Best .38spl. non+P SD Ammo

E

ENGINE18

US Veteran
Joined
Dec 26, 2009
Messages
1,220
Reaction score
23
Location
Arizona
Other than Nyclads which are a bit spendy and hard to find, what are your favorite non+P .38spl. loads for Airweight J-frames?

I have a bunch of various +P ammo, including Federal, Remington and Buffalo Bore in 158 LSWCHP, which are all good, but produce moderate recoil.

The only non+P loads I have are 148WC, 158LRN and BB Low Flash 158 LHPWC. I'm looking for something with a bit less "kick" than the Buffalo Bore, but better than the above mentioned stuff.
 
Register to hide this ad
Hornady has a 110gr Critical Defense round in both +P and standard pressure loads. I haven't shot them but all the write-ups claim they work well and are accurate.

Along with the Nyclad ammo Federal also produces a standard pressure 110gr Hydra-Shok round meant doe SD. The Hydra-Shok bullet is getting older now but it still works well. The design lends itself to reliable expansion at lower velocities.

Hope this helps...
 
Speer also loads a 125 gr. Gold Dot JHP in non+P. Larger law enforcement dealers will have it. I got some from Lawmen Supply in Egg Harbor, NJ. They are a Speer dealer.
 
Have you tried the Buffalo Boar full wadcutter non+p also Magtec and Remmington's non+P 158 SWC loading that is good.

Try Ammunition to Go.com they have a lot to choose from.
 
I have done a lot of testing with the Hornady....Plus P as well as the non+P......and they both work well....the wet phone book test and the water jug test at 21 feet show good expansion. Try some out....
 
I use Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP Std. Pressue as my carry load. It still packs a wallop but has less kick than their +p for us recoil sesitive folks.
 
I just use +P ammunition, all carry guns are expendable. If you want something locally to be had, scout out your area. The best that you may find are wadcutters or semi wadcutters.
 
The old 110 standard velocity Silvertip always seemed to expand pretty well in the old aluminum jacketed loads, but I don't know how the current ones do. I always found that they Nyclad SV load expanded pretty well in my informal tests.

I have seem several tests where the Personal Defense Hyrda Shok didn't expand. I have a bunch of the 125 SV Gold Dot LEO and they are pretty mild, but seem to expand ok as long as they don't have to go through too much fabric first.

If you are worried about too much penetration I would go with the Nyclads, if worried about not enough then any good commercial WC or SWC load, if you can't afford or don't like those then look at the 125 SV Gold Dot (you should be able to find them cheaper than the Nyclads).
 
Remington Golden Saber 125 grain. It comes in non +P and +P. Both are great.
 
Speer 135gr. +P Gold Dot Short Barrel loads have non-+P recoil. I don't put "standard pressure" ammo in carry .38s. My lightweight .38s carry either the above-referenced Speer load, Safe Stop +P 148s, FBI loads or 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX. The DPX load is also quite light in recoil, less than standard pressure 158s.
 
What I do is test ever load I can find. The best out of about 10 different loading in my 37 are the Federal 125 Nyclads. They shoot to point of aim in nice tight groups. I tried 110's 125's 158's they are ok, but not a accurate as those nyclads, so that's what I use. I want my rounds to hit where I point my gun no matter what it is. I lucked out it happend to be a hp Nyclad. If my gun shot round nose lead where I pointed it, then that's what I would use. As for shooting one round and carrying +p's without trying them in your gun, is foolish. Carry what your gun shoots best. Stop worrying about hp's in a snub, most have little chance of opening anyway. Some will, most won't.
 
ENGINE18 said:
Other than Nyclads which are a bit spendy and hard to find, what are your favorite non+P .38spl. loads for Airweight J-frames?

I have a bunch of various +P ammo, including Federal, Remington and Buffalo Bore in 158 LSWCHP, which are all good, but produce moderate recoil.

The only non+P loads I have are 148WC, 158LRN and BB Low Flash 158 LHPWC. I'm looking for something with a bit less "kick" than the Buffalo Bore, but better than the above mentioned stuff.
Click to expand...
I use the Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure 158gr LSWCHPGC load. It's specifically designed for aluminum J Frame guns.
 
Rob1109 said:
The Std. BB is not gas-checked, just the +P.. I carry the std. since I tried the +P in my 642 and LCR...still remember the pain!
Click to expand...
I beg to differ this is from the BB website.................

Item 20C utilizes the same 158gr. very soft lead cast, SWC-HC gas checked bullet, we load in our +P 38 SPL ammo. It is designed to expand and then penetrate quite deep. (Approx. 14 inches in human tissue) This bullet is gas checked and will NOT lead your barrel. Note the below velocities that I recorded out of my personal revolvers- NOT TEST BARRELS!

See Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
 
badge 851 said:
I beg to differ this is from the BB website.................

Item 20C utilizes the same 158gr. very soft lead cast, SWC-HC gas checked bullet, we load in our +P 38 SPL ammo. It is designed to expand and then penetrate quite deep. (Approx. 14 inches in human tissue) This bullet is gas checked and will NOT lead your barrel. Note the below velocities that I recorded out of my personal revolvers- NOT TEST BARRELS!

See Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
Click to expand...

Yes, they are saying their +P IS gas checked! as I said!
 
Well, pretty much what I thought. I have fired almost all of these mentioned except the Nyclads. Looks like we all like a lot of the same stuff.
 
I dont understand using a hollow point in a non plus P. Velocity is going to be about 750fps and the bullet will not expand at that rate. Compare a 125gr at 750 vs a 90gr @1000 in the .380 and tell me there's a big difference.
No, I would opt for a 200gr LRN at about 650. Should go in and keyhole.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

38SPL HV
New Winchester 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP X38SPD
Replies
15
Views
2K
38SPL HV
38SPL HV
A
Remington vs Hydra Shok SD ammo for M&P .40?
Replies
8
Views
1K
chief38
chief38
S
Please educate me on .38 snub ammo
Replies
11
Views
2K
Cal44
C
R
My better than new S&W 642
Replies
14
Views
2K
FlaRon
F
AR_Black
BUFFALO BORE Chronograph Results - J-Frame
Replies
17
Views
5K
AR_Black
AR_Black

Latest posts

Back
Top