Anybody still carry the 38+P+ 147gr Hydra Shok

[38-44HD45]

Chrono

I just posted this on another forum that has a thread on Federal 147gr. +P+:

Update, FYI: After doing a long-overdue trigger job on my 4" 10-8, I decided to run a few rounds of this ammo over the chrono Saturday.
Temp: Approx. 70 deg. F
RH: Approx. 90%
For three rounds: Mean vel.: 1063.9 fps.
H: 1090.7
L: 1035.7
ES: 55.0
KE: 370 ft.lbs.

This particular gun has a tight barrel/cylinder gap, and runs fast. It got an average of 943 fps. with FBI loads from the same box that got 771 from the Magnum Carry.

 

[BreakerDan]

I just posted this on another forum that has a thread on Federal 147gr. +P+:

Update, FYI: After doing a long-overdue trigger job on my 4" 10-8, I decided to run a few rounds of this ammo over the chrono Saturday.
Temp: Approx. 70 deg. F
RH: Approx. 90%
For three rounds: Mean vel.: 1063.9 fps.
H: 1090.7
L: 1035.7
ES: 55.0
KE: 370 ft.lbs.

This particular gun has a tight barrel/cylinder gap, and runs fast. It got an average of 943 fps. with FBI loads from the same box that got 771 from the Magnum Carry.

Thanks for the real world info. I had been meaning to chrono these from
my 4" Model 28. I feel confident carrying these rounds-they are at least as good as most 9mm rounds and probably better.

 

[photoman]

I stocked up on the Federal a few years ago when CTD was selling it for $20 a box. Extremely accurate ammo in my guns.

 

[stiab]

Now, is that "Federal version" to which you refer the same as the Hydra-shok version that I have in my pocketses? I was wondering about whether the Winchesters were loaded to substantially the same velocities as the Federals, that's all.

Here's the ones I have, which will be included in the Old versus New test...

 

[Charles]

Here's the ones I have, which will be included in the Old versus New test...

What is this test of which you speak? Sounds interesting.

 

[stiab]

I've acquired a bunch of old and new factory .38 Special ammo and plan on chronographing it to compare velocities. Have been at it for a couple years, hoping to get as much test ammo as possible, but the ammo shortage has caused some problems. Here's a pick of the old stuff so far, and I have an equal amount of newer stuff. I did the same thing with 38 Super a couple months ago and posted the results here and on the Sig forum, but there was much less of that ammo available to test, especially the the older stuff.

 

[Charles]

Great idea! Looking forward to seeing the results!

 

[photoman]

I've acquired a bunch of old and new factory .38 Special ammo and plan on chronographing it to compare velocities.

Hopefully, it has been properly stored. Otherwise, the results wont be very accurate. I look forward to seeing what you find out.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Recent Chrono Data .38 Spl:

Winchester 147 JHP +P+
Ruger 4" Security Six 975 fps SD 6
Ruger 2.75" Speed Six 927 fps SD 14

Federal 147 JHP-HS +P+
Ruger 4" Security Six 1025 fps SD 13
Ruger 2.75" Speed Six 975 fps SD 25

Remington 158 LHP +P
Ruger 4" Security Six 983 fps SD 11
Ruger 2.75" Speed Six 941 fps SD 22

Federal 125 LHP-Nyclad
S&W 2" Model 60 772 fps SD 28

Federal 158 SWC
S&W 2" Model 60 747 fps SD 18

FYI.

 

[Erich]

Nice to see - thanks!

 

[JRWnTN]

Thanks Model 15-4ever. Years ago, I was given some of this ammo by an officer after his department switched to 9mm. He told me it was very hot and to only shoot it in a .357. I tried some in a Magnum revover and was very underwhelmed.

Even from an Airweight J-frame the recoil wasn't excessive, about the same as +P's. Until the supply ran out, I carried 158 LHP +P in my J-frame and the +P+ in a speedloader.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

You're right, it is underwhelming if you are used to full-bore .357 ammo. But I have to say I would rather use the .38 Special 158 LHP +P or those two 147 grain +P+ rounds in a J-Frame or Sp-101 .357 gun. While the gun will not blow up, it will get beat up, along with your hands. Muzzle blast, recoil and recovery time are also too negative in the small guns with .357 ammo for defensive purposes, IMHO.

Even in the K-frame and Ruger -Six series guns, I prefer the .38 +P and +P+ loads. The 2.5" K frames and all of those Rugers have short ejector rods so the .38 case works better. The 4" K-frames are on the edge of having too much recoil for repeat fire.

I do like the .357 loads in the L and N frame guns, and the Ruger GP series. Used to carry the Winchester 145 grain Silvertips and 158 grain JSP loads.