Just killing time this week end, I decided to compare some 38 plus P ammo out a snub nosed revolver.
I used a model 66-1 2 1/2 inch for all three loads.
First one the left is the old stand by. 158 gr SWC HP. This one by Remington. Avg of 3 shots. 839 fps. Penetrated 2 milk jugs of water and stopped in the third. Classic expansion. I've got the same results with the Federal loads. This is what I will continue to carry in my snubs.
Middle round is a nice suprise from Cor Bon. This is their 110gr which clocked an average of 1157 fps and penertated three gallons of water, stopping in the third. This is not a flook. I've got consistant expansion with this load in previous tests. A good choice for a 110gr bullet.
Last one on the right is a big dud. This is a 158 gr Plus P NyClad from an old S&W batch. Average velocity was 890 fps. Made it thru two water jugs and stopped in the third. I could reload this one if I wanted. Just thought you might find this of interest.http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ettests015.jpg

Just killing time this week end, I decided to compare some 38 plus P ammo out a snub nosed revolver.
I used a model 66-1 2 1/2 inch for all three loads.
First one the left is the old stand by. 158 gr SWC HP. This one by Remington. Avg of 3 shots. 839 fps. Penetrated 2 milk jugs of water and stopped in the third. Classic expansion. I've got the same results with the Federal loads. This is what I will continue to carry in my snubs.
Middle round is a nice suprise from Cor Bon. This is their 110gr which clocked an average of 1157 fps and penertated three gallons of water, stopping in the third. This is not a flook. I've got consistant expansion with this load in previous tests. A good choice for a 110gr bullet.
Last one on the right is a big dud. This is a 158 gr Plus P NyClad from an old S&W batch. Average velocity was 890 fps. Made it thru two water jugs and stopped in the third. I could reload this one if I wanted. Just thought you might find this of interest.http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ettests015.jpg

Why yes, I do find this of interest. http://smith-wessonforum.com/groupee...icon_smile.gif I have noticed in many of the posts here that everyone seems to a agree that the Remington 158 grain SWCHP load is made of a softer alloy and expands more readily than the Federal or Winchester loads. So the Nyclad load not expanding at all I would have attributed to it being made of a harder lead alloy, but you said that you have gotten good results with the non-Nyclad Federal load. I would not think that the plastic coating would inhibit expansion, especially with the Nyclad load having a slightly higher velocity than the Remington load you tested. I guess you never know until you try it out.

Thanks for the great photos. I love shooting bullets into water jugs. I tested the new Hornady Critical Defense in water jugs last weekend. This is the .38 +P 110 grain out of a S&W 638 snubbie. Went into the third jug. Later, B

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...bulleta022.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...bulleta020.jpg

Thanks moosedog!

Tests from a snubnose in this article show similar results for the Nyclad in gelatin.

rd

When I shot DPX through four layers of denim/Perma-Gel from a 1 7/8" barrel, I got the same results. Federal 125 gr. std. pressure Nyclad from my wife's 3" gun choked in four layer/ P-G. I have yet to test the Remington FBI load. I agree that DPX is a good one.

That nyclad looks like they were using some pretty hard lead.

Very interesting topic and thanks for sharing the photos!

The article from Guns & Ammo Handguns shows a lot of difference in performance of the Nyclad 158 and 129 grain loads. The lighter Nyclad load seemed to have much greater expansion than the heavier version. I don't know if that is due solely due to the higher velocity or bullet construction.

The NyClad that I used was from a batch of the older S&W stuff which I believe was pre Federal NyClad.
Maybe Federal changed the composition of it's lead in the NyClad loading. The S&W stuff might have been harder. The Federal 158gr SWC HP works almost identical for me as does the Remington load.
A couple of us fired the 158gr Lead SWC HPs from Remington and Federal into ballistic gel blocks at an ammo seminar several years ago and they had the most consistant, straight wound channels of all the rounds tested that day.

Moosedog et al, thanks for your efforts and for sharing this excellent information...

Loved this! I wish that I had more of that Federal 38G load, which is also very accurate in my guns.

T-Star

Thanks to all who supplied data and pictures. I just picked up some of the Critical Defense +P loads for my 442 and was wondering if they would live up the advertising hype. Looks pretty good.

LOL! That nyclad on the right is probably the only hollow point Jesse Jackson would approve of for police service.

I can only attest that the 158 gr +P Federal Nyclad gave me the first one-shot kill on a porcupine I had ever experienced with anything less than a 12 gauge. That out of a (nominal) 2" Colt Lawman. Those quills are better than Kevlar.

I keep the Remington 158gr "+P" SWCHP's in most of my .38's. Soft lead, reasonably fast, good reputation. What's not to love? (well, unless you're on the receiving end...) I have Buffalo Bore standard pressure loads in my Chief's Specials.

Right. The lead in Federal Nyclad is almost pure, and is dead-soft. I've gotten good expansion in water from the 158gr.+P Federal Nyclads from snubbies.