Ammo for your models 36 or 60 38 special

caryg · Jul 7, 2012

Wondering what kinds of ammo people are using for their Model 36 or 60 in 38 special. What do you practice with and what do you have in it for defense. There is so much ammo out there, just trying to get a feel as to what others are using. Thanks

TAROMAN · Jul 7, 2012

I use the Federal 125 grain Nyclad ammo for carry.
It's often called the "chiefs special load".
Hard to find. I get mine at a local "cop shop".

mc5aw · Jul 7, 2012

If I want to practice with something light, I go with S&B wadcutters, which make the J feel like a pellet gun. Carry-wise, I always have a good quality HP round lined up.

baxtersmith · Jul 7, 2012

I started using lightly loaded wadcutters awhile back for target shooting in my J frames and it makes them a lot more enjoyable to shoot.

sigp220.45 · Jul 7, 2012

My old Model 36 is loaded with this stuff:

Despite its fearsome internet reputation I have no worries it will damage my faithful 5-shot. I qualified with it for years with no ill effect. It is an accurate round that penetrates deeply and almost always expands.

mjb99 · Jul 8, 2012

I mostly shoot mild reloads in my steel j frame - I don't remember the latest version off the top of my head.

For serious use I load it with Hornady Critical Defense (the +p version - I am not at all worried about using +p's in my '80's vintage revolver). The recommendations of Dr. Gary Roberts helped me decide on this load ( BUG's: .380 ACP vs. .38 Sp - M4Carbine.net Forums ). The whole section on terminal ballistics over at m4carbine.net is well worth reading!

Matt

dinooch · Jul 8, 2012

Gold Dot 135gr +P short barrel rounds

Hapworth · Jul 8, 2012

For target shooting I use any of the major manufacturers' ball ammo (usually full metal jacket) from 130 to 158 grain. I find Remington UMC 130 grain shoots reliably, cleanly and well, and is easily found; Winchester's White Box is a close second.

For carry, it's either Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain +P or Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure. If a box of CorBon DPX 110 grain +P magically appeared in front of me, that'd be fine, too.

old bear · Jul 8, 2012

I don't shoot my M-60 much anymore but when I do I shoot Fiocchi 125Gr. standard ammo. When I do carry it, I load Federal 147Gr. P+P ammo, which is the same ammo that Sigp220.45 has pictured. If I have to use the Federal ammo, damage to my revolver will be the last of my worries.

SixGunHunter · Jul 8, 2012

I find my Model 60 to like almost everthing. For plinking I usually find American Eagle easily, so I fire that. I like it.
Defense. I bought Federal, Hornady, Cor-bon and Magtech in both standard and +p. My 60 liked all of it, but I chose Hornady CD 110 gr. because I can find it easy and it was less than 1/4" better @ 10 yds. than the others.My 60 was born in 80'.

caryg · Jul 8, 2012

Its good to see people using the +p stuff, I use it also, never had a problem yet.

Sebago Son · Jul 8, 2012

My 60 is loaded with W-W 158 grn Lead Hollow Points. Stuff is hard to find now, but I used to buy it by the case. Practice is usually a cast SWC over Unique.

Belcher · Jul 8, 2012

hornady critical defense, or rem umc .38 +p semi jacketed hollow point for carry.. and i reload 38 practice loads.. i have been using zero 125g semi jktd hollow points... but may be switching to barrys 158 copper plated hp... 2/3 the price of zeros... and i practice with a hotter load that is close to my carry ammo.. that way you dont get surprised if you actually have to use your carry..

palmetto99 · Jul 8, 2012

For practice, 130 grn FMJ, usually. For carry, 158 grn SWC +P. I also have a bunch of hand loads that are 158 grn SWC that are loaded close to +P.

redlevel · Jul 9, 2012

I carry Buffalo Bore 158 grain swchp +p in my j-frames.
For practice I load 148 grain wadcutters over bullseye powder, and more recently, 158 grain swc over Unique powder. I load a medium range load, not the very mild loads.

JWM · Jul 9, 2012

Practice: My hand load of 4.0 grain of WW-231, pushing any brand 158 grain SWC.
Carry load: Several vintage Winchester boxes of 125 grain JHP's, +P load, left over from my previous LE job. This ammo is about 20 years old, but hey, it was free and it still goes bang.
The gun: My well used 1971, model 36 Chief's Special.

Tam 3 · Jul 10, 2012

Practice with what ever is available and cheap. Carry 158 swhp+p. Works for Mod. 60, 10 and 37.

Regards,

Tam 3

chief38 · Jul 10, 2012

I am a BB 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC fan too!

Chief38

Old cop · Jul 10, 2012

I use the Remmington 158 gr. +P HP in my M38 flat latch and the Gold Dot 135 gr. +P HP in my 340 M&P as well as my 340PD

M3Stuart · Jul 10, 2012

I dial down some handloads for practice and carry nyclads.

Ammo for your models 36 or 60 38 special

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