Confused About Bullet Weight (Grains)

[fpuhan]

Until recently I have shot 9mm almost exclusively. Thus, I was surprised to learn from others that my Sig P938 performs better using 124gr rounds than 115gr. I thought the lighter round caused less stress on the gun.

So, now I'm the proud owner of a .38SPL wheelgun, and my first foray to the range was shooting a box of Magtech FMJ 158gr through it. The 360 is +P rated, so I'm confident the gun can withstand some pretty beastly rounds, but I want to get familiar with the gun by shooting targets, and I'd like to know from others if they have a preferred round, or one that they've found shoots well in a 1.875" snubbie.

I have on order some low-recoil 110gr Federal HydraShok JHP which I plan to use as my SD carry ammo. The 110gr is certainly less than the 158gr target ammo, so what gives?

 

[gman51]

I have also heard some say the 124gr shoots better than the 115gr.
I also read where many of the so called low recoil ammo actually had more recoil than the standard rounds. Let us know how your low recoil rounds perform compared to stock bang ammo.

 

[murphydog]

There is no way to predict which bullet weight/style or powder charge will work best in any particular gun. Many try several different loads or load their own for the right combination of accuracy, recoil and cost.

 

[colt_saa]

What performs best and what causes less stress are often different loads.

Also projectile weight has no direct bearing on the stress caused. Lighter projectiles are loaded to higher velocities so the projectile energies are similar.

The 360 is a very fine revolver, the Scandium frame will hold up to any load that you wish to shoot.

However, it's light weight usually makes it a bad choice for a first firearm.

All else being equal, a lighter firearm will recoil more than a heavier one. This extra recoil often turns off novice shooters.

If you can find it, grab some of the 148 grain Target ammunition. Not counting Cowboy loads, that will be the most pleasant shooting ammunition to use in a lighteight Scandium revolver. It should also be the most accurate.

Stay away from full power 38s or +P loadings until you are comfortable with the revolver.

 

[L-2]

I'm usually carrying Winchester Ranger 130gr .38+P ammo in my 642.
http://winchesterle.com/Products/handgun-ammunition/ranger/bonded/Pages/RA38B.aspx
That ammo also shoots even more comfortably in my heavier 640 Pro.

I've found 158gr Armscor fmj ammo more stoutly recoiling and don't like it for practice in the 642. For higher round count practice, I'm more comfortable with the 130gr standard velocity-rated .38 Special in the light weight 642. I think you'll get similar findings with the 360 which is slightly lighter in weight.

The last 1K rounds was 130gr fmj PPU ammo, which was comfortable. I've recently bought other various other ammo varieties to try but can't yet comment on how they feel as I don't plan to shoot them until later this week.

 

[gwpercle]

Some people say a lot of things, but that don't make it so.
There is no telling what will shoot well in your gun. Try to get a few different loadings and experiment, find something both you and your gun like.
Bullet weight (talking handguns here) has nothing to do with accuracy. Basically lighter bullets are driven to a higher velocity, if a hollow point design , the higher velocity may get bullet expansion. Heavier bullets , go slower but have greater penetration. 115 grain 9 mm Luger ammo is just fine,try both 115 and 124 and see which you and your gun prefer.
In 38 Special the classic weight is 158 grains for standard use , old school ammo. The 148 grain full wadcutter target load is the classic NRA Bullseye Match ammo. generally a 38 will shoot it quite well. ( I have this in my J-frame right now, I can shoot this load accurately and quickly.)
Again , gather up some different ammo and see which you and your gun prefer . Them other people don't know you or your gun.
And you will find two trains of thought. The high velocity light bullet bunch versus the low velocity heavy bullet crowd...Who's right, who's wrong...maybe there's some truth in each!
Gary

 

[ContinentalOp]

As a general rule, I prefer medium-to-heavy weight bullets for self-defense loads. In .38 Special, I'd consider 125gr and heavier to fall in this range.

My first choice for a SD load is Speer 135gr Short-Barrel Gold Dot +P, but it can be hard to get at times, especially in the more economical 50-round box.

My second choice is Buffalo Bore's version of the FBI load, 158gr LSWCHP stanard pressure.

I also have some Federal 125gr Nyclads handy.

However, the most important thing, aside from reliability, is how well you can shoot it in your gun. As others have said, different guns will shoot some rounds better than others, even if the guns are the exact same make and model. If the low-recoil Hydrashocks end up performing better for you than Gold Dots, for example, then go with the Hydrashocks.

As for target loads, I do most of my practice with ~130gr FMJ loads. Right now I'm still working my way through some PMC 132gr FMJ I have. I also like Speer 158gr TMJ +P, which has felt recoil similar to the Gold Dots I like, at least for me.

One thing to keep in mind is that bullet pull can be a problem in scandium-frame guns. I believe it's limited mostly to heavy-recoiling lead bullets. I'm not sure if it's an issue with .38 Special, but it seems to mostly be an issue with magnum calibers. Under recoil, it's possible for bullets in the other chambers of the gun to pull forward slightly, in some cases far enough that it protudes into the cylinder gap and ties up the gun. It's something to look for as you evaluate different loads.

 

[RichCapeCod]

fphun, keep in mind that there are 437 1/2 grains in an avoirdupois ounce. So we're talking about very little difference between the assorted projectile weights being discussed here.

Recoil is a complex subject involving the weight of all the material exiting the bore at the time of firing (bullet weight, burned and unburned propellant). All things being equal, the less weight exiting the bore, the less recoil.

Higher intensity (higher velocity generally) loads tend to recoil more than standard velocity loads.

I was once told by a Remington engineer (as I was being given a tour of their facility in Connecticut many years ago) that the time pressure curve of .38 Special loads was less abrupt with bullet weights of over 140 grains. For what that's worth to you.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with the 135 grain Speer Gold Dot for your little snubby as a service round.

Rich