Does anyone know how high the pressure is for this loading? I want to try it in my Mod 36 no-dash, but would like to know how much above the standard pressure 158gr lead SWC it was loaded. I am aware of it's velocity and energy, but have never heard of it's pressure. That's the only factory loaded round it has ever digested. Thanks so much for any added info you can provide!

I don't think Speer would say, but it's within normal Plus P pressures. Some of the Buffalo Bore stuff may be hotter, but nor Speer.

That load shoots well for me and has a good street record.

Thanks Tex, I was wondering if it was near the top or bottom of the SAAMI +P range. Don't want to damage my heirloom Mod 36

I wouldn't worry about it too much with a steel J-frame. Shoot a few cylinder-fulls to make sure it's reliable and that you can shoot it well, then use standard pressure ammo for the rest of your shooting. Maybe shoot some +P every once in a while to stay familiar with it. That's what I would do. Actually, that is what I do with my 642.

I'm guessing it would be ok in your Model 36 or any steel gun. If it's going to be your carry load, I wouldn't think you would shoot enough of it to hurt anything, but YMMV.

My 640 handles it alright.

I remember reading the SB Speer .38 Special +P ammo us at the top of the pressure range for +P. It's my opinion your M36 will tolerate the pressure even better than your M642. I own and shoot both and if you only shoot +P in your revolvers rarely you will not damage your revolvers. At the worst you will only accelerate stretching the frame, not blow up the gun. All IMO if course. Not telling you what to do, only what I do.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

S&W listed the original steel frame Chiefs Specials as being safe with the .38-44 high velocity loads. As I do not abuse my Js, I have no reservation about +P or higher ammo in steel frame Js. You may want a larger or more comfortable after market grip, though.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I find the 135gr SB load a little easier to control than the FBI 158gr loading
out of my J frame 38 special.

Only problem with non-+p 158 lead ammo is it has poor energy out of a 2".
I like at least 181 ft/lbs of energy with the 158gr for a minimum SD loading, if that is all I can have.

Some state a 148gr target load will work but I would hate to
wait around for the LE or results as it does its thing.

As long as you do not shoot a stead diet of +P out of a J frame there is no issue. The proof loads they are tested with are much higher than +P's are.

If you are shooting BB +P's - your hands will say stop before the gun will.

I bought some 38 Special 125gr JHP from Buffalo Bore.

I had heard that BB sourced bullets from Speer.

I compared a 125 gr Buffalo Bore with Speer 125 Gold Dot, and they looked identical. So BB loads gold dots -- at least in the lot of ammo I bought.

The standard pressure BB 125 JHP attains higher velocity from a snub that the 125 GR Speer +P Gold Dot.

The 38+P BB 125 JHP is approximately equal to the 135 gr 357 Magnum Speer Gold dot in velocity. (The 135 Speer 357 Magnum is a fairly light load for a 357.)

The 125 Gr 357 Magnum Speer Gold Dot is significantly higher than any of the above.

I picked up a few boxes of 125 gr JHP BB in both 38 Sp and 38 Sp+P and may start carrying them at some point after some testing.

Don't really know where BB gets their components from - all I care is that they perform well.

Buffalo Bore'a ammo is the best performing of all in my opinion. Some may think otherwise, but I REALLY like them. I have tested them myself - at least as much as I can with my limited equipment, but as far as my Chronograph says, they are the most consistent performing bullets I've ever Chronographed - bar none! I prefer the heavier 158 grainers out of a 2" bbl. and out of my M60-7 I consistently get 1015 - 1025 fps. I know of no .357 Mag. 158 grain that will do that out of a TWO inch barrel from Rem. Win. Fed. Not saying .38 spl. will out perform a 357 in general, but for 158 grainers out of a 2" Chief's the BB .38 Spl. is TOPS IMO.

I'm going to respond, although I cannot answer your question, in re: pressure. Sorry. We are on the internet after all.

What is wrong with me?

I have always found the factory FBI loads (Federal) to be VERY easy shooters out of J frame-ish 2" guns (-in roughly ascending order of size): M642, M60, M640, Colt Detective Special, Ruger SP101.

The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135g shoots a little "sharper" to me, and perhaps a bit lower than POA.

But that's angels dancing on the head of a pin. They both are beyond perfectly adequate defensive loads.

I've tried the Buffalo Bore FBI-style 158g's in both the standard and the +P loadings.

The standard feels just that, unremarkable vs. the previous two. It's a good load, I am sure. For the crimp alone, it must be superior to what Federal currently offers. The latter are unacceptable.

The +P is a serious load. It's an eye-opener. I have no chrono. I suggest that the Speer .357 135g Short Barrel cannot possibly hit harder.

I believe EVERYTHING that BB says about the heavy .38 +P SWCHP.

In an all-steel gun it is even manageable. Really. Not at all the end-of-the-world. Heck, I get five good hits every time with my M642. But it is a "Wow!" loading. Lots of storm and thunder.

I carry the Speer Short Barrel .38 Special + P, because that's what the biggest PD in the country carries, where among elsewhere it has delivered good results against real bad guys on the street, and it is not nearly the drama that the +P Buffalo Bore load is.

Sorry again that I didn't answer the question.