.38 Nyclad, its back

[norfdet]

Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
This may seem like a stupid question.I know Nyclad ammo was used in the past for snub nosed 38 revolvers but what made that particular round so good and coveted? I have never seen a Nyclad round before ....Thanks Mike

Chalk this up to internet rumor but this is what I remember;

The Nyclad was first developed to make ranges more environmentally friendly (if that's even possible) by reducing the amount of lead in the air. Because of how the lead hollow point is coated, it became a great stopper in that the rounds would open more reliably than current hollow points of the time. Again because of the current competition of the time the Nyclad became extremely popular because of its reliability. Now fast forward about 15 years and I am not sure how they would compare to some current samplings but I would bet what it had going for it is the past reputation and the fact that its not +p. One things for sure, Federal will probably sell as much as they can make!

 

[Wyatt Earp]

With Speer Gold Dots, Hornady XTP and FTPs around, I don't have the need for this.

 

[Jhp147]

Yeah, maybe with modern loadings the Nyclad is not state of the art good, but I really like the idea of a very soft 125 grain bullet with not even copper to slow down the expansion, coupled with a LARGE hole for the hollow point and standard pressure in the aluminum frame. Seems like a very good compromise load, though it wouldn't be my pick for a bigger or heavier gun.

 

[dewidmt]

Excellent! I was down to my last 10 rounds of 125 gr. I still have a box of the 158 gr +P. Are they going to reintroduce it also?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

That's good. I just shot up the last of my Nyclad stash a few weeks ago. Mine were 125 gr. +Ps I'd had (and been carrying) for over 20 years. Figured it was time to freshen up the stash.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by norfdet:

Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
This may seem like a stupid question.I know Nyclad ammo was used in the past for snub nosed 38 revolvers but what made that particular round so good and coveted? I have never seen a Nyclad round before ....Thanks Mike

Chalk this up to internet rumor but this is what I remember;

The Nyclad was first developed to make ranges more environmentally friendly (if that's even possible) by reducing the amount of lead in the air. Because of how the lead hollow point is coated, it became a great stopper in that the rounds would open more reliably than current hollow points of the time. Again because of the current competition of the time the Nyclad became extremely popular because of its reliability. Now fast forward about 15 years and I am not sure how they would compare to some current samplings but I would bet what it had going for it is the past reputation and the fact that its not +p. One things for sure, Federal will probably sell as much as they can make!

Your memory is correct. That is all my wife has carried in her Mod 36 since the day Nyclad came on the market. Perfect load for a 2in gun for someone who doesn't want a lot of recoil, but wants a reliable stopper.

 

[mkk41]

I'd like to see Nyclads in .380 and .45 ACP.

 

[Cruiser RN]

Thank you all for educating me on exactly what this round is and its attributes as a carry round.This sounds like the ticket for all those who shoot +P in a airweight gun.Less recoil and reliable expansion without having to break your wrist getting competent with it.....God Bless....Mike

 

[Buford57]

Originally posted by rdrancher:
I'm sure that the load was quite the stopper out of longer barrels, but out of a snubbie it doesn't look so impressive. Look at the third photo and the chart further down the page.
Pocket Full of Dynamite

rd

That is interesting. The 158 gr. +P did not expand so well. The 125 gr. (which is what Federal is bringing back), almost doubled in size, while still penetrating over 9 inches.

 

[mkk41]

That is interesting. The 158 gr. +P did not expand so well. The 125 gr. (which is what Federal is bringing back), almost doubled in size, while still penetrating over 9 inches.

Heavier , slower bullet with a much smaller hollow cavity.

 

[MTKTM]

Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
This may seem like a stupid question.I know Nyclad ammo was used in the past for snub nosed 38 revolvers but what made that particular round so good and coveted? I have never seen a Nyclad round before ....Thanks Mike

My recollection is that Nyclads were not hugely popular while in production, which explains why Federal quit making the stuff. However, towards the end of the run the 125grain 38 non +P hollow-points acquired a following because it was a soft lead bullet that wouldn't mess up your barrel, and expanded fairly well at modest velocities.....and could be fired in 38s which were not rated for +P, such as the 442s in production at the time. I have two full boxes of the old stuff, have been hoarding it with hopes of selling it for a small fortune and funding a comfortable retirement, but alas, it must not have been meant to be!

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Buford57:
almost doubled in size, while still penetrating over 9 inches.

How much over 9"? If it didn't reach 12, it stays on the shelf.

 

[yanici]

I was fortunate to be able to purchase 50 rounds of the +P, 125 grain Nyclads yesterday from a new friend on another forum. I think I'll use them for warm weather carry. I still want to buy some regular 38 special Nyclads to try out on the range though.

John

 

[mod57]

Was this ammo made by Federal back when it was marketed by S&W?
Regards,
Ralph

 

[yanici]

Originally posted by mod57:
Was this ammo made by Federal back when it was marketed by S&W?
Regards,
Ralph

**********************************************
Not sure if the question is directed at my last post about my buying some +P Nyclads. Anyway, the rounds are stamped "Federal" not S&W on the base. I hope that answers the question.

John

 

[mod57]

Back in the day , Nyclad was marketed by S&W. In fact, I beleive it was an S&W developement to include an S&W marked case head. I was just wondering if Federal made it for S&W back then.
Thanks,
Ralph

 

[Malysh]

Here's what I remember(whether correct or not)
Developed by S&W, later sold to Federal.
Designed to reduce lead in the air for indoor ranges.
Supposedly was able to slip through more layers of clothing than other rounds because of the nylon coating.
Large hollowpoint cavity and solid lead bullet good expansion at close range with 2" snubs, and supposedly designed specifically for 2" snubs.

What I am missing here is that the link to Federal states the round is jacketed. I was under the impression the original ammo did NOT have a jacketed bullet. Is this correct?

 

[mod57]

Did S&W actually manufacture Nyclad ammo or any of its ammo?
regards,
Ralph

 

[allglock]

Anyone have it in stock?

 

[moses]

Years ago when I was a young pup. My local sporting goods store had Boxes of Nyclads the slugs were round nose, semi wadcutter, and wadcutter. $5.99 per box of 500. as a newbe hand loader I bought 4 boxes 1,000 slugs for $24.00 Plus sales tax. When I got them home I dumped them out in a big box. some were RN swc anw wad cutter. I liked the look of the blue round rose with nickle brass. They shot gfreat out of my new 8" Colt phython. then I tryed the semi wad cutters. they were black in color but shot good and very clean. some of the 148 Gr wadcutter were coated to much to load in the 38/357 brass so I culled them out. I still have some of each and wish I could find some one wit a sizer to run the heavey coated 148 gr wad cutter thu but got distracted by a local caster who mad some real nice bullets.