Federal .38+P 158g Nyclad

[sheepdawg]

My old Model 12 snubby is loaded up with the standard pressure 125 gr. Nyclad HPs. I've scrounged up about 100 rounds of it and it's very accurate. There was a website around that published one stop percentages of various rounds and the 125 gr. Nyclad HPs were #1 in standard pressure 38 special. The 158 gr. +Ps didn't fare as well but ranked respectable. In a snubby built to handle +P you just can't beat the 135 gr. Speer for short barrel JHP.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The heavy 38 special 158 bullet is a great bullet weigh for lots of penetration
year around, no matter the conditions.

Over the last three years I have been doing a lot of test and loading of the
125, 130 and 135 gr JHP bullets that are used in the snub nose 38 revolvers.

In all my test, for a load that shots for me at POA, penetrats enough, plus
has good bullet expansion and a recoil that can be handled for a second or third back up shot,
if needed, on target, with a light J frame.......

I have settled on the 135 Gold Dot if you can handle the recoil or......
use the 130gr Federal HST load, as my minimal SD ammo.

Of course if you own a "Heavy" K frame...........
any ammo will work.

 

[Green Frog]

I got my first box of "FBI ammo" in about 1979 from an FBI agent I met… a full box minus six rounds for him to get home on. I shot up most of that over the next decade, but have replenished as possible from whatever sources I could find (a few rounds at a time usually). I now have most of a box that is currently reserved for "special occasions" with my Model 60-4. I consider that just about the perfect combination for CCW.

Froggie

 

[stansdds]

My old Model 12 snubby is loaded up with the standard pressure 125 gr. Nyclad HPs. I've scrounged up about 100 rounds of it and it's very accurate. There was a website around that published one stop percentages of various rounds and the 125 gr. Nyclad HPs were #1 in standard pressure 38 special. The 158 gr. +Ps didn't fare as well but ranked respectable. In a snubby built to handle +P you just can't beat the 135 gr. Speer for short barrel JHP.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I agree 100%.

 

[BIGDOC]

I carry my .38 often and shoot it at the range to stay proficient, I carry Federals HST 130gr.

 

[kaaskop49]

And ALWAYS test your ammo by running it through your EDC. You'll prolly have to spring for a full box or 2, but it is necessary IMHO. I bought 14 boxes of Federal LHP +P ammo 10 years ago at a close out $. I found to my dismay that the bullets would pull out of the cases when fired in a lightweight snub. Good recipe for jamming a SD gun when things go south. No problem in a steel frame K.

Another time, I loaded the Heavy Duty I had been testing at the range with R-P 125gr JHP for the trip home, in addition to my regular EDC. At home, I found one round had the primer loaded sideways. Mrs. Kaaskop's little boy had not inspected the rounds before loading. Can't be too careful...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Retired W4]

I went through a lot of 125 gr Nyclad in my 649, 36, 66 in the 1990's (targets and carry in the J's). It was pretty accurate. I used the last of it 10 years or so ago. I have not seen it in the secondary market for a long time.

 

[ddixie884]

crimp those Federal SWCs

And ALWAYS test your ammo by running it through your EDC. You'll prolly have to spring for a full box or 2, but it is necessary IMHO. I bought 14 boxes of Federal LHP +P ammo 10 years ago at a close out $. I found to my dismay that the bullets would pull out of the cases when fired in a lightweight snub. Good recipe for jamming a SD gun when things go south. No problem in a steel frame K.

Another time, I loaded the Heavy Duty I had been testing at the range with R-P 125gr JHP for the trip home, in addition to my regular EDC. At home, I found one round had the primer loaded sideways. Mrs. Kaaskop's little boy had not inspected the rounds before loading. Can't be too careful...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I bought a coupla cases of that Federal SWC ammo after it was discussed on this board. I set up my crimp die with a medium stiff crimp and ran them all through it. Put them back in the original packing and added them to my stash. +P lhp for less than practice ammo and I got free shipping........

 

[crows]

My old Model 12 snubby is loaded up with the standard pressure 125 gr. Nyclad HPs. I've scrounged up about 100 rounds of it and it's very accurate. There was a website around that published one stop percentages of various rounds and the 125 gr. Nyclad HPs were #1 in standard pressure 38 special. The 158 gr. +Ps didn't fare as well but ranked respectable. In a snubby built to handle +P you just can't beat the 135 gr. Speer for short barrel JHP.

Me too. I have a couple of boxes still on hand for my Mod 12's, and my mid '60's production Colt Agent.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Me too. I have a couple of boxes still on hand for my Mod 12's, and my mid '60's production Colt Agent.

Me too..........

I like the 135 in my 38's and even go as far as to take the factory ammo
and weigh each one and set the heaviest ones as my SD ammo with the
lighter ones as my practice ammo..... being it less powder or bullet.

 

[Old cop]

In his book, The Snubbie Revolver, Ed Lovette praises the benefits of the J-frame snub in "ECQC" circumstances. He also makes the technical argument for the 158g +P lead hollow point as the most effective choice from a short barreled revolver.

I just came across some Federal Premium 158g +P Nyclad from a small shop in upstate NY. It hasn't been produced since 2015 from what I can tell so it's NOS. Bought 3 boxes.

Anyone have knowledge or experience with this load?

I used this round in my issued Model 15 to free a hostage from his knife wielding captor in the early '80s. It worked.