Handloader #357 has an article by Patrick Meitin on the 38 Super Auto +P and includes some pretty spicy loads. The spiciest was a 124 grain loaded with 11.5 grains of Major Pistol (Lovex D037-1) that is listed at 1667 fps from a 5" 1911. That is a 765 lb-ft load. Makes me wish I had some Major Pistol around to play with. His load data also favored AA#7 and Silhouette, which I do have on hand.
I have been a fan of the 38 Super and have two guns with that chamber - A Fusion Gold 1911 and a Tanfoglio Stock III. I had been doing some of my own work-ups. Brass is Starline 38 Super Comp and primers are S&B small rifle.
Results of my last test:
| _Powder_________ | Charge | Bullet________ | COAL____ | Notes | Velocity |
| AA7 | 10 | 124 JHP | 1.290 | | 1388 |
| AA7 | 10.5 | 124 JHP | 1.275 | | 1454 |
| AA7 | 10 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | | 1514 |
| AA7 | 10.5 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | Primers wiped, max load | 1541 |
| Power PIstol | 7.3 | 124 JHP | 1.275 | | 1335 |
| Power PIstol | 7.7 | 124 JHP | 1.275 | | 1372 |
| Power PIstol | 7.3 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | | 1395 |
| Power PIstol | 7.7 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | | 1424 |
| BE-86 | 6.8 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | | 1368 |
| BE-86 | 7.2 | 130 SWC | 1.245 | | 1396 |
I didn't include energy here, but that fourth load of AA7 with a 130 grain SWC was a 685 lb ft load and it was very clearly over max.
Based on these results, the Handloader article and some added load references I will be testing the following loads, hopefully this weekend.
| Powder______ | Charge__ | Bullet________ | Weight__ | COAL___ | Exp Velocity | Exp Energy |
| AA7 | 10.5 | Speer HP | 90 | 1.175 | 1440 | 414 |
| AA7 | 11.5 | Speer HP | 90 | 1.175 | 1717 | 589 |
| Silhouette | 6.5 | Federal HST | 124 | 1.175 | 1408 | 546 |
| Silhouette | 7.5 | Federal HST | 124 | 1.175 | 1529 | 644 |
| AA7 | 8.0 | NOE 360-152 | 152 | 1.145 | 1251 | 528 |
| Silhouette | 6.5 | NOE 360-128 | 130 | 1.145 | 1400 | 566 |
| Silhouette | 7.0 | NOE 360-128 | 130 | 1.145 | 1475 | 628 |
| AA7 | 10.5 | Federal HST | 124 | 1.275 | 1450 | 579 |
| AA7 | 10.5 | Federal HST | 124 | 1.275 | 1450 | 579 |
| AA7 | 10.8 | Federal HST | 124 | 1.275 | 1500 | 619 |
I had planned a second AA7 load with the 152 grain SWC, but the 8.0 grain load was compressed. No way I was gonna get any added powder in there with that COAL. And due to the SWC design it has to be seated to that depth to fit the throat on my barrels. I have a 158 grain RFN mold around somewhere and will have to find it and cast some of those which I could load quite a bit longer - 1.275 probably. That should allow me to get another 1.5 grains in the case. Or I may stick with The 152 SWC bullet and switch to Silouette or Longshot.
I am targeting 600-650 lb ft in my max loads. In this test I will be testing velocity as well as accuracy of a 5 shot group at 25 yards. Hoping to settle on a load for each bullet. and then stack them deep.