DRAFT - redoing this info with chrono data and new generation of pet loads.
.380 ACP
for 2.75” barrel (carry) and 3.5” (plinking)
68gr Lehigh Defender, 0.96" 3.7gr TG, 1075 fps
100gr Berry's RN, 0.96", 3.0gr MP 132, 858.5 fps
100gr Xtreme FP, 0.95", 2.9gr MP 132, 848 fps
9mm
for 3.1” & 3.5” (carry), 5.5” (target) and 16.5” (carbine) barrels
124gr Speer Gold Dot, 1.12", 5.3gr CFE Pistol, 1016 fos
124gr MEDEF FMJ, 1.15", 4.5gr MP 515, 1169.1 fps
124gr Berry's RN, 1.15", 3.8gr MP 515, 992 fps
147gr Berry's RN, 1.16", 3.9gr MP 515, 1017 fps
.38 Special / .357 Magnum
I was not planning on reloading these but a press I bought came with the die set. And those are the rules… And if SHTF these calibers would make good trade fodder.
Win 231 works well with mid-tier loads but not hot loads. That’s OK with me.
I am not a revolver guy and will be shooting mainly out of a carbine with a 16.5” barrel. The higher speeds out of the longer barrel requires some thinking. For plinking I chose 158gr; the plated rounds are rated to 1250fps and the heavier bullet keeps speeds down while retaining ft/lbs. For actual use I chose 125gr Hornady XTP. They are rated to 1400 but the design and anecdotal reports suggest they hold together at somewhat higher velocities.
.38spl 158gr Berry's THP 1.43" MP 132 3.6gr 894fps
testing with Longshot delayed due to medical restrictions
.40 Smith & Wesson
For 5” barrel (home defense)
135gr Norma HP, 1.125", 10.9gr Longshot, 1458 fps
155gr Speer Gold Dot, 1.12", 8.4gr Longshot, 1284 fps
180gr Berry's FP, 1.125", 5.3gr MP 132 1062.3fps
.308 Winchester
22” barrel.
proj proj wt OAL powder chargeGrains FPSavg
8x57mm Mauser
for 29.5” barrel
proj proj wt OAL powder charge grains
S&B SPCE 196 3.080 WIN 748 45.4
Hornady SST 170 3.000 WIN 748 43.5 (soft)
Hornady SST 170 3.000 WIN 748 47.5
Srsly: do not take my word (or anyone else’s) on matters of reloading. Get some manuals, start with light charges and work up, etc. You are responsible for your own loads as I am mine.
Also see the BSK reloading calculator announced in this reddit thread.