Well, I'm giving up on the Pow'RBalls, that's for certain. Just don't cut the mustard out of that short barrel. No expansion, stopped in the 5th jug with the "ball" just falling to the bottom and the remainder of the bullet being slightly flattened at the top, again, showing no expansion.

145 Silvertips are a handful but expand quite well out of the snubby. Not for the faint of heart admittedly. They didn't disappoint.

Now, for the sleeper, the 180 grn Winchester Partition Gold. I pulled this one off expecting to get walloped b/c of the heavy bullet weight but it was a real puppy dog and a nasty expander. Does just what it is supposed to do and is pleasent to shoot. I was shocked.

Anyway, a brief ramble on some snubby ammo testing that is less than scientific but certainly proved to me that, at least in this load, betting your behind on Pow'Rballs is like playing the lottery.

How many jugs did the 145 st's and 180grainers penatrate?
How much did they expand?


Willy

This sounds really interesting...I hope this thread doesn't die too soon.

I've been carrying 180 grn SWCs with the meplat expanded (I mash em down when I size them) The meplat is just slightly smaller than the base of the bullet ahead of the driving band.

However, I only carry this around home and working at the back of the property. If I go into town, I carry the GD SB 135 HP in .38 +P, cuz I'm afraid of over penitration in town.

My carry piece is usually a 686+ that I had chopped to 3 3/4 inches, milled for moon clips and an extended cylinder release added. Topped it off with SBD gold dot front sight and bottomed it down with S&W PC combat grips.




Lately I've been thinking strongly about that Silver Tip in .357 as a good "all around" load, for both in town and around the homestead use.

I'm hoping to get some good info here.

Cayoot,

Good looking custom piece...thanks for posting the photo.

MOONDAWG

quote:

Originally posted by MOONDAWG:
Cayoot,

Good looking custom piece...thanks for posting the photo.

MOONDAWG

+1

That's a cool heater!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words. I decided to make it exactly what I wanted in a carry gun. I've had (and carried it) for about 5 years now. Never regreted a penny of it! It's still exactly what I want.