.38 Spl target ammo out of a 3.5" N frame, 130 gr v. 158 gr. -- Do I care:

[bushmaster1313]

I got this 2.5" 27-2 just for the fun of owning it and shooting it at the range:

Online I see green box Remington UMC and red box Federal America Eagle in 130 gr. and 158 gr., both in round nose FMJ.

Do I really care which case if ammo I get?

 

[rockquarry]

Buy a box of each to see which shoots most accurately.

 

[Rpg]

I'd get the 158 gr just on principle

 

[sheppard]

If you don't already reload now may be a good time to start, especially if you shot your model 27 a lot. .38 special is an easy round to load for.

158 grains is the way to go IMHO as it was the original bullet weight for the .38 special cartridge.

 

[lebomm]

+1 on the 158 gr. as standard for .38/.357. The sights are no doubt regulated for that weight anyway.

Larry

 

[coachray]

I recently bought my first revolver, S&W Bodyguard 38 spl., and have shot 125 gr ammo in it. Will the 158gr ammo increase recoil that much?

 

[bushmaster1313]

I'd get the 158 gr just on principle

I like this response

 

[Skeptic 9c]

I recently bought my first revolver, S&W Bodyguard 38 spl., and have shot 125 gr ammo in it. Will the 158gr ammo increase recoil that much?

Yes it will. I most loads the 158 will not perform well out of the short barrel. Get defense rounds designed for short barrels and practice with 130 gr ball.

Geoff
Who uses 90 gr Hornady Lite because his wife can handle it in her Model 38 or his Model 638.

 

[coachray]

Thanks Skeptic 9c. I thought so, but thanks for the confirmation

 

[Joe4d]

I recently bought my first revolver, S&W Bodyguard 38 spl., and have shot 125 gr ammo in it. Will the 158gr ammo increase recoil that much?

Well that depends, you have to take into account the powder type and charge.
125 grain ammo loaded with slow powder to high velocity out of longer barrels will recoil more than 158 gr ammo loaded with fast burning powder. That and there is a wide range of power level loadings for those bullet weights.
Saying a 158 recoils more than a 125 is like saying A chevy is faster than a ford or vice versa.
As a general guide look up the specs on the specific ammo u are looking at. Take bullet weight and multiply by listed velocity divide by 1000, or just drop the 3 zeros off the end. That gives you the power factor, which will pretty closely correspond with felt recoil in factory ammo. Keep in mind that at a given power factor the heavier bullet will recoil less due to the lighter powder charge.
To the op, Id look for bulk 158 gr SWC,, they make nice round holes in targets.

 

[rockquarry]

Felt recoil is a subjective thing; different to different people. Formulas are fine, but shooting will tell you what you want and need to know. A .38 Special load in a heavy revolver like a 27 is not going to recoil uncomfortably regardless of bullet weight.

 

[DocB]

Standard velocity lead semi wad cutters are always my choice. Don't like FMJ in a revolver. Should you actually need to shoot something besides a target, the semi wad cutters prove much more effective. 158 grains of course. For self defense, Gold Dots.