442 Ammo Choice?

[IslayMalt]

When I bought my 442 recently I blindly picked up a box of Gold Dot +p 125 grain HP. Any thoughts? I really don't know sh*t about .38 loads. I bought my wife some HydraShocks for her model 60 because I remember them from my research for .45's. But I'm just curious.

 

[photoman]

Some to try...

Federal Nyclad 125gr hollow point (standard pressure)
Speer Gold Dot 135gr short barrel (+P)
CorBon 110gr DPX hollow point (+P)

I wouldn't lose sleep using those 125gr Gold Dots as long as I could shoot them well in my gun. I would use the Nyclad instead of the HS (assuming you are talking about the 110gr standard pressure HS load).

 

[IslayMalt]

Some to try...

Federal Nyclad 125gr hollow point (standard pressure)
Speer Gold Dot 135gr short barrel (+P)
CorBon 110gr DPX hollow point (+P)

I wouldn't lose sleep using those 125gr Gold Dots as long as I could shoot them well in my gun. I would use the Nyclad instead of the HS (assuming you are talking about the 110gr standard pressure HS load).

Thanks. I'll have to see just what I bought for her.

 

[A10]

I'm using some of the Federal pdw stuff in mine. The recoil is just fine, and the accuracy is great (1 1/2 at 10 yards, plenty good for the intended purpose)

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think the Federal 125gr Nyclad HP and the Speer 135gr Short-Barrel GDHP +P are good choices for a 442. If you can handle FBI loads (158gr LSWCHP +P) in a 442, that would also be a good choice. They're a bit rough for me, though. All three are well-proven in actual shootings.

Of course, the most important thing with SD ammo after reliability is that you can shoot it well.

Until yesterday I carried Nyclads in my 642. I wanted to re-evaluate my ammo selection so I put a mix of Speer SB-GDHP and 130gr FMJ (close, balistically speaking, to Nyclads) in my 642 and did some rapid-fire shooting at 15 feet. I could barely tell the difference in terms of felt recoil and there seemed to be no impact to the rhythm of my shooting or to my group size. I decided to replace my Nyclads with the SB-GDHP, which I already carried as reloads. However, I will be keeping the Nyclads around.

 

[Combat_Diver]

I also carry 125 gr Nyclads in my 442 Pro

CD

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I carry either the Speer 135gr Short Barrel +P ammo or the FBI Load in my M642 or M442. Both rounds work very well for me.

Like said above, you have to find a load YOU can shoot well from your revolver. The best ammo in the world will do you no good without good hits.

All the big name ammo companies have at least one .38 Special defensive round in their inventory and most are made with modern bullets that will do what they are supposed to do. Find one that you can shoot well.

Ammo I've carried in J frames:
Remington FBI Load #R38S12
Remington Golder Saber #GS38SB
Speer 135gr SB GDHP #23720
Federal FBI Load #38G
Federal 129gr Hydra-Shok #P38HS1
Federal 125gr Nyclad HP #P38MA
Winchester FBI Load #X38SPD
Winchester 125gr Silvertip #X38S8HP
DoubleTap 125gr Bonded JHP HERE

All worked well in one revolver or another but not all worked well in all revolvers. IMO I would carry any of them as long as they were accurate in the revolver I was carrying.

 

[Maximumbob54]

You just made me realize since I have a new barrel on my 637 that had a frame crack that I need to see if it still prefers my Fed Hydra Shok 110's or if it's time for some range testing again...

 

[zercool]

I carry the 129g +P HydraShoks in my 642. Good accuracy, good record.

 

[CTP]

I carry the 135 gr Gold Dot SB in my 442.

 

[LOBO]

When I carried a 442, I used Speer GDSB 135 gr +P. My favorite standard pressure load for that gun was Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP.

 

[JayBird686]

I carry 110 gr Hornady Critical Defense in my 442.

 

[off road]

Home defense- Glaser Silver

Street- Hornady Critical Defense (+P)

 

[Robert B]

Refer to my post in this section regarding PDX1 from Winchester.