I know, I know... dead horse kickin' time.

I just got a 2 inch K frame model 64. I've never carried +P ammo because I've always owned (and carried) Airweight revolvers.

Until now.

What's the best ALL AROUND +P round for an all steel snubbie? There's too damned many companies making this stuff for me to keep up with. What do YOU guys tote and why?

I like Speer Gold Dot 135gr HP +P short barrel.

But you can't go wrong with a 158gr LSWC in standard pressure, and they come in all different flavors like HP,HB,etc. and in my neck of the woods are easier to get than the Speer short barrels.

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NRA Member

Who makes the 158gr LSWCHP? Or are there several makers/manufacturers out there?

+1 on the Speer Gold Dots. They are my favorite snub load.

Remington makes an FBI load: Remington R38S12

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Aaron Terry

Do the Speer GDs come in any other weight other than 135? Or is that pretty much standard?

ETA: According to Speer's website, it's only offered in 125gr weight.

LSWC = Lead Semi Wad Cutter there are several companies that make them


the Speer GD come in 125gr for standard and +P the 135gr are the short barrel loads that are ideal for a snubbie.

Also try the Buffalo Bore stuff they make 125gr +P and 158gr +P LSWC but you can also get them in standard pressure but they always feel stronger than standard stuff.
here are links:http://www.proammo.com/c-56-38-special.aspx
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalo...cutter-hp-ammo
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalo...mmo-38-special
http://www.tds-us.com/catalog.php/td...r_Gold_Dot_LEO
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=171388
these should at least get you started pm me if you need more.

these are a good +P 158gr LSWC
http://www.tds-us.com/catalog.php/td...38G__50_ROUNDS

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NRA Member

I use the remington 158gr LSWCHP +P.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

110 gr. DPX is a more reliable expander than Speer 135 gr. SB based on my tests, but every other test I've seen suggest that they're great. The FBI load has a great reputation that didn't happen by accident. Why don't you try a box of Speer and if they're grouped at POA, look no further. If they're low try the FBI load, if they're high try DPX. You've got three great loads in three weights to choose from. See what the gun thinks.

I've used two different loads in my +P .38 Snubbie.

The 135 gr Speer short barrel load. Hits point of aim, what more can I ask?

125 gr Gold dot bullet, +P load from Double Tap. She's a humdinger with a little more felt recoil but still point of aim. I haven't been able to personally chrono them but a gent who did was pretty much getting factory velocity. Around 1100 FPS from a snub is pretty good!
DoubleTap Ammunition

Just a reminder: the Speer 135 grain +P HP was developed specifically for use in snubbie revolvers at the request of the NYC PD.

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I shoot, therefore I am.

I like the magtech 158hp standard 38spec. It gets a constant 810fps to 825fps in my 642-1. Alot more bullet weight and the same as the Rem. 158swc-hp+p in fps. The +P Rem lswc-hp is no faster in my 642 over the crono at 5 feet. Most +p loads are near standard speed and plus nothing ,but cost more for nothing. Penatration with the proven 158 Lswc-hp or 158gr. hp are gueen in a gunfight over the 110-125 135gr light pills. Which most only hit 875fps in a snubby.

110 gr. +P DPX and Speer SB penetrate fine. I think my Perma-Gel results are in the Perma-Gel Test Results thread. If they're not, I'll gladly repost them if anyone is interested.

The Buffalo Bore +P 158 LSWC-HC is a stomper...not for someone that is recoil sensitive. Their standard pressure version is enough for most shooters.

I like the 38+P Remington 158gr lead hollowpoint that is known as the FBI load in my J frame snub. I consistently get 800+ fps from it in 2" barrels and good expansion. I will also use Federal 38+P+ 147gr Hydra Shock which was the last load the the FBI authorized for revolvers-to my knowledge. According to some agents, the 38 FBI load was equivalent to 45 ball.

I would avoid any bullets of lighter weight than the 147gr. The 135 Gold Dots do expand well, but I want more penetration. The 125 Gold Dot 38s
only get about 8" penetration on average and that is simply not enough.

The 110gr bullets are mediocre at best from a 4" tube, and are near useless from a snub. The Border Patrol used a 110gr 38+P+ Winchester load in the early 1980s and it was awful sometimes and good the next minute. It all depended on if it penetrated or bounced off-literally That load generally penetrated about 6" in gelatin. I have personally seen what a 110 gr 38 load will do and it is absolutely awful for defense. Believe me you don't want to put that in your 38. 38 158 LRN would be better than 110JHPs in my opinion.

Carrying light pills in a 38 snub makes your gun into a .380 auto. Not what I want! Just my 2 cents.

Speer .38+P 135 gr. Short Barrel Gold Dot/ 1 7/8" S&W 360 PD
Round #1; bare P-G; 14" pen. .572 rec. dia.
Round #2 4 layer denim/P-G; 17 1/2" pen., no expansion, rec. base forward.

Corbon 110 gr. 38+P DPX/1 7/8" S&W 360 PD
Round #1; 4 layer denim/P-G; 12.75" pen.; .620 avg. rec. dia.

Corbon .38+P 110 gr. JHP/ 1 7/8" S&W 360 PD
Round #1; 4 layers denim 16" pen.; .590 avg. rec. dia.

I thought 110 gr. bullets were underpenetrators too, until I ran some tests and realized I was wrong. Bullet design has as much to do with it as bullet weight does. All bullets are not created equal.

FBI load results are available at www.brassfetcher.com . Also do a search in the Test Bed forum at www.stoppingpower.net for any results for various loads you are interested in.

Buffalo Bore 158gr. Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

I'm guessing these rounds would be quite impressive in a 4" barrel.

Anyone have any testing with this round?

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ACF

Probably the best, but I have less than a box. I also have a few boxes of Federal Nyclad 158gr +P, which is probably just as good, or close enough. The 158s probably give the best penetration, the +P HPs in soft lead may expand, and 158s are usually what shoot to POA with fixed-sight guns.

Excellent observations!

I'm another big fan of +P 158 grain SWCs, factory loaded or equivalent hand loads. All my .38 Special self defense revolvers are so loaded, regardless of barrel length. I settled on this load years ago and it's a comfort to be able to bypass dithering over which of the "latest and greatest" offerings to try. Field use of the +P 158 load has proved it to be effective against critters and varmints and, with good shot placement, it will make an assailant have a bad day.

I like those Speer and Buffalo Bore short barrel loads myself. Using loads designed for longer barrels means lots of flash and extra recoil because the powder is still burning after the bullet exits that snubby little barrel.

I do like 148 grain semi-wadcutters for me to practice with. I load with something like 3.7 grains of HP38, which is a minimum load. It's gentle with me.

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Regulate Banks, not guns

Lots of ideas guys! Thanks!

I decided on the Speer "Short Barrel" 135gr +P Gold Dots. It got lots of praise by everybody here, AND my local toy store has them in stock.

He's a little high at $23 a box, but as I've gotten older, I've come to realize that it's more important to spend a little more and keep your dollars in your home town, than it is to get something for a few bucks cheaper somewhere else.

Of course, you could get a bigger box.........