New .38 spl standard pressure rounds for snubbies

I find this quite interesting and look forward to this ammo making it's way. In particularly the two hollow points the 125-grain load and the 158-grain load are interesting. Was the 125-grain load designed to more or less duplicate the the old Nyclad load?

-Rob

Was the 125-grain load designed to more or less duplicate the the old Nyclad load?

-Rob

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That is my understanding, yes. The particular Gold Dot bullet which Tim is loading was developed to open well at lower velocities.

For some reason, I am especially interested in the wadcutters. I've shot plenty of SWCs but never plain old wadcutters. I can think of a number of applications where those will come in handy, mostly outdoorsy stuff, but I would not feel ill equipped for social purposes either.

Mainly, I'm going to try them all, and see which one my snubbie likes best.

That is welcome news. I have heard rumors that Winchester removed the 158gr. LSWCHP +P from their catalog, and the Remington and Federal versions seem scarce in my neck of the woods. As an added plus, even though my airweight is +P rated, I can try some out at the range with the missus in an effort to convince her to tote a .38 in lieu of a mouse-gun. Thanks for the post.

That is my understanding, yes. The particular Gold Dot bullet which Tim is loading was developed to open well at lower velocities.

For some reason, I am especially interested in the wadcutters. I've shot plenty of SWCs but never plain old wadcutters. I can think of a number of applications where those will come in handy, mostly outdoorsy stuff, but I would not feel ill equipped for social purposes either.

Mainly, I'm going to try them all, and see which one my snubbie likes best.

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Excellent. Being more of a city guy myself, my eyes are drawn to the hollow points for social purposes. That said, I find myself thoroughly amused with a standard pressure 158-grain SWCHP that is going to come close to mimicing the +P load with the same bullet. Although, I must say the lure of the 125-grain JHPs is nice, especially when I think about a speedloader full banging around loose in the bottom of a pocket....I do believe I'll have to order a few of both and see how they shoot in my .38s...I could have a new snub carry load before long!

-Rob

Sounds good to me, as most of my snubbies aren't +P rated. Now to find a source; does Midway carry them?

The hard wadcutter is going to be a winner.


Regards,

Pat

Sounds good to me, as most of my snubbies aren't +P rated. Now to find a source; does Midway carry them?

The hard wadcutter is going to be a winner.


Regards,

Pat

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Try Buffalo Bore direct, their prices are usually comparable to most distributors, unless you have perhaps a local connection to save on shipping. The rounds unfortunately are still a week away!!

-Rob

Brerarnold- You post was loaded with news for me. I didn't even know Buffalo Bore made ammo for anything smaller than, say, 44 Magnum.

Looking at their website, I see 9mm, 40, and 10mm ammunition also. Of those, the 9mm interests me the most, and they show 115, 124, and 147 grain loads using Speer bullets in +P+, and the 115 and 124 in +P loadings. They have velocity figures from the +P+ loadings, and they are pretty fast! I'd like to see the +P figures.

Calling Mr Camp! Calling Mr Camp! Howzabout shooting some of this for us? I would, but my shaky groups wouldn't tell anyone much, my chrono is broke, and I don't have enough milk jugs to fill with water and shoot.

I wonder what they could do with the 38 Super...

Hello. I'll try some out but it will a little while. Spent too much "mad money" on guns lately!

Best.

Buffalo Bore makes outstanding full power ammunition in many of my favorite calibers. I'm not surprised that Tim has chosen to venture into the 38 snub field is not surprising. A very LARGE number of people (myself included) favor a .38 snub as a BUG or even as an always gun.

That being said, I must caution those who choose to shoot this load that in a light alloy frame gun that the recoil may be very stout. Stout recoil isn't something I look for in a defensive load.

Dr. Gary Roberts' work in conjunction with the California LE community and his Navy ties has given us a couple of very useful bits of information about ammo for snub guns. His work has found that low-recoiling ordinary wadcutters are actually a better defensive bullet than most commercial defense loads, with the Speer Gold Dot HP 135 gr +P a close second.

Those are my choices, and I can shoot them well.

And yes, I do practice with my snubs regularly.

DocRocket, I'm curious about what brand of wadcutter you use.
I have not seen wadcutters in local stores for a long time.

Also what about truncated rounds in a .38 special? I've heard of them being used in .380's.

What about standard velocity Gold Dot .38's or the Federal 110gr Hydra Shoks in .38 special?

If the CorBon DPX in 38 +P are as mild at the 9mm+P they may be a good, but expensive choice.

Thanks

That is welcome news. I have heard rumors that Winchester removed the 158gr. LSWCHP +P from their catalog, and the Remington and Federal versions seem scarce in my neck of the woods.

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I have had problems finding the +P LSWCHP, but then I'm in an area of the country where most people seem to buy on the basis of price instead of features / utility. Currently Natchez has the Winchester load in stock, and as of about two minutes ago, Winchester still listed it.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/handgundetail.aspx?symbol=X38SPD&cart=MzggU3BlY2lhbCArLVA=&use=3&type=26

PS: The price listed on the Winchster site is >$37 a box, while at Natchez the 158 (F04WNX38SPD) is "on sale" at $26.67 / 50.

I am a bit behind in my reading. Good news all around.

Jim H.