Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-14-2009, 12:06 PM
baxtereyes baxtereyes is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: GA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

There has been a significant amount of discussion about forcing cone damage with hot low weight bullets is K frames. I own several K frames in 38 spl and .357.

I am looking for suggestions of 38 spl rounds that will produce good effect and little chance of damage to the weapons.

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-14-2009, 12:06 PM
baxtereyes baxtereyes is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: GA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

There has been a significant amount of discussion about forcing cone damage with hot low weight bullets is K frames. I own several K frames in 38 spl and .357.

I am looking for suggestions of 38 spl rounds that will produce good effect and little chance of damage to the weapons.

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-14-2009, 12:20 PM
Bullseye Smith's Avatar
Bullseye Smith Bullseye Smith is offline
Member
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mountain State
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 56
Liked 379 Times in 149 Posts
Default

Any thing you want. I would stay away from 125gr. +P's, other than that have fun finding the best round for each gun. Some like to eat something that the other spit out .
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-14-2009, 04:56 PM
MX-5 MX-5 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Hi. I own two S&W revolvers (M14 and M36), both in .38 Special. I've been experimenting with different ammo and wasn't completely satisfied with what I was able to find. Then, on a recent trip to the NRA Range, a staff person suggested that I try a box of reloads (125 Gr TCJ/FP) manufactured by "Mastercast Bullet Company." The price was right (only about $10 for 50 cartridges with brass cases), but I was skeptical. I bought one box and was greatly impressed. The cartridges looked better than some premium brands, the powder was clean burning, the recoil was mild, and the performance was consistent from the first cartridge to the last. These reloads are now my ammo of choice whenever I go to the NRA Range with a .38 Special. They sell retail. Here's a link: http://www.mastercast.net/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-14-2009, 06:23 PM
Wyatt Earp Wyatt Earp is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts
Default

If you are looking for defensive loads look no firther than the 158 grain +P lead semi wadcutter hollow points from Buffalo Bore, Winchester, and Remington.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-14-2009, 06:56 PM
devilfrog1911's Avatar
devilfrog1911 devilfrog1911 is offline
US Veteran
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southern Nevada
Posts: 211
Likes: 42
Liked 130 Times in 35 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
If you are looking for defensive loads look no firther than the 158 grain +P lead semi wadcutter hollow points from Buffalo Bore, Winchester, and Remington.
+1. Recoil is moderate to "don't hardly notice it at all" in a K frame
__________________
Jon
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-17-2009, 06:16 AM
AKAOV1MAN AKAOV1MAN is offline
US Veteran
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 28
Liked 381 Times in 99 Posts
Default

What they said. The 158 SWCHP +P load is time proven to be reliable and accurate. I agree that Buffalo Bore is probably the best iteration of this load, but Remington, Winchester and Federal are about as good, IMHO. I have used it for 30+ years now and it has never failed me.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-17-2009, 06:48 AM
AKsRule's Avatar
AKsRule AKsRule is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by baxtereyes:
There has been a significant amount of discussion about forcing cone damage with hot low weight bullets is K frames. I own several K frames in 38 spl and .357.
I am looking for suggestions of 38 spl rounds that will produce good effect and little chance of damage to the weapons.
Your suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks
You are NOT going to Damage any S&W K frame revolver in serviceable condition by firing FACTORY .38 Special ammunition
of ANY KIND.


End of Story.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-17-2009, 07:09 AM
28gauge 28gauge is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I just starting shooting Buffalo Bore's standard .38 load with the 125 gr Speer hollow point. Good velocity and energy (exceeds a Federal Hydra Shok 129 +P). Handles well out of my J Frames.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-17-2009, 08:43 AM
Wyatt Earp Wyatt Earp is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by AKsRule:
You are NOT going to Damage any S&W K frame revolver in serviceable condition by firing FACTORY .38 Special ammunition
of ANY KIND.


End of Story.
No kidding.....

This K frame "fragility" is taking on epic proportions due to the repetition of exaggerated information through the errornet.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-17-2009, 11:09 AM
Vanman's Avatar
Vanman Vanman is offline
Member
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Long Island, home of T.R.
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

Check this out for defensive ammo
http://www.stoppingpower.net/
__________________
I'm not Fonda Hanoi Jane!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-17-2009, 12:03 PM
perpster perpster is offline
Member
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times in 13 Posts
Default

It's only some .357 loads that ***might*** damage the forcing cone. Any .38 Spcl load will not damage it.
__________________
NRA Life Member
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-17-2009, 04:44 PM
LOBO's Avatar
LOBO LOBO is offline
SWCA Member
Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame Ammo Reccommendation 38 spl 3 and 4 in. K frame  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 1,112
Liked 1,865 Times in 440 Posts
Default

The .38 special load I use for self defense is Speers 135gr +P short barrel load. I use it in guns that have 2"-4" barrels.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
k frame, m14, m36, model 14, nra, remington, sig arms, wadcutter, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
K-FRAME AMMO Hang-Fire Hank S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 6 07-10-2016 03:48 PM
38+p k frame and 38-44 ammo serialsolver S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 13 06-11-2014 01:39 PM
Holster for 4 Inch N frame, Matching Ammo Holder and N Frame Magna Stocks CQB27 Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 3 05-17-2012 09:42 PM
J-frame ammo? 45doubletap S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 39 01-10-2011 10:34 AM
Plus P ammo in K frame 15-4 suda S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 12 10-12-2008 07:55 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:53 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)