lab technicians in the world working his case.

What do you have in your corner?

+1 All that stuff cost a lot of money.

Like I said earlier to these guys. "It's their money". They can spend it how they like.

[5hundo]

If you have any suggestions for a good home defense reload, I'd love to hear your thoughts...

If not, please don't thread-jack...

Thank you...

[J-cat]

Are you guys serious about this?

Have none of you ever heard of distance determination using gunpowder residue patterns?

What can distance have to do with anything you ask? It can be the difference between justified homicide and murder.

Simple point in fact that HAS been used for only a few DECADES in determining the validity of a participant who has discharged a gun at another party.

There are literally THOUSANDS of cases across the WORLD where this has been used to prove or disprove your statement. Forget civil issues, we are talking about CRIMINAL prosecution.

-They WILL NOT use your reloading info as fact in court.
-They WILL NOT use the ammo found in the gun or near the gun as examplar ammo when shooting test patterns to determine distance.
-They WILL use some kind of FACTORY ammo that is as similar to yours as they can visually tell.

This is the EASIEST way to screw yourself into a corner that is easily avioded in the first place.

A Paradise CA Police Officer had this issue several years ago. It had nothing to do with the ammo but the clothing that the suspect was wearing and how the distance determination test was performed. The suspect was wearing a pleather matrix type jcaket but the test lab used white cotton cloth in the distance determination testing. The officer said he shot from 5-feet away but there was no trace of gunpowder on the nice smooth non-porus jacket. The testing at the lab indicated gunpowder patterning up to 15 feet away.

The officer was suspended and charges were discussed.

Later the lab realized the mistake, re-did the testing and found that the officer's statement was good.

Want to talk about a puckering experience? He had a defense team, police officers association, etc... backing him up and luckily he had some of the most professional lab technicians in the world working his case.

What do you have in your corner?

Read Penal Code Section 198.5

None of what you post is relevant in a home defense shooting.

If yoo choose to carry handloads outside your home, and maintain a record of what you put in them, then the crime lab will be able to easily replicate your ammo to determine GSR patterns/distance/etc.

[J-cat]

If you have any suggestions for a good home defense reload, I'd love to hear your thoughts...

If not, please don't thread-jack...

Thank you...

There is no risk of detonation with non- H110/WW296 powders in reduced 357 loads.

Herco is a low-flash powder (while it's burning rate is similar to Blue Dot, it only makes a faint orange low) and quite filling. I like 125gr Speer Gold Dots. Work-up your own load.