Target wadcutters in a good revolver, even a snubby, are almost machinegun-like in the hands of a practiced shooter.

Thanks for all the quick responses.

Looks like I've got several options to try. I need to find a combination that both me and my revolver like. I hadn't even considered wadcutters. I've got a bunch (match ammo) and I'll give them a try as well.

I'm not recoil sensitive, but I have less confidence in a follow-up shot with +P because of muzzle flip, but I'll give them a try as well.

Thanks again!

quote:

Originally posted by WayneM:
I'm not recoil sensitive, but I have less confidence in a follow-up shot with +P because of muzzle flip

Don't worry. It's not really an issue, particularly with an all-steel gun.

Never shot any, but .38 Special 125 grain Remington Golden Sabers are supposed to shoot softer than the avereage +P load. Something about less bullet crimp permitting a reduction of the power charge. Surely they must outperform wadcutters.

quote:

Don't you think that a tad too hot for a m-36?

The Model 36 is a steel framed revovler and perfectly suited for +P ammo. I've shot +P from my 36-1 a lot of times with no harm whatsoever. The steel compacts from S&W are very sturdy and the extra mass helps to tame the recoil. Some of the older lightweight alloy j-frames like a Model 37 might require caution, though.

I'm not concerned with limited use of the +P 158 grain factory loads in my Chief's Special. It handles them better than I do Though not exactly pleasant recoil is manageable and wouldn't be a hindrance in emergency use and shoot close to point of aim.

So I have seen velocity figures for the 158 grain Remington (etc.) lead hollow point loads for guns in the 2 to 3 inch barrel range. Has anyone found stats for this load in a 6 inch gun?

I haven't seen stats. Each gun is a different animal, so your best bet is a chrono.

For a non - +P load that Buffalo Bore load has a lot going for it. It is heavy for good penetration, sharp shouldered, soft enough to give some expansion, shoots to point of aim, and is easy to handle. The Buffalo Bore +P version of that loading is a great load, but of course the extra velocity raises recoil some over the non - +P. The +P version is about like the old .38/44 High Speed and is better today with advances in loading techniques and lower pressure powders.

I like the hotter +P and +P+ loads from Cor-Bon and Buffalo Bore.

I use Winchester Personel Defense .38 +P 125 gr. JHP . From the tests that I've seen, it works as good as most of the high priced designer ammo. It's accurate and expands reliably.

The lighter weight (125), and the extra +P velocity seem to make it expand easily. I'm convinced!!!! Bob

I keep reading how good the Nyclad non +P is.
I have read this on many forums.
People keep saying if you can get some, use it.
I have a full box that must be 30 years old.
It's been stored in a cool dry place.
My question is, no matter how good the design
may have been, how can it be so much better than
current production ammo, that people would suggest
using ammo that is 30 years old instead?

quote:

Originally posted by BobK:
I use Winchester Personel Defense .38 +P 125 gr. JHP . From the tests that I've seen, it works as good as most of the high priced designer ammo. It's accurate and expands reliably.

The lighter weight (125), and the extra +P velocity seem to make it expand easily. I'm convinced!!!! Bob

If you can find it, the Remington/UMC 125gr +P SJHPs in .38 special seem to use a softer lead than does the WWB offering. I used to carry and shoot the WWB's in my 337 (couldn't use the FBI load in it, and the 135gr Golddot SB load was even harder to find at the time and brand spanking new). My understanding was that penetration was decent but that the best expansion out of a snub was likely to be around .48 caliber, though that information came from an old issue of Shooting Times.

I still have some of the UMC left that I found for 20 dollars per 100 on clearance at a local Walmart. Unlike my last box of the WWB, I didn't find 10 percent of the ammunition per box to have deformed tips or other obvious defects. WWB seems to be having QC issues as of late.

quote:

Originally posted by coach22:
I keep reading how good the Nyclad non +P is.
I have read this on many forums.
People keep saying if you can get some, use it.
I have a full box that must be 30 years old.
It's been stored in a cool dry place.
My question is, no matter how good the design
may have been, how can it be so much better than
current production ammo, that people would suggest
using ammo that is 30 years old instead?

It'd probably still go off, as properly stored ammunition lasts a long time... Still... 30 years is a long time. I believe that there are modern offerings, even in non +P that are decent, but some people were quite fond of using those Nyclads, esp. in older alloy frame revolvers.

When I shot a .38 spl. Nyclad standard pressure into Perma-Gel through four layers of denim it expanded enough to look like a blue trumpet. IIRC it's diameter was about .43" I'm guessing it's a good load out of a two inch barrel if all it will hit is a t-shirt before the shootee. Out of a 3" I would say it was good year round.

As Gator mentioned, if I were to use a 125 gr. +p it would be the Remington. Really though, the gun must decide.

Another vote for the Remington 158gr. +P LSWHP!

If not Remington, then Federal, Winchester or Cor-bon in the same load.

No reason to run jacketed stuff at all.