Federal Nyclad 158 gr .38 +P vs Speer 135 gr Gold Dot Short Barrel

[cdr]

I have been able to obtain quite a few boxes of the discontinued Federal Nyclad 158 gr. .38+P SWC HP load and was wondering if I should change over to this as my carry round in my 642-1 and Model 60. I've been carrying the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +P JHP Short Barrel load for years but I'm thinking I would be better served with the former.

Any thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[flop-shank]

I doubt nyclad offers any advantage unless it is more accurate (of course being cheap and available are advantages also). My guess is that Speer SB probably expands just as well, if not better. You could try taking milk jugs and putting four very heavy pieces of denim over the first one then shoot them. Do that with each load. See if one expands and the other doesn't.Layers of denim can be added or subtacted to establish which load is the better expander. As far as depth of penetration goes, I'm sure both loads will work fine.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

As far as depth of penetration goes, I'm sure both loads will work fine.

Could be. If you actually test w/gelatin and denim-covered gelatin, or find some actual test results that you trust, then you will know. Until then, I will put my money on the 158gr load. In addition, it fires to POA on a lot of my fixed-sight revolvers.

 

[photoman]

The Gold Dot bullet is more likely to perform as designed after penetrating barriers like glass or a car door.

On a direct shot, through light clothing, I would be comfortable with either one.

 

[38-44HD45]

I have carried and still carry both, but I prefer the Speer load. It recoils less, shoots closer to POA in most of my snubs, and I think it is more likely to expand.

 

[flop-shank]

Could be. If you actually test w/gelatin and denim-covered gelatin, or find some actual test results that you trust, then you will know.

I definately have access to test results I trust. Mine. See the Perma-Gel Test Results thread in the ammo forum. My test of Speer SB .38+P from a 1 7/8" barrel is there. It penetrates fine. If Nyclad expands like the FBI load It should do fine (FBI load results can be found at www.brassfetcher.com . Just click on the "old Website" link then view .38 spl. test results) If Nyclad doesn't expand, shallow penetration obviously won't be an issue.

Until then, I will put my money on the 158gr load. In addition, it fires to POA on a lot of my fixed-sight revolvers.

Sound logic.

 

[cdr]

Thanks everyone for the responses. The Nyclads expand precisely like the FBI loads, i.e. perfect dime size slugs. Given this fact, and shooting to point of aim. I'm figuring the 158 grain bullet might make more sense than the 135 grain Gold Dot. I'm not sure how the design of the Gold Dot round, made especially for short barrel revolvers, plays into the equation, however. The Nyclad does expand beautifully.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I definately have access to test results I trust. Mine. See the Perma-Gel Test Results thread in the ammo forum. My test of Speer SB .38+P from a 1 7/8" barrel is there. It penetrates fine. If Nyclad expands like the FBI load It should do fine (FBI load results can be found at www.brassfetcher.com . Just click on the "old Website" link then view .38 spl. test results) If Nyclad doesn't expand, shallow penetration obviously won't be an issue.

Thanks for the info!

 

[BrokenArrows]

Found some test results for the 129 and 158 +P Nyclad through heavy cloth from the 2003 issue of Handguns. Fired from 2 inch bbl:

158 +P
bare gel 18.3/.39
cloth 19.6/.36

129 +P
bare 9/.71
cloth 9.5/.69

 

[cmort666]

I almost always prefer a heavier bullet, so long as performance is reasonable. I'd go with the Nyclads. I carry the Federal 158gr. LSWC-HP +P in all of my .38s and .357s.

 

[tazcollins]

Don't think so. the Gold Dot SB passes the seven FBI event tests. TC