38 special 95 gr silvertip winchester

[BigJohn]

Anyone know anything about this ammo? I did not know that Winchester once made this grain of a bullet in silvertips. I just happen to see some at a gun show but did not buy it since I was out of cash. Just curious if anyone remembers it since it was in an older winchester box.

 

[Chromedhearts]

I've never seen it in .38 special but have in .380 acp.

 

[NKJ nut]

This load is a really great way to neuter your .38 spl revolver.

Think of it as .380 in a revolver. The 38 Spl. ctg. is capable of much better performance using heavier bullets. My advice is to skip the 95 grain loads for any serious purpose.

 

[BigJohn]

It was 38 special because I had to do a doubletake when I saw it. I confirmed it was 38 special. I was not looking for it for self-defense just thought it was an oddity since I had never seen or heard of this load before.

 

[safearm]

I have some 110 grain Silvertip, but I have never seen anything in 95 grain except for .380 auto.

 

[BigJohn]

Like I said. I checked it to be sure it was not 380 or any other calibur and it was not. It had on the box 38 special 95 +P silvertips. It was in the older white/orange box. If I had the money I would have bought just to post on her for everybody to see. Oh well, if I ever come across it again I will do so.

 

[flop-shank]

We've discussed that load here before. Erich offered sage words that mirror what NKJnut said. It was something along the lines of, "That's a great way to turn your .38 into a .380".

 

[bmcgilvray]

Seems like a weird thing to do to the .38 Special.

 

[flop-shank]

Seems like a weird thing to do to the .38 Special.

I agree. It would be another matter if the .38 had the high pressure and long barrels (we're talking rifle length) needed to get a bullet that size sizzling fast. It has neither. Not even close.

 

[NKJ nut]

Like I said. I checked it to be sure it was not 380 or any other calibur and it was not. It had on the box 38 special 95 +P silvertips. It was in the older white/orange box. If I had the money I would have bought just to post on her for everybody to see. Oh well, if I ever come across it again I will do so.

John, i don't doubt you for a minute. Matter of fact I had a partial box of this ammo a while back and gave it to my cousin to shoot up.

 

[prescobd]

95 grain .38 Special

I guess I'm getting old, becuase I do remember this round.

I'm sure it was designed as a non +P round for revolvers not rated for +P rounds.

Remington as I recalled also manufactured a 95 grain .38 Special round at the time as well.

 

[RedBerens]

I remember this load, and that Federal also had a 95gr load for the 9mm. Back in the good ol' days when velocity was king, some kind of hollow point was queen, and who cares about the rest.

(a tip of the hat to Erich

 

[darmtn1917]

S&W had a 90gr "pill" in 38 & 357 when they sold ammo. Those were the days when velocity was king.

 

[The Rabbi]

Most "defensive" loads in the 38spc sold today are basically .380s anyway.

 

[Bert Man]

38 special 95 gr Win. Silver tip

This round was indeed produced mid-late 70's as best I can remember. This was during the time when very light bullet/high velocity for handgun ammo was all the rage. They should have stopped with the 110 gr. This round exhibited very shallow penetration and iffy expansion; overall very anemic. Was a very poor loading then and still is now.

 

[stiab]

I remember this load, and that Federal also had a 95gr load for the 9mm.

They still do - XM9R01, I have some but haven't shot any yet.

 

[BigJohn]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess the ammo was older than I thought. I can see why it did not go over big. I think magtech mags some ammo with the same grain load. I assume the ballistics would be similiar.

 

[sigp220.45]

Here's a link to some that was on sale online:

Full 50 Winchester 38 special +p 95 gr Silvertip : Pistol Ammo at GunBroker.com

 

[sheriffoconee]

I too am old enough to remember these..IIRC someone thought they would be good for shootin' bandits with a J frame or other short barrel revolver...you know, velocity without much recoil.....
Never thought much of the idea myself

 

[BigRich315]

What was the recoil like on these loads? It sounds like a decent place to start a new shooter if they're as soft as I suspect (in the .32-20 range).

I have someone that wants to get into it but currently she is very recoil and noise sensitive. She likes shooting .22s and is a good shot, but its time to bump up the caliber. .32-20 is just too expensive so a round like this sounds like a good next step.

My goal is to one day have her driving nails with .44Mag, but thats a very long way off