Gold Dots or Nyclads?

[d625]

I just discovered about 60 rounds of 38spl Nyclad 158gr SWCHP ammo that I put back several years ago, and I understand that it is now hard to find/hard to afford. I think that years ago this load was considered to be the ultimate self defense load.

My house guns are 2 ½” and 3” revolvers which are loaded with 135gr +P Speer Gold Dots, and I understand that this load is currently recommended for short barrel revolvers.

I assume that both loads will shoot to the same point of impact at 10 yards or less, so I have no need to burn up my Nyclad inventory to prove that point in a practice session. My question for the forum ammo experts simply is which 38spl load is better in a home defense short barrel revolver?

 

[Bruce51]

Bullet technology has come a long way since Nyclads were first introduced. I still have a few of the originals and would use them for SD.
However Goldots seem to be the do all self defense ammo of the 21'st century.

Bruce

 

[Dragon88]

Do you have the Short Barrel gold dot load? Either way I would stick with the GDs.

 

[Centenniel]

I carried the Nyclad+P load for years. When the GD+P came out, I switched to it and have not looked back.

 

[anchors]

Gold Dot vs Nyclads

I just discovered about 60 rounds of 38spl Nyclad 158gr SWCHP ammo that I put back several years ago, and I understand that it is now hard to find/hard to afford. I think that years ago this load was considered to be the ultimate self defense load.

My house guns are 2 ½” and 3” revolvers which are loaded with 135gr +P Speer Gold Dots, and I understand that this load is currently recommended for short barrel revolvers.

I assume that both loads will shoot to the same point of impact at 10 yards or less, so I have no need to burn up my Nyclad inventory to prove that point in a practice session. My question for the forum ammo experts simply is which 38spl load is better in a home defense short barrel revolver?

I'm carrying 158gr Nyclads in my 2" mdl 10 right now,but just ordered 2 boxes of Speer GD SB HP's 135gr from Midway,I hope the 135's hit POA.

 

[flop-shank]

Which make of Nyclad?

My strong hunch is that the Short Barrel Gold Dot will be a more consistent expander from a snub Than Federal Nyclad. The S&W Nyclads weren't as good as the Federal IIRC. Harder lead, inferior design maybe? The lighter weight of the Gold Dot should likely get it going faster, and although it's jacketed, the lead inside the hollow cavity is prestressed to aid expansion.

 

[Hunt200]

The new Nyclads are 125 grain and shoot great from a snub nose.

 

[flop-shank]

The new Nyclads are 125 grain and shoot great from a snub nose.

.....and FWIW std. pressure.

I have tested the above mentioned load and Speer SB. The results are in the Perma-Gel Test Results thread.

 

[moxie]

Don't assume that those two loads shoot to the same point of aim, even at 10 yards or less. The bullets are different enough in weight to account for at least a small difference in verticality. I've no idea what the difference in velocity might be, but there's likely some vertical difference there too. Only one way to know for sure.