.38 Special +P 158 gr Nyclads

[Steve in Vermont]

I have some .38 Federal Nyclads, (Not +P) in 125 gr and recently ran across 2 boxes of Nyclads in 158 gr +P at my dealers, on a back shelf. Does anyone have any information about this ammo or ever used it before?

 

[squidsix]

I have used it, and whenever I see it for sale anywhere (and usually at any price) I grab it up. It's a fantastic load! From a 4" barrel, I got 1090 FPS and in wet phone books, it expanded nicely. Terrific performer for a K-frame!

 

[badge 851]

I have some .38 Federal Nyclads, (Not +P) in 125 gr and recently ran across 2 boxes of Nyclads in 158 gr +P at my dealers, on a back shelf. Does anyone have any information about this ammo or ever used it before?

I carried the Nyclad 158gr +P as a duty load for over 10 years; and the 125gr in my Mdl 37 BUG. Both loads are excellent, go back and buy them if still available.

 

[bogman]

I have some left over from the 1980's, the best performing round I ever carried. I also have some in .357 magnum. I use both loads sparingly.

 

[roaddog28]

If I could find some at a gun shop I would buy every box. One of the very best for any K frame revolver.
Howard

 

[Texas Star]

Are these made by S&W or by Federal? The latter are supposedly good stuff.

The 125 grain non-Plus P is meant to expand well at a nominal 825 FPS from a snub.

 

[badge 851]

Are these made by S&W or by Federal? The latter are supposedly good stuff.

The 125 grain non-Plus P is meant to expand well at a nominal 825 FPS from a snub.

Federal® bought the patent from S&W®in the early 1980's I believe. S&W hasn't made ammunition in decades that I know of.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Does anyone know when they stopped production of this particular cartridge?

 

[badge 851]

Does anyone know when they stopped production of this particular cartridge?

Are you talking about the 125gr or the 158gr +P?

 

[safearm]

The Federal 158 grain +P Nyclad is what I carry in my 360PD. Great round!

 

[oberon]

I use the standard pressure Federal Nyclads in either loading. They are one of the best performing rounds you can buy. The bullet acts like it is dead lead, but the secret nyclad treatment allows it to be driven at somewhat higher velocities, thereby improving terminal performance. I like 'em and see no additional advantage of using the +Ps. I'm not real crazy about high pressure loads in a .38 special anyway.
For bigger whack, I have several .357s to choose from.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Are you talking about the 125gr or the 158gr +P?

Dave, the 158 gr - I use the 125 gr in my old 36 and 10 but I'm not familiar with the 158.

 

[Texas Star]

Federal® bought the patent from S&W®in the early 1980's I believe. S&W hasn't made ammunition in decades that I know of.

I know. But some here may have that old ammo. BTW, Federal refined it and adapted the thickness of the Nyclad jacket to the particular bullet, to enhance accuracy and expansion. I think their overall QC was better, too.

 

[badge 851]

Dave, the 158 gr - I use the 125 gr in my old 36 and 10 but I'm not familiar with the 158.

Sadly Steve the round is no longer made. As I recall Federal offered Nyclad® in the following 38 Special Loadings..........
• 125gr NLHP Standard Pressure
• 158gr NLRN Standard Pressure
• 125gr NLHP +P
• 158gr NLSWCHP +P

All of these rounds came in 50yd boxes. IIRC Federal® quit making them in 1999 or 2000. After about 8 years or so they brought back the 125gr NLHP that you are presently carrying. It's the same load as before except it now comes in 20 round boxes at a premium price. My wife (63), uses them as her carry load in her steel J frame. She likes them because they are accurate, shoot to POA, and are low in recoil.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Sadly Steve the round is no longer made. As I recall Federal offered Nyclad® in the following 38 Special Loadings..........
• 125gr NLHP Standard Pressure
• 158gr NLRN Standard Pressure
• 125gr NLHP +P
• 158gr NLSWCHP +P

All of these rounds came in 50yd boxes. IIRC Federal® quit making them in 1999 or 2000. After about 8 years or so they brought back the 125gr NLHP that you are presently carrying. It's the same load as before except it now comes in 20 round boxes at a premium price. My wife (63), uses them as her carry load in her steel J frame. She likes them because they are accurate, shoot to POA, and are low in recoil.

Dave, the 2 boxes I found were 158gr +P and, while they looked like they had been there for some time, I had no idea it was over 10 years. Think I'll make an offer and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Dave, the 2 boxes I found were 158gr +P and, while they looked like they had been there for some time, I had no idea it was over 10 years. Think I'll make an offer and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

That's a good idea but don't pass them up if the price is a little high. The new stuff goes for about $1/round. I would think if you can get the 50 round box for $20 you are doing well these days.

 

[joesvintagetackle]

for sale federal .38 specials nyclad tip 50 rnd

i have 3 boxes of 50 rnd federal .38 specials all nyclad tipped any interest email me [email protected] plus other ammo

 

[pete950]

I wish Federal would bring this load back!!!

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

S&W got out of the ammo business around '79-'80. Fed took over the rights to the Nyclad design and produced quite a bit of different loads/bullet designs primarily in 38Spl, a few in 357Mag and two loads in 9mm, 124HP and RN.

Some of the hard to find Fed loads are the 38Spl 158RN, 158SWC and 148WC. There was also a .357 158SWC along with the 158SWC-HP.

About 4-5 years ago Fed reintroduced the 38Spl 125HP+P Nyclad (non-SWC profile bullet) and came in 50 round white boxes and the 20 round Personal Defense box. I believe it was a limited production run.

Cabela's has recently brought out 3 Nyclad loads for their Herters brand ammo using CCI alum cases; one round each for 9mm, .40 and .45.

 

[kaaskop49]

Badge 851: I have 20 rds remaining from a box of the S&W 158 gr LHP .357 load with a wax-type coating on the lead. I believe this is the bullet that Federal picked up to 'Nyclad.' I was always surprised this .357 load did not 'take off,' given the success of the LHP in .38 Spl.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103