HANDGUN LOADS FOR SHORT BARREL PISTOLS

[farwest]

Is there any information available on hand loads for short barrel pistols- appx 2".
Like the powder used and load data for handloads similar to Federal Punch ammunition.
I am interested in loads for 2" S&W J Frame .38 special; 2"-3".357 Mag,; Sig P-365/S&W Shield and 3"-5".45ACP.
Federal advertises that they use special powder for short barrel pistols. There are other manufacturers' of short barrel ammo,
but I have seen a lot of adds for Federal Punch.

 

[Makinchips208]

I used bullseye for lot of 38 special.
Bullet weight would help as some powders work better for different weight projectiles.

Here is Speer Reloading Manual #14 data for short barrel 38 load.

And data for short barrel 357.

 

[farwest]

Thank you for the information. I use Unique, Bullseye and Win 231 a lot. I did not know if there was a newer powder that Federal was using in Punch.

 

[03machstock]

I’ll often use red dot for pistol loads, it’s a shotgun powder ie fast burning which should work better for short barrels. Back during one of the powder shortages I was at a big trap shoot and they had tractor trailers full of 8 lb jugs for sale so I bought some and tried it out. It’s a little dirty especially when shooting hard cast. I use it for 9mm, 45, and 44 mag mild loads. Just be careful not to double charge a case, because you don’t use much.