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Imr 4227 in 38 special.

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21 July 2005, 05:40
Russ Brumbelow
Imr 4227 in 38 special.
Any one have any self defense loads for this combination? IMR 4227 in a 38 special.

Thanks
21 July 2005, 06:45
The Maz
My Speer manual lists a few combos that you can try:

125 GR Jacketed
Start: 11.2 Gr 905 Fps
Max (+P) 13.0 Gr 981 Fps

140 Gr Jacketed
Start: 10.8 Gr 880 Fps
Max (+P): 13.0 Gr 1003 Fps

158 Gr Jacketed
Start: 10.2 Fps 822 Fps
Max (+P): 12.3 Gr 924 Fps

Note that you can get MUCH better results using Blue Dot. I've always considered Blue Dot to be THE powder that I use for heavier .38 loads.

125 Gr bullet with 8.2 Gr of BD will give 940 Fps and 8.5 Gr will give 1074 Fps. With the 158 Gr slug, 7.5 Gr or BD will give 924 FPS and 8.4 Gr will give 1051 Fps.

Another consideration for defensive loads is flash. Both 4227 and Blue Dot are slow enough to give a REALLY bright muzzle flash that's even somewhat visible in daylight. At night it is blinding. Plus blast is pretty severe too.

To keep flash down, try using Win 231 instead. See the manuals for loads with this powder.


NRA Life Member
testa virtus magna minimum
22 July 2005, 05:28
Russ Brumbelow
Thanks. The reason I asked about it is I have 2 pounds of it and nothing to load with it except 38 special. I am gonna get some winchester 231 and blue dot. I have a 40 s&w also so maybe one of those will come in handy for it.