A Different Federal Nyclad

[Simson-Suhl]

I usual use either a S&W PC 640 or a standard S&W 640, both in 38 Special as my auto gun. Decided to change out the ammunition as it had been a few years since I had done so. Exposed to heat & cold temps over the years. The ammunition for these revolvers is Federal Nyclad of which I still have two boxes of that I had purchased years ago. For fun I shoot handloads. One box is +P the other standard. In the +P box one cartridge is stamped FC 88 rather than the Federal +P marking. I Never noticed that marking before. Any ideas??

 

[S42N8]

FC (or FCC) is Federal Cartridge. Will defer to the experts, but the numerals are as far as I know the year of manufacture, so 1988.

 

[SMSgt]

Gov't contract ammo. I get some empties from my son's qual shoot for a gov't agency and it is all FC and year as you describe.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Still carrying Federal Nyclad?

There have been so many improvements in defensive ammo why carry outdated less effective ammo?

 

[stansdds]

FC 88 would be Federal Cartridge manufactured in 1988 for a government contract. Are there better performing loads for 38 Special and 38 Special +P today? Yes, the Speer 38 Special Short Barrel in standard and +P immediately spring to my mind.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Even though the old blue "Nyclad" load was said to wook for SD use in a 38 J frame snub nose.....

it had minimal energy to go with the light recoil that is was famous for.

Great ammo for the recoil shy but if you can shoot a load with a little more recoil
there are the 130 HST, 125 Rem GS or the 135 GD +P that are the cream of the crop
for the light J fram revolvers.

There is also the all copper 110 bullets if you want minimum recoil
or maybe the light bullet Hornady line of ammo.

 

[transit]

I don't find the Federal HST 130 to have any more recoil than any regular 158 grain .38 Special.

Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP +P notwithstanding.

Far from it.

The Federal HST are the softest shooting rounds I've tried in... I don't know how long. They are soft.

I am desperate to like them. I believe in the compressed case concept. As designed, their velocities seem insanely consistent. Way more than Youtube says about the Speer GDSB.

But they have no real world street results. That counts.

The Speer .38 GDSB have made their bones on the street. Full stop. Carry them. It's on you after that. Put your rounds on target.

The 125 Remington I don't know.