I just purchased a mechanically perfect, but aesthetically challenged M36 (no dash, not +P). I bought a box of the Personal Defense - Low Recoil Federal Premium 110 grain Hydra-Shok, JHP and wondered what you guys thought of the round. It will be primarily a glove box, night stand, walk the dog piece. Thanks!
Federal Hydra-Shok?
- Thread starter mod34
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Nframe357
Member
Personally I don't like 110 gr loads in 38, too light a bullet at not enough velocity. If it were mine I'd carry 158 LSWCHP +P's, a few +P's now and then will not hurt your model 36. Hydra Shoks are a good, solid design that has been performing for years, the 110 load has light recoil.
aterry33
Member
I agree with the other two posters--also check out Speer 135+P short barrel gold dots.
flop-shank
US Veteran
I don't fully agree with the others. There are good 110 gr. loads, I'm just not sure of the one you've chosen. Use what shoots to POA. As LT JL said, that will likely be the FBI load, and I agree with the advice to use that load if that's the case. If POA/POI is dead on with 110s use DPX and never look back. As was also suggested, Speer Short Barrel 135 is good too. Use what hits where it should. 110 gr. bullets can penetrate fine if they are designed well.
BreakerDan
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Messages
- 241
- Reaction score
- 34
I have personal experience with this EXACT load you are talking
about. It is absolutely the most awful 38 special load made.
I would not trust my life or anyone else to this pathetic loading!
I had to euthanize a dog that was hit by a car with this load from
a full service size pistol with a 4" barrel. I have killed over 100
feral hogs in traps and many injured dogs with everything from .22 to 45 Colt-I know exactly where to put a slug to make it instant. Anyway, I used the 38 110gr Federal just once for this! When I tried to shoot the dog, the pistol was about 6" from its head at a straight angle-no sharp angles or glancing shots. The first shot did not penetrate the dog's skull. Neither did the second. At this point, the dog tried to get up. It took two more to the chest to make it go down. Not the way to do things!!!!
I later decided to shoot this round into a wax candle just to see what it did. It expanded nicely, but didnt make it through the candle! By the way, the velocity on that is about 770! That is way too slow.
Use 38+P Remington 158 LSWC-HP. The effect of the 158 load is excellent. Avoid anything less than 125gr in 38s at all cost. Your Model 36 will handle +p just fine. They are tuff little guns.
In my case, I was using a full size 38- the 110 is even worse in a snub nose. The velocity will be much lower.
about. It is absolutely the most awful 38 special load made.
I would not trust my life or anyone else to this pathetic loading!
I had to euthanize a dog that was hit by a car with this load from
a full service size pistol with a 4" barrel. I have killed over 100
feral hogs in traps and many injured dogs with everything from .22 to 45 Colt-I know exactly where to put a slug to make it instant. Anyway, I used the 38 110gr Federal just once for this! When I tried to shoot the dog, the pistol was about 6" from its head at a straight angle-no sharp angles or glancing shots. The first shot did not penetrate the dog's skull. Neither did the second. At this point, the dog tried to get up. It took two more to the chest to make it go down. Not the way to do things!!!!
I later decided to shoot this round into a wax candle just to see what it did. It expanded nicely, but didnt make it through the candle! By the way, the velocity on that is about 770! That is way too slow.
Use 38+P Remington 158 LSWC-HP. The effect of the 158 load is excellent. Avoid anything less than 125gr in 38s at all cost. Your Model 36 will handle +p just fine. They are tuff little guns.
In my case, I was using a full size 38- the 110 is even worse in a snub nose. The velocity will be much lower.
GatorFarmer
Member
That box shouldn't last you a long time. You should go out and fire it, and several more like, and learn how your gun performs with it and where the bullets hit.
Hydrashoks are getting to be old technology. The HSTs or Gold Dots are usually considered to be a better design by the folks who test such things.
If you're on a budget, look for the Rem/UMC 125 gr JHP +P that comes in 100rd value packs from Walmart. Old technology, but the lead is relatively soft (or at least seems softer than the comparable WWB offering that is actually more expensive). The nice thing about these is that one can afford to actually practice with and use them.
S&W has told different people different things as to whether a Model 36 has an official blessing for +P use. I've never cared and only use +P. If I wear a gun out somehow, I'll throw it out and get a new one.
If you can't find any decent JHPs or can't afford them, there's always the option of using SWCs or wadcutters.
Hydrashoks are getting to be old technology. The HSTs or Gold Dots are usually considered to be a better design by the folks who test such things.
If you're on a budget, look for the Rem/UMC 125 gr JHP +P that comes in 100rd value packs from Walmart. Old technology, but the lead is relatively soft (or at least seems softer than the comparable WWB offering that is actually more expensive). The nice thing about these is that one can afford to actually practice with and use them.
S&W has told different people different things as to whether a Model 36 has an official blessing for +P use. I've never cared and only use +P. If I wear a gun out somehow, I'll throw it out and get a new one.
If you can't find any decent JHPs or can't afford them, there's always the option of using SWCs or wadcutters.
After reading BreakerDan's review of this ammo I was rather troubled as I bought a box of this and had it in the cylinders of both my 442 and 642.
So I went to the range today and fired off all of them.
Pathetic isn't the word.
I could literally see the projectiles as they flew downrange. Not really that much of an anomoly as I can see .45 ACP and other slow movers on occasion. But these LOOKED to be VERY slow. Too slow.
With that aside, what really troubled me was the fail to fires that I had with three out of the 20 rounds. Good, solid primer strikes with no bang to follow.
Bought 100 rounds of Federal Nyclad plus P and didn't look back. These performed well and had good accuracy. And to tell you the truth, the Nyclads didn't have much more if any more recoil than the so called low recoil rounds.
I won't buy the low recoil Federal load again. Worst ammunition I have fired in quite some time. I would strongly urge the OP to at a minimum test fire his rounds and see for yourself.
As soon as I can find some of the Speer short barreled Gold Dots, I am going to go with that.
So I went to the range today and fired off all of them.
Pathetic isn't the word.
I could literally see the projectiles as they flew downrange. Not really that much of an anomoly as I can see .45 ACP and other slow movers on occasion. But these LOOKED to be VERY slow. Too slow.
With that aside, what really troubled me was the fail to fires that I had with three out of the 20 rounds. Good, solid primer strikes with no bang to follow.
Bought 100 rounds of Federal Nyclad plus P and didn't look back. These performed well and had good accuracy. And to tell you the truth, the Nyclads didn't have much more if any more recoil than the so called low recoil rounds.
I won't buy the low recoil Federal load again. Worst ammunition I have fired in quite some time. I would strongly urge the OP to at a minimum test fire his rounds and see for yourself.
As soon as I can find some of the Speer short barreled Gold Dots, I am going to go with that.
Erich
Member
Great post, BreakerDan.
palmetto99
Member
I don't keep these 110's loaded, but I do keep them in my speed strips. I'm going to have to rethink these. Thanks for the input folks.
roaddog28
Member
I agree with most the other posts. Another good FBI load is from Buffalo Bore product #1711388. This is the FBI load and rates up there with Winchester. As of this morning they were availiable at Midway USA online. I have also a one box of the Federal Premium Defense Ammunition 125G Nyclad product #724210. The Federal is a standard pressure and the Buffalo is a +P. Midway is backordered on the Federal but they do get them. 110G ammo in any 38 special revolver is too light. Stay with these above or the Winchester if you can get em.
Good luck,
roaddog
Good luck,
roaddog
xopher88x
Member
SD Choices
I carry the Gold Dot 135gr +P Short Barrel in my 642. It's in all my Speed Strips and speed loaders too. I find it no more punishing recoil wise than WWB or Rem UMC practice stuff of the same weight. It's pricey to shoot a lot of it for sure but you have to be educated in your selection. They are dead on accurate under about 25' out of the 642. Also, for what it's worth, after seeing first hand how accurate this round was, I switched from a 124gr Hydra-Shok to a 115gr Gold Dot in my 9mm (S&W 908). I'm on the Gold Dot bus.
I carry the Gold Dot 135gr +P Short Barrel in my 642. It's in all my Speed Strips and speed loaders too. I find it no more punishing recoil wise than WWB or Rem UMC practice stuff of the same weight. It's pricey to shoot a lot of it for sure but you have to be educated in your selection. They are dead on accurate under about 25' out of the 642. Also, for what it's worth, after seeing first hand how accurate this round was, I switched from a 124gr Hydra-Shok to a 115gr Gold Dot in my 9mm (S&W 908). I'm on the Gold Dot bus.
reerc
Member
I picked up a box of those low-recoil 110 gr. Fedrals several months ago - just because I could. Guess they just turned into range ammo.
I currently carry the Fed 110gr JHP Personnel Defense rounds in my 342, 642, and Colt Cobra. When I can obtain the Fed Nyclad 125gr JHP I'll test it out in my lightweights. I use the Speer GD 135gr JHP in my steel frame 38"s.
From Combat Handguns Nov 2005 tests by Mike Boyle. Rounds fired into 10% ballistic gelatin covered with four layers of denim. S&W 640 was the test revolver.
Fed 110gr JHP PD:
Vel - 815fps
Pen - 13.75 inches
ED - .44
Fed Nyclad 125gr JHP:
Vel - 841
Pen - 17 inches
ED - .408
Speer GD 135gr JHP:
Vel - 896
Pen - 14.75 inches
ED - .528
regards
From Combat Handguns Nov 2005 tests by Mike Boyle. Rounds fired into 10% ballistic gelatin covered with four layers of denim. S&W 640 was the test revolver.
Fed 110gr JHP PD:
Vel - 815fps
Pen - 13.75 inches
ED - .44
Fed Nyclad 125gr JHP:
Vel - 841
Pen - 17 inches
ED - .408
Speer GD 135gr JHP:
Vel - 896
Pen - 14.75 inches
ED - .528
regards
I like Mike Boyle and have attended some classes he has taught, including one on the use of snubbies. The data and testing I have witnessed differ significantly from the results you posted. Of the three loads you listed, I personally feel only the Gold Dot is acceptable. I believe the 38 snub is a marginally effective weapon and about as small in size and caliber as one should go. IMO it's at its' best in the BUG role.
Being a civilian CCW carrier I rely on others in the firearms field that test ammo performance (note I did note say stopping power) to some, but not all, of the performance criteria the FBI uses for selection of ammo.
For the non-LEO/civilian scenarios I may encounter, I look for posted results of 10% gelatin/4-layers of denim testing of ammo that meets the minimum penetration distance of 12 inches. I don't factor in one-shot stop percentages, recovered expanded diameter, foot pounds of energy, etc. Nor do I care about wet phone book or water jug testing of ammo. My choice in carry caliber starts at .38spl and goes up from there.
The rest is up to me; using a reliable firearm, good training & regular practice, proper mindset, and (I hope) the ability to recognize the deadly threat I'm confronted with and respond accordingly.
Although his ammo testing is performed mostly for LE duty use, I do read and pay attenion to the ammo postings/recommendations of DocGRK.
regards
For the non-LEO/civilian scenarios I may encounter, I look for posted results of 10% gelatin/4-layers of denim testing of ammo that meets the minimum penetration distance of 12 inches. I don't factor in one-shot stop percentages, recovered expanded diameter, foot pounds of energy, etc. Nor do I care about wet phone book or water jug testing of ammo. My choice in carry caliber starts at .38spl and goes up from there.
The rest is up to me; using a reliable firearm, good training & regular practice, proper mindset, and (I hope) the ability to recognize the deadly threat I'm confronted with and respond accordingly.
Although his ammo testing is performed mostly for LE duty use, I do read and pay attenion to the ammo postings/recommendations of DocGRK.
regards
skeeterbait
Member
I think it has proper applications. I load it in a 3" J-frame model 60 for my wife for home defense. She can empty a cylinder of it with excellent accuracy. She cannot do that with 158grn or +P ammo. She is not timid of it and enjoys shooting with the reduced recoil so I get her to spend more practice time. Lowered report and flash could be an advantage in a dark house. The extra barrel length raises the velocity a bit also probably helping expansion. I believe this is the proper purpose and application for this round.
Five of these center of mass trumps one +P in the shoulder and four in the door frame.
Five of these center of mass trumps one +P in the shoulder and four in the door frame.
Last edited:
Similar threads
