We have a new gun game in town, IMO a hybrid of USPSA and IDPA. So it seems my .38 super auto Colt which I ran as an ESP pistol shooting a 125,000 pf in IDPA now has the option of major scoring [165,000] in this new game. I’m not putting a comp on it or drilling any holes in the barrel but I do want to experiment with some major loads. I plan on using a slow powder to minimize pressure with a heavy bullet [160gr.].
Right now I’m thinking AA #7, VV 3n38, Auto Comp or ??
AA7 should get you there easily. AA load data only goes to 147g though. Maybe you could start with the bottom load in a 160g and work it from there. I use a lot of AA5 for 9mm and like it just fine.
Using 170 PF as a safety buffer, both AA7 and Ramshot Silhouette get you there, within published load data, using the more common 147gr bullet. That seems like the best way to go. I’m sure Autocomp will get you there too, people are using it for 9mm Major after all, but you’ll be exceeding load data.
Since you’re aren’t going to be running a comp, give Silhouette a try. The powder charge is much less, 6.8gr vs 9.0gr, compared to AA7. Plus there is lots of load data for Silhouette as Winchester sold it for a long time as WAP. The Winchester 15th edition shows 5.5 grains as max for a 160gr lead bullet, with a velocity of 1035fps. That’ll be a good load if you are using 158gr LRN bullets meant for 38/357.