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04-27-2024, 11:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
I used my issued .38 on the street three times and it always did the job. First, 158 grain lead round nose standard pressure, next 158 grain lead round nose high velocity & last 158 grain +P hollow point (FBI round). Maybe luck was on my side. In retirement my EDC is a no-lock 340PD loaded w/Remington 110 grain +P semi-jacketed hollow points.
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Great information and thank you for sharing.
From my LEO experiences the 158 LRN got its job done too. When we went to the +P 125 JHP it did well too.
In retirement I am using Winchester 125 grain +P JHP.
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04-27-2024, 12:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BabaBlueJay
Winchester silver tips have great expansion. I no longer carry 357 for a variety of reasons, but I tested just about every 357 defensive round I could get my hands on and the clear winner was the silvertips which outperformed everything, including Gold Dots in terms of expansion.
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Did you shoot it out of an alloy snub? Recoil?
Last edited by Boscobarbell; 04-27-2024 at 12:32 PM.
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04-27-2024, 02:38 PM
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Location: East TN
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Well now. I just finished testing (seat of the pants) The Buffalo Bore 19E "Lower" Recoil/Low Flash ammo in a 3" Kimber K6s. It appears to be loaded with a Hornady 158 gr. XTP. I fired 48 rounds at 30' all double action and I did not attempt to stage the trigger, just straight pull through. I was able to keep all rounds navel to upper chest and well centered left and right on the standard ATF silhouette target. I fired double taps with about 2-3 seconds between sets and did not lower the revolver until it was time to reload.
I am not recoil shy but 8 cylinders full was enough without risking a sore hand.
I "perceived" the felt recoil to be less than the .357 Mag. WW 145 gr. Silvertips, posted MV of 1,290 (536 ft. lbs.) barrel length unknown, I have been shooting but not by much.
BB posts a MV of 1,172 (481 ft. lbs.) from a 3" S&W M-65 with the 19E load which is 23 ft. lbs. more than their .38 Spec.+P FBI LSWCHP-GC with a posted MV of 1,143 (458 ft. lbs.) from a 3" Ruger SP101 with the 20A load. The .38 load seems to shoot "softer" than what the numbers would lead you to believe...might be the cast bullet...
Positive: The Hornady XTP has a good reputation for penetration and this is the cleanest .38/.357 factory ammo I have ever fired, ever, and I have fired thousands of rounds On an overcast day on a covered firing line there was no distracting flash firing with both eyes open.
Negative: This is most likely the lowest MV which will give any expansion from a readily available JHP. You can change weight and velocity but its an endless spiral chasing "enough" to give the energy, expansion and penetration to get the job done. But in a light weight, short barreled gun it is still a bit too much...
We need the Rim Rock LSWHP loaded to 950-975 fps from a 2-3" barrel in both .38 Spec and .357 Mag.
Best and good luck to you all.
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04-27-2024, 11:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boscobarbell
See my comments above. I've never seen one that performs consistently in gel tests out of short-barrel revolvers.
I, no doubt, could be missing one (or more), but all my searching has only yielded disappointment so far.
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Here is a review of Hornady .38 Critical Defense.
https://www.targetbarn.com/broad-sid...gr-ftx-review/
Penetration was good but expansion was not. Still, I would feel well armed with this round.
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04-28-2024, 01:38 AM
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In all my j-frames, for carry, the Winchester Silvertip 110gr 38spl has been my go-to for years.
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Heavily armed old man.
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04-29-2024, 09:45 AM
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My wife brough home a S&W 360 J 357mag late last year that weights 15 oz empty and I have an old taurus 85 ss 38sp . First change made was a apex J frame trigger kit and next was a hogue mono rubber grip so 3 fingers can be used on it to help with absorbing recoil with the s&w . Now its shoot able for me with old rem 158gr sjhp and its a good solid all around load But not for my wife. Shes prefers the federal 130gr hst micro .
I hope we never need to carry a short barrel revolver as to many 9mm, 40sw and 45 just out preform these 357mag or 38sp .
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04-29-2024, 09:56 AM
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All handgun bullets in .38 SPL and .357 mag. can fail to stop. Shot placement is king. I've killed small Texas deer from 40-50 yards with a Super Vel 137 gr. jacketed soft point with a 4" S&W model 28, back in the day. In my opinion, penetration trumps expansion.
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