I have a model 67 38 S&W special. Can I safely use the Federal 38 special 110 gr. Hrdra-Shok JHP in this weapon? Also, does anyone have experience using this ammo. Thanks

I have a model 67 38 S&W special. Can I safely use the Federal 38 special 110 gr. Hrdra-Shok JHP in this weapon? Also, does anyone have experience using this ammo. Thanks

Yes, it's safe.

No, I have no experience with it. I don't like .38 Spl ammo that's that light.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

My mother has a Model 67, which if I remember correctly is basically a stainless Model 15. All of the Model number Smith and Wessons are okayed for +P ammunition as per the SW manual that comes with each revolver. Any factory made ammunition that meets SAAMI specs (as one would presume a Federal product does) should be safe to fire in your revolver presuming that it is good mechanical condition and free from defects.

I have not used that particular loading in any of my guns thus I'm not sure if it is +P or standard pressure, but it should be fine in your revolver either way.

Erich and I come from slightly different camps, but our thinking also overlaps quite often. This is one of them. +1

Take a look at

http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics/

and compare the PD357HS2H .357, which I use as a benchmark, with the PD38HS3H, your 110 gr. .38 spc., and the P38HS1, the 129 gr. .38 spc. +P. The ballistics between the two .38 rounds are comparable, except that the heavier +P load has enough kinetic energy left at 50 yards to go through human bone, while the lighter .38 spc. does not. Obviously, there's going to be more recoil in the heavier round with the +P rating, and at ten feet or less, it probably won't make any difference. But I don't use anything that won't provide at least 230 ft-lbs of energy at 50 yards except for target practice.

__________________
Not legal advice/solicitation

I have a partial case left of the 147 GR .38 +P+ that I carried in my 2" M10 and M15 Snubs. I have replaced it with the 135 GR Gold Dot but still shoot it out of my 4" and 5" Heavy Duties. YMMV

I like that stuff. I've long carried it as reloads for my .38s, since the jacketed bullets are less likely to deform in my pockets than straight lead ones.

But it's still possible to ding them, as a close examination of these 147-gr +P+ cartridges will reveal.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

Erich, you must either carry a ton of stuff in your pockets or else your court cases devolve into brawls...

I carry a speeloader full of Remington 158 SWCHPs in the RH front pocket along with my keys and I have never seen them get beat up so badly.

I'm an animal; what can I say?

__________________
Now go make God proud...

I have a 360 with a 1-7/8 barrel. I have .38 short barrel gold dots in it right now. Do you think I should carry a heavier weight round? What about double-tap ammo?

I wouldn't sweat it, Seamaster. That bullet is plenty heavy. I use the same gun and feel better about the extra velocity of the SB .357 Gold Dots in mine. I had better expansion results with the .357 when I tested both loads, but both are good. The .357 isn't full power. It's more like a .38 +P+. SB .38 clogged on four layers of denim when I tested it, but is still very good. DPX is IMO a more reliable expander in .38 +P. If you shoot well with the .38s there's no reason to switch.

I just bought two boxes of Buffalo Bore 20C/20,that's their non-+P very soft lead with a gas check, 158gr LSWC/HC that's made for revolvers that can't take +P,Buffalo Bore says it will do 850 FPS from a 2" barrel.
I haven't had a chance to get to the range yet,I'll let you know the results when I do.
Has anyone else tried this load,if so chime in.

__________________
Anchors

I carry 38spl. +p frequently, if not carrying a 45 with 45acp+p. In the past 30 yrs, I have stayed with the Rem. 125 gr. +p that I was first issued as a lawman in 1974. We bought our own guns then, they controlled the ammo. 2 inch to 6 inch barrels, we all carried it and a few thugs did fall from the round.
I have carried 110 gr. at times, after reading some gun mag writers' saying the lighter load did a little better from a 1 7/8 inch barrel. I shot anything with the 110, so I really don't know. If the firearm is rated for +P, I would carry +p for protection time, shoot some basic stuff for fun. If you are thinking in terms of protection, maybe shoot a few of the various rounds and consider what do you feel safer with. I do feel safer in my mature years with the +P ammo and stay devoted to wheel guns, but I do own three 45 ACP pistols. Most days, a 38 spl. smith 5 shot in the pocket is very comforting regardless of where I go. I have 125 gr. JHP +P in it plus a speed loader in the other pocket.

I load Win. 158 gr JHPs behind 5.5 grains of Accurate #5 in my old Hyway Patrolman and it is a Super Accurate load that I feel comfortable with if I carry my wheel gun instead of my M&P when I am out and about.

Here you go anchors.

Buffalo Bore Redux - Again

rd

I have personal experience with the 110 gr 38 Special Hydra Shock. It would get you killed!
It used to be the SD round in my 38 Spl 4" Model 15.

I had to euthanize a dog that was hit by a car with them. The barrel was practically against the dogs head. Two shots failed to penetrate the skull. The bullet either ricocheted or blew up. I have had to do this many times, and I know the shot placement. This is the only load that has failed like this. I had to double tap the dog in the chest. It was not a nice end.

This incidence caused me to test this load on a wax candle-only waxy thing available . The 110 gr bullet could not make it throught the candle. DO NOT CARRY THIS BULLET!!!!!!!! The FBI/Border Patrol carried a +P+ 110 GR 38 and the penetration was terrible. One agent said he shot a jackrabbit with this "T" load and it didnt exit the rabbit. It would be absolutely lousy in a snub. 158 LRN would be better compared to the 110 JHP.

The best hollowpoint for the 38 is the 38+P 158 GR lswchp by Remington. It reliably expands even in a snub. It is the only hollowpoint I use in the 38 because after having tried them all, this is the only one that expanded in milk jug tests.

.38 +P DPX and Corbon JHP are both good 110 gr. loads. I would carry either with confidence if I packed a .38.

For those who carry a .38 derringer, the standard pressure 110 grain loading is more comfortable to shoot than any heavier bullet or +P round.

__________________
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.