[werewolf]

How good does anyone think the WW USA .38 spl 125 gr +P JHP is for CCW purposes. The USA brand in 115 gr 9mm JHP and .45 cal JHP have gotton favourable reviews, considering their price. I'm just wondering if the .38 spl offering is no worse than other "premium" brands out there.

I understand it likely wouldn't perform to the same level as say Speer's 135 gr +p Gold Dot offering, or maybe the Remington GS. But at the price for a WW of 50 I can afford to shoot a whole lot more and be pretty accurate with this round

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. I have not used that round in any tests so I cannot accurately comment. How good or bad it performs will be influenced by bbl length. In a snub, it might not do so well but in a 3 or 4" bbl, it might do quite well. I am guessing that it probably expands alright, at least in bare gelatin or unobstructed tissue, but probably has a problem when passing through intermediate barriers; many of the older designs do, but not all.

Best.

 

[lelandray]

I picked up several boxes of the WW a couple of years ago because the price was really, really good ($10 a box) and I've carried and fired some of it.

While I can't testify to its effectiveness, I'll state that it shoots cleanly and accurately from my 2" Model 10 S&W. I ran some informal wetpack tests, and the bullet seemed to hold together well while expanding into a classic mushroom shape.

Personally, I think you could do worse, and the cost definitely allows more practice than with some of the wunderkind like the Speer "snubby" load.

 

[oldgranpa]

great picture, Leland. I'm going to get some of that and include it in next 38spec test. The old SilverTip used to do OK too (also a 125gr+p). Always enjoy Winchester's stuff.
og

 

[werewolf]

Thanks guys - one thing though. I recently (today in fact) checked on the price at wal-Mart. Right now this ammo has gone up in price to about $ 12 and change for a box of 50. Sure, that makes it cheaper to practice with than say Gold Dot.

But for about the same price I can get WW 115 gr JHP in 9mm. Since I carry either an SP 101 or a G19, price isn't going to dictate what I practice with/carry. Might as well go for the more potent round.

I haven't checked Academy, just down the road. Last I looked THEIR prices were even better, almost $2/box cheaper than Wal-Marts.

But it is nice to have options and I was just wondering how good this type of .38 spl ammo is. Call me a dinosaur, but I very fond of the .38spl round based on its accuracy and low recoil.

 

[Guest]

Not as consistent as the "premium" ammo. By that I mean some rounds may do as well as the 130 Supreme SXT, but most will not. Ditto the other USA JHPs.

Most of the extensive testing I've seen, the "premium" ammo is "better". If it's better enough at the price is up to you.

For example, 10 rounds through denim into gel, the USA and Rem Express 180/40 JHP had 3 that expanded great, 3 that did not expand at all, and 4 in the middle. All 10 rounds of Ranger T and Gold Dot looked great.

Similar results w 38s from snubbies.

DPX and GDSB looked great. GS and S/SXT were less consistent, but still way ahead of the other SJHP/LHP stuff.