642 Ammo Preferences...Please!

Newb ammo questions

I'm familiar with .45ACP ammo, but not .38 Special. I'm picking up a S&W 642CT tomorrow (my first revolver), and the ammo choices are really confusing.

I need some advice on familiarization/training ammo. I bought a box of WWB 38 Spl SJHP +P, and a box of American Eagle LRN. The American Eagle is going to be target ammo. The +P is just to "test the waters" on the 642.

The questions:
1) Is there any disadvantage to using lead round nose ammo? I see a lot of it for sale (online). Will it leave a lot of nasty deposits, etc?

2) What about FMJ ammo? I've seen things stating that it's not good to use a lot of FMJ in a snubby (?). If FMJ is good to go, I think I'd rather use that as training ammo.

3) Same questions as above for wadcutters...

Thanks in advance!
 
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AT1984 said:
1) Is there any disadvantage to using lead round nose ammo? I see a lot of it for sale (online). Will it leave a lot of nasty deposits, etc?
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If you clean diligently, no, lead's not a big deal. Consider getting a Lewis Lead remover. Check with your range ahead of time, though, as some don't allow lead ammo.

2) What about FMJ ammo? I've seen things stating that it's not good to use a lot of FMJ in a snubby (?). If FMJ is good to go, I think I'd rather use that as training ammo.
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Never heard of FMJ being a problem in a snubby or any other revolver -- can't imagine why it could be.

3) Same questions as above for wadcutters...
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Wadcutters are fine, too, good at the range for their lighter recoil, and some swear by them for defense.
 
Federal-Hi-Shok-Target.jpg


The facts presented in Mr. Hapworth's detailed response are the reasons we chose this ammo. Note the nice round holes, like wadcutters. The 125 grain bullets that result in surprisingly light recoil, no more than the inexpensive FMJ ammo we have tried. And, the partial copper jacket protecting the areas where the bullet contacts the forcing cone and barrel to prevent lead deposits.

We were fortunate enough to find this stuff at $0.35 per round delivered, which convinced me to NOT buy another set of reloading dies.

Okay, I might be lazy too. :rolleyes:
 
TucsonMTB said:
Federal-Hi-Shok-Target.jpg


The facts presented in Mr. Hapworth's detailed response are the reasons we chose this ammo. Note the nice round holes, like wadcutters. The 125 grain bullets that result in surprisingly light recoil, no more than the inexpensive FMJ ammo we have tried. And, the partial copper jacket protecting the areas where the bullet contacts the forcing cone and barrel to prevent lead deposits.

We were fortunate enough to find this stuff at $0.35 per round delivered, which convinced me to NOT buy another set of reloading dies.

Okay, I might be lazy too. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Any idea where I might find this ammo, online?
Thanks!
 
I use a bit of a variety of loads in my J's. A pair of them are 642-1's, one from the original production of the +P rated 642-1, and a newer one from the production release when they were first using up their older parts inventory frames to make some new 642-1's in recent years.

Due to ammunition availability both over-the-counter and at my agency, in my J's capable of being used with +P, I've typically been using:
Speer 135gr GDHP +P & 125gr GDHP +P
Rem 125gr HPJ BJHP +P (Golden Sabre)
Win 130gr RA38B/PDX1 +P (same thing; new bonded load)
Rem/Win 158gr LHP +P
Win 125gr JHP +P (old style JHP)

All of those loads have demonstrated good POA/POI in my +P capable J's, in my hands.

Given my druthers, I try to stick with carrying the Speer 135gr +P, Win 130gr +P PDX1 & Rem 125gr +P BJHP. Why? Because I've seen them demo'd in gel testing and do as advertised in the demanding 4 layer denim test shots. (I actually have various J's, speedloaders & speedstrips loaded with all 3 as I write this post, as they were all loaded at different times when different boxes of ammo were closest at hand.)

The 135gr Speer can be hard to get, granted. It's popular and apparently in great demand by LE agencies. It took several months for my agency's order to be filled (from one year to the next). The Win 130gr RA38B +P (RA38B is the PDX1 loaded into 50-rd tan Ranger boxes, versus the glitzy 20-rd PDX1 boxes) was easy to get quickly at that time, though.

I have a fair amount of the 125gr GDHP +P left over, and while I've loaded and carried it when it was the handiest available (while moving, with my ammo mostly packed away, or when the 135gr had been used up at the range in quals/practice), I mostly save it for range use.

I don't recommend +P loads to any of our folks unless they're tried them and have demonstrated the ability to accurately, rapidly & effectively shoot them in their J's (and their J's are capable of using +P loads).

Some folks simply shoot standard pressure loads better. There's something to be said for that.

I remember talking to Dr Roberts one time about his experience with helping train another agency when they were starting a program to allow .38 Spl snubs as both secondary & off-duty weapons. As I recall, he said that preliminary range results indicated the majority of the officers were better able to shoot standard pressure target wadcutters than with +P loads. The ability to make faster, better hits by folks is something to consider.

Obviously, hits on the intended threat target are needed, and misses are just that ... misses. I'd rather hit with a wadcutter than miss with the best +P ever made.

I have a 37-2 for which I keep a couple of standard pressure loads on hand. I'm not going to risk potentially damaging the gun (like cracking the frame at the bottom of the barrel) by using +P. It's too nicely made of a DAO (limited run) Airweight, made on the older "pre-Magnum" alloy frame, to risk damaging it. Instead, I'll rely on being able to make accurate hits with standard pressure JHP loads.

Just my thoughts.
 
Fastbolt said:
. . .
I don't recommend +P loads to any of our folks unless they're tried them and have demonstrated the ability to accurately, rapidly & effectively shoot them in their J's (and their J's are capable of using +P loads).
. . .
Just my thoughts.
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Thank you for sharing your wisdom, sir! Although my experience level is orders of magnitude lower than yours, I concur heartily.

The particular +P round we found may be unusually mild because it feels just like light commercial normal pressure ammo when you shoot it in either our 638-3 or 642-1 J-frames. Despite being cheap, it shoots accurately to Point of Aim for us.

We were fortunate enough to acquire a few boxes of normal pressure, 125 grain Federal Nyclads for carry purposes. They feel just like this semi-jacketed hollow point ammo and their point of impact matches.

Life is good! :)
 
I stick with standard pressure .38s in my snubbies, especially my 642. I don't care what it will "handle" - I care what I can control in order to get a second defensive shot off. What happens at the range stays at the range. What happens on the street is a whole nuthuh smoke! Presently, and I had to take it out to look, actually, I have Hornady XTP rounds in my 642. I could just as easily have had Winchester Silvertips in there - that's why I had to look. I can't recall if they're 125 grains or 158 grains but I will presume 158 grains because that's my preference, heavier, hollow point bullets.

I would not gainsay the use of FMJs or wadcutters and I've done it without considering myself undergunned.

I do use +P .38 Special ammunition but only in my .357s, including my snubbie M19 and M686+. But I don't stoke my short barreled Model 10s that way when I choose to carry one of those and I don't even practice with +P ammo in my J-frames. I might do it at the range a time or two, just to "see", but that's the extent of it when it comes to those little guns.

***GRJ***
 
andyo5 said:
Speer or Remington 125g JHP ammo. It also shoots my 158g lead SWC rounds well. Conventional wisdom says not to shoot 158g jacketed bullets in s short barreled gun like the 642.
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Have you any idea why you should not? I have used them in the past and have worked out well. Am I doing damage to my gun?
Frank.
 
NEW M642CT on the way!

ISCS Yoda said:
I stick with standard pressure .38s in my snubbies, especially my 642. I don't care what it will "handle" - I care what I can control in order to get a second defensive shot off. ... ...Presently, and I had to take it out to look, actually, I have Hornady XTP rounds in my 642. I... ...but I will presume 158 grains because that's my preference, heavier, hollow point bullets.

... and I don't even practice with +P ammo in my J-frames. I might do it at the range a time or two, just to "see", but that's the extent of it when it comes to those little guns.
***GRJ***
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This is what makes sense to me. I have owned my 686 since mid-August 1986, and just love it. That is, other than to carry it. With that in mind I just ordered a no-lock 642CT for SD carry.

At first I was heavily influenced by the 340 because of the ability to use all my .357 ammo in both guns. HOWEVER, after reading much about the possibilities of bullet-pull, I decided to forgo the larger capacity.

In my sixties, I no longer feel I need the "military" level of protection 24/7/365. Sure, personal choice... I just want something I can control accurately and convince my "adversary" that I have either taken them out already, or will shortly... of course as the situation demands, and nothing more or less. I want protection against a potential "battle", and NOT a "WAR", if you understand my point.

In other words, I want ALL gun play to be over before ANY local LEO shows up. Don't care to be the victim of "shoot first, ask questions second" by the local LEO. FYI, I graduated from an LEO academy but chose not to pursue after actually understanding the requirements of the job. At least I considered it.
 
When I was carrying my 642 I was using Hornaday Critical Defense 110 Grain FTX's rounds. Now that I'm carrying a 640 Pro I switched over to Speer Gold Dot 135 grain 38 Plus P rounds.
 
xopher88x said:
I'm a fan of the 135gr +P Gold Dot Short Barrel load if it's gotta be +P. But, I shoot standard pressure soooooo much better out of Airweights that I'm currently running Hornady's 110 gr standard pressure Critical Defense round. Try that Gold Dot round, lot of people like it.[/Q
I'M A FAN OF THE GOLD DOTS THAT YOU MENTION, xopher88x. I USE THEM IN MY 642 AND MY 2 1/2" 686, FOR SD / HD. YOU HAVE PIQUED MY INTEREST IN THE HORNADY 110 GR STANDARD PRESSURE LOAD. IT MAY BE EASIER FOR A SMALL FEMALE TO HANDLE. I'M GOING TO TRY A BOX. THANKS FOR SHARING…..
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plain old fashioned Remington 158 grain +P Lead Semi Wad Cutter Hollow Points in my 642, I am confident that these will work for me if I ever need them.
 
Hornady 158 XTP in a 642

I have had my 686 for nearly 30yr, and recently stocked up on ~5k 158 XTPs for reloading it. I JUST ordered a 642 for personal carry and picked up some HS6 for standard pressures in the .38 round. May inch up to +P.

I noticed that several like the lighter weight bullets in the 442/642.

QUESTION:
Are there any significant issues firing the heavy 158g XTPs at normal .38 pressures that I may need to be aware of? Accuracy, recoil, etc...
 
For snub 38's I load some hot hard cast 148 bnwc that I have. I'm not going to post my load but I seat them out to the top lube groove (puts it right up to the throat), firm crimp, with a charge of unique that is not in the books (at leas not the newer ones). The charge would be considered +p for a 158 swc, which this is seated to the same depth internally.

I forgot to add that if it's a .357 snub I like to find a medium rate powder that has loads for 38spl and 357 mag and find a spot between 38 max and 357 minimum. They're stout but easily manageable.

YMMV
 
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