many of my comments are based on what I've heard or read
Yes, indeedy. Read these gun forums for so long, and you realize it's basically the same general topics over and over and over again. And before you know it, you, too are a Message Board Expert.
p.s., The 135 grain Gold Dots shoot to point of aim from a 637 also.
Originally posted by PeterCartwright: I know the original question related to non +P loads, but, for what it's worth, the Speer "short barrel" load shoots very close to POA in my 642. It also groups very well.
PC
That has been my experience as well in my 442.
But I'm Dutch Loading them, first three are the GD, remaining two are the 158gr LHP +P by Remington. Figure if the Speer don't do the job in three, then the FBI load should take care of matters. YMMV.
Thats a great advantage of a revoler for defense, you can stuff 5-6 different bullet shapes in the cylinder and they all will work. For instance you could have 2 standard wad cutters to go first, then 2+p FBI loads then one of of Elmer's 173 grain hard cast jobs. Not unlike the way we used to load up the patrol car shot gun. We set the gun up so it would fire 3 rounds 00 buck first, then 2 slugs last. Good and sound concept. ANYWAY just food for thought
Posts: 217 | Location: Eastern shore of Maryland | Registered: 08 May 2007
Originally posted by WayneM: I've recently purchased a nice model 36 Chief's special to use as my summer CCW. I have some military surplus Winchester match ball ammo that I shoot in my longer barrel revolvers and it works great in the snubby. It is remarkably accurate. What I'm looking for is a similarly accurate standard pressure hollow point round to use for personal defense (not +P). I tried some Federal Hydro Shock (low recoil) today and was very disappointed. It was very inconsistent in terms of accuracy (don't think I want to "depend" on that stuff).
Do any of the forum members have any recommendations?
I pocket carry my 36, (it's 25 years old) almost every day. I've tried many different rounds I now practice with and carry Hornady .38 SPCL 158 gr JHP/XTP.
I tested a bunch of 38SPL.+P that I have on hand in my 642. The best group was with Corbon 125G. 38SPL.+P. at a rating of 950fps from a 2". It shot POA at 30'. What do you people think of this as a self defense round?
Originally posted by haywood: I tested a bunch of 38SPL.+P that I have on hand in my 642. The best group was with Corbon 125G. 38SPL.+P. at a rating of 950fps from a 2". It shot POA at 30'. What do you people think of this as a self defense round?
I tested the Corbon 110 gr. JHP in Perma-Gel. It's a good load that penetrated VERY deep. It sounds like your gun shoots the 125 gr. load well so we're down to discussing angels. The Sierra bullets that Corbon uses in their JHP loads are very good. I wouldn't worry about expansion not happening, My SWAG is that heavy clothing won't even be an issue. I'd say you've found your load.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: flop-shank,
Don't carry a gun because of what may happen today. Carry because once, just once, and at the least likely time imaginable, you may run into the worst monster you ever could imagine. Be their worst nightmare and resist them with all the stubbornness that our pioneer ancestors posessed. To do less is to be unamerican.
Posts: 3112 | Location: The Rust Belt Buckle/Michigan | Registered: 06 September 2006
I love ammo discussions, at least until they turn ugly. So many options, so many opinions. I, too, like some form of wadcutter in a 1.8" J frame, especially an alloy, despite the fact that I have personal experience with that round failing miserably. On the other hand anecdotal information from any given incident can be very misleading.
No matter which school of thought you go with, +p or standard, HP or wadcutter, etc., those new offerings by Buffalo Bore sure look interesting and are worth serious consideration.
Wadcutters are such great penetrators that pushing them past standard pressure velocities would be pointless and, in fact, a very dangerous overpenetrator IMO. A +p wadcutter would have more recoil and slower follow up shots with little, if any gain in stopping power. One of the best things wadcutters bring to the table is their machinegun-like speed in practiced hands. You'd think someone set the selector switch on the side of your revolver on "auto". I think that Buffalo Bore load makes a lot of sense. I'd love to see how it behaves in gelatin.
Thanks for posting, 336A. The Brassfetcher's findings are perfectly consistent with my experience using Perma-Gel. Only use a hot wadcutter if you aren't concerned about overpenetration. Light target loads penetrate plenty.
Don't carry a gun because of what may happen today. Carry because once, just once, and at the least likely time imaginable, you may run into the worst monster you ever could imagine. Be their worst nightmare and resist them with all the stubbornness that our pioneer ancestors posessed. To do less is to be unamerican.
Posts: 3112 | Location: The Rust Belt Buckle/Michigan | Registered: 06 September 2006
The Sierra bullets that Corbon uses in their JHP loads are very good. I wouldn't worry about expansion not happening, My SWAG is that heavy clothing won't even be an issue. I'd say you've found your load.
