I was got three boxes of Federal 38 special 110gr +P+ law enforcement use only in when I got a taurus sub nose 38 in a trade. My question is how good are they and will they are right in the taurus ? If not I will use them in my S&W 66 with a 3" barrel.
Federal 38 +P+
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I have shot the Federal 110 gr +P+ JHP and it duplicates the Winchester 110 gr +P+ Treasury Load.
Muzzle velocity depends on barrel length. I chronographed the Winchester load at just under 1200 fps in a four inch heavy barrel S&W Model 10. Reduce the barrel length to two inches and it should do about 1100 fps.
This load would be just about the maximum that you would want to shoot in a small frame revolver with a short barrel. Since you have a S&W Model 66, I would restrict their use to it. You won't have any problems with the +P+ load in the 66. Three 50 round boxes of this load could accelerate the wear and tear on your Taurus, especially if it has an alloy frame. Better safe than sorry.
Roadster
Muzzle velocity depends on barrel length. I chronographed the Winchester load at just under 1200 fps in a four inch heavy barrel S&W Model 10. Reduce the barrel length to two inches and it should do about 1100 fps.
This load would be just about the maximum that you would want to shoot in a small frame revolver with a short barrel. Since you have a S&W Model 66, I would restrict their use to it. You won't have any problems with the +P+ load in the 66. Three 50 round boxes of this load could accelerate the wear and tear on your Taurus, especially if it has an alloy frame. Better safe than sorry.
Roadster
+1 with the Roadster. I remember when the +P+ Treasury loads first came out. We were using mostly 2.5" m19s, or other K frame Smiths. Later when fired in a 3" L frame they were fairly pleasant because of the additional weight.
While I am sure it can be done, and has been done by some, I personally would not need to shoot any of these out of a J-frame or other similar sized revolver that I owned. I think it could put unnecessary stress on one. I would say restrict them to your K frame too. Just my thoughts.
twoguns
While I am sure it can be done, and has been done by some, I personally would not need to shoot any of these out of a J-frame or other similar sized revolver that I owned. I think it could put unnecessary stress on one. I would say restrict them to your K frame too. Just my thoughts.
twoguns
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I would definitely test fire them to make sure the bullets don't pull out of the cases. If I remember correctly Federal uses soft lead.
I'm thinking of some lead +P+ ammo that my local store carries. If your stuff is jacketed, I wouldn't worry so much about it.
Josh <><
I'm thinking of some lead +P+ ammo that my local store carries. If your stuff is jacketed, I wouldn't worry so much about it.
Josh <><
Corbon used to offer a .38 Spl +P+ 158 gr LSWCHP load back in the early 1990's. The bullet was made by Speer as I recall. This ammo was hot. I have chronograph data for it from two four inch barrel revolvers:
1. Colt 4" Diamondback - 1052 fps/388 fpe
2. S&W 4" Model 67 - 1122 fps/442 fpe
Compare those numbers with the Winchester +P 158 gr LSWCHP "FBI load" fired from the same two revolvers:
1. Colt 4" Diamondback - 888.4 fps/277 fpe
2. S&W 4" Model 67 - 913.6 fps/293 fpe
I never had any problem with bullet pulling under recoil with the Corbon load, But that swaged soft lead Speer bullet would lead both barrels with just one cylinder load. Corbon dropped this load from production sometime in the mid 1990's as I recall. In my opinion this was a smart move by Corbon. That load was just too hot for small frame revolvers.
Roadster
1. Colt 4" Diamondback - 1052 fps/388 fpe
2. S&W 4" Model 67 - 1122 fps/442 fpe
Compare those numbers with the Winchester +P 158 gr LSWCHP "FBI load" fired from the same two revolvers:
1. Colt 4" Diamondback - 888.4 fps/277 fpe
2. S&W 4" Model 67 - 913.6 fps/293 fpe
I never had any problem with bullet pulling under recoil with the Corbon load, But that swaged soft lead Speer bullet would lead both barrels with just one cylinder load. Corbon dropped this load from production sometime in the mid 1990's as I recall. In my opinion this was a smart move by Corbon. That load was just too hot for small frame revolvers.
Roadster
Joined
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3,066 Posts
Remo,
I'd put a cylinder full through to make sure it functions, and leave the rest for carry. Practice with standard loads.
Just my take.
Josh <><
I'd put a cylinder full through to make sure it functions, and leave the rest for carry. Practice with standard loads.
Just my take.
Josh <><
I've got a ton of the Federal and the Winchester "treasury loads." Remember they are loaded to pressure not velocity. In all my tests the Federal 80-90% of the time is around 50 fps slower than the Winchester. The Federal has always chronod right around 1000fps from a 1 7/8 in J frame....the range from 990-1020. The Winchester is USUALLY in the range of 1040-1070. That said I recently shot a box of the Winchester that averaged 975fps from a Smith 640. In a 3 inch 66 the ammo is of no point. Shoot something else like DPX or LHP. The round was designed to give 4inch performance from sub barrels and will fragment or blow up out of longer barrels. Personally I wont carry that anymore. There are much better rounds out there at lower pressure.........the pressure just might damage your Taurus. I carry LHP or Gold Dot SB....they are both better rounds and easier on your gun. The treasury loads were designed in the 70's..........so 30 years ago. Dont not under any circumstances fire this stuff out of alloy guns.......this is clearly marked on the box. I have seen "smarter" individuals not heed the warning and destroy their revolvers. If you have a recent j frame or 357 j frame they wont hurt it, but they were state of the art 30 plus years ago
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