38 Special Ammo

[Ronald1]

Is the 158 grain round nose lead 38 special (standard velocity) a good round for the Model 36 2 inch revolver? I don't want ammo that will be too punishing on my revolver. I got a box of the Federal Nyclad personal defense load for the real work. Just wanted something to shoot every now. Ron

 

[Old cop]

Should be no problem for the range.

 

[papajohn428]

Should be no problem for the range.

.......as long as it's ONLY used for the range! They don't call that load the "Widowmaker" for nothing. In a defensive situation, it comes in dead last.

 

[badge 851]

Is the 158 grain round nose lead 38 special (standard velocity) a good round for the Model 36 2 inch revolver? I don't want ammo that will be too punishing on my revolver. I got a box of the Federal Nyclad personal defense load for the real work. Just wanted something to shoot every now. Ron

All fixed sight 38 Special revolvers, Colt®, Rossi®, Ruger®, Smith & Wesson®, and Taurus® are regulated to shoot to point of aim with standard pressure 158gr ammunition. The 158gr ammunition you reference should do just fine FOR PRACTICE; just don't use it for carry ammo. This target ammo will allow your gun to be easier to clean after shooting; and is inexpensive...
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If you want a standard pressure load for self defense, that is as powerful as +P; but without the high pressure, recoil, and muzzle blast choose.....
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The Federal® Nyclad™ ammunition you mentioned performs far, far, far better than any paper ballistics indicate. Put the bullets where you are supposed to and it will do the job. My wife uses it as her carry load. Lastly the Smith&Wesson® Mdl36 is a very fine revolver!

 

[hawgleg]

A 158 gr bullet won't punish your Mod 36 as much as a lighter faster bullet will. I run hundereds through mine each range trip. 158 gr Lswc from pop gun loads to the old FBI loads. The 36 takes them all.

 

[Ronald1]

Appreciate the info gentleman. The Federal Nyclad personal defense seems fine to me. I just didn't know if the heavy lead round nose bullets would be too hard on the 36. hawleg answered that.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

A 158 gr bullet won't punish your Mod 36 as much as a lighter faster bullet will. I run hundereds through mine each range trip. 158 gr Lswc from pop gun loads to the old FBI loads. The 36 takes them all.

Just curious, are these 158 gr reloads and, if so, would you share the receipt? I reload Hornady 158 gr swc with 3.5 gr of W 231 but haven't yet shot them in my (very old) 36 (I've been using 148 gr hbwc).

 

[hawgleg]

I shoot a lot of the Hornady 158 gr lswc. With Bullseye anywhere from 3 gr to 3.6 gr. With Universal Clays for my hotter loads 4.2 to 4.4 between lswc and lswchp.

I think your load of 3.5 Win 231 should be a light sweet shooter. Let us know how they work out for you.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I shoot a lot of the Hornady 158 gr lswc. With Bullseye anywhere from 3 gr to 3.6 gr. With Universal Clays for my hotter loads 4.2 to 4.4 between lswc and lswchp.

I think your load of 3.5 Win 231 should be a light sweet shooter. Let us know how they work out for you.

I'll bet your load of 3 gr BE will be about equal to my 3.5 of 231 since the Hornady manual indicates both 3.1 gr of BE and 3.5 gr 231 will give you 700 fps. It shoots well in my 28 and 67 (but what doesn't). I'll compare it to the 148 wc to see if there's a marked difference in the 36 and let you know. I'm looking to keep the 36 for a lifetime (had it since 69) so I want to keep the loads light.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite standard pressure .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC bullet over 4.0gr W231.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think the 130gr FMJ makes better sense for a practice load if one is carrying 125gr Nyclads for self-defense. They shoot about the same, in my experience. That was the combo I used when I carried Nyclads in my 642. Although I've changed my carry ammo to Speer SB-GDHP, I still use 130gr FMJ for most of my practice sessions. My preference is PMC brand, but any of the versions from the major manufacturers will probably serve you well.

 

[hawgleg]

I'm looking to keep the 36 for a lifetime (had it since 69) so I want to keep the loads light.

I love the m-36 I've got them in 2 in and 3 in barrels blue and nickel, I even got one in stainless steel.

 

[Az Rick]

I agree with ArchAngelCD, my .38's all shoot well with 4grs. of 231. My 6in. Model 10 is a tack driver!

Best, Rick

 

[Ronald1]

Hello
This is the kind of info I was looking for. I wanted commercial/factory loaded ammo since I don't reload. Thanks,Ron

I think the 130gr FMJ makes better sense for a practice load if one is carrying 125gr Nyclads for self-defense. They shoot about the same, in my experience. That was the combo I used when I carried Nyclads in my 642. Although I've changed my carry ammo to Speer SB-GDHP, I still use 130gr FMJ for most of my practice sessions. My preference is PMC brand, but any of the versions from the major manufacturers will probably serve you well.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I shoot a lot of the Hornady 158 gr lswc. With Bullseye anywhere from 3 gr to 3.6 gr. With Universal Clays for my hotter loads 4.2 to 4.4 between lswc and lswchp.

I think your load of 3.5 Win 231 should be a light sweet shooter. Let us know how they work out for you.

Just back from the range. The 158 gr swc with 3.5 gr of 231 was a little more noticeable from the 148 gr with 3.0 gr, however, I also brought along a newly purchased 14-3 to try. I shot at a 2" square yellow sticky and every shot was inside at 15 yards, 3 in a row touching each other. This was with the 148 gr Hornady with 3.0 gr. This was my first time shooting a 6" barrel, all my revolvers have 2 to 4", and that added length sure makes a difference. Think I'll stick with hbwc but move to the 158 swc as the range increases.

 

[chief38]

For accuracy, lack of leading and comfortable all day shooting, there is NOTHING BETTER than the 158 grain RNL bullet! They are the benchmark for me! For self defense ...... well that's another story!

Chief38

 

[Rule 303]

Pratice is Pratice
Self Defense is Self Defense.

For pratice, any of the standard .38spl load work.

For Self Defense I like the 158grn SWLHP +P or the Gold Dots for short barrel with the J Frames. My wife like the 148grn Winchester WC Target for SD and pratice and she's shooting a Model 60 three inch.

Rule 303

 

[harleybd]

38 spl bullets

I just received a 38 spl smith and wessen 2 in bbl its in the 70sworst he said shot once I got a box of hornadys 38 spcl 110 gr ftx says muzzle on box is this bullet safe to shoot can anyone help im new to shooting.

 

[harleybd]

38spl bullets

Srry about last post my step dad gave me gun he said he bought it in the 70s just was wondering about those bullets

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite standard pressure .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC bullet over 4.0gr W231.

Hello
This is the kind of info I was looking for. I wanted commercial/factory loaded ammo since I don't reload. Thanks,Ron

Sorry I posted load data instead of a commercial load. I read a few posts that talked about loads and forgot I was in the Ammo Forum instead of the Reloading forum.

I use Federal Nyclad ammo for carry in my M36 and when I practice I use my reloads but before I reloaded I would buy 130gr Remington UMC ammo for practice.