good defensive ammo for the mod 10?

[kevin61]

I just picked up a 1973 model 10-6. It will be mainly a night stand gun. I know every gun is different, but is any particular round shown to be pretty good (for home defense) for this particular model and vintage. I would like a recomendation for both +p and standard pressure rounds. Thanks in advance.
Kevin

 

[Steve in Vermont]

For standard pressure, look to the Hornady FTX 110 gr or Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP. For +P consider something like the Winchester PDX1 130 gr JHP. I have several boxes of all 3 of these and find them very accurate in my pre 1970 model 10.

 

[kevin61]

For standard pressure, look to the Hornady FTX 110 gr or Federal Nyclad 125 gr HP. For +P consider something like the Winchester PDX1 130 gr JHP. I have several boxes of all 3 of these and find them very accurate in my pre 1970 model 10.

From my own research the 125 gr Nyclad seemed to be a good choice. I am glad you re-affirmed that. I will take a look at the Hornady ftx and the win pdx as well. Thanks for your imput.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 grain GCLSWCHP. It's a soft lead bullet with a gas check so it won't lead the barrel and should get between 950 and 1000 fps. It should also shoot close to point of aim.

ECS

 

[papajohn428]

If you're looking for a light-recoiling load I like the Hornady Critical Defense 110-grain FTX, it really does expand just like the advertising copy shows. For a heavy-bullet loads that will probably shoot to the sights, the tried-and-proven 158-grain lead hollow point still does the job!

 

[ContinentalOp]

My first choice for a steel K-frame is Buffalo Bore's standard pressure 158gr LSWCHP (the +P version is also good, but the standard pressure version gives me faster follow-up shots...YMMV). In general, FBI loads have a good reputation in actual shootings.

A close second choice would be Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P (yes, it was designed for use in short-barrel revolvers, but I've read it also works well out of full-size guns). It also has a good reputation in actual shootings.

For home defense, though, I might lean more towards the Speer load as it's been shown to be effective but with less likelihood for overpenetration issues than FBI loads. Depending on the construction of your home, you may want to consider the Federal 125gr Nyclad as it also has a good track record in actual shootings but is probably the least likely to overpenetrate.

I don't think you'll find a round that has a good track record in actual shootings that will never have a risk of overpenetration, but it shouldn't be too difficult to find a balance that you're comfortable with.

The most important things to consider, of course, is how well the ammo functions in your gun and how well you can shoot it.

 

[Goldstar225]

Winchester or Remington 158 grain LSWCHP or the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain gold dot. If you ever decide you need more you could give the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP a try at a claimed 1100 FPS.

BTW your model 10 is an excellent choice IMHO.

 

[blujax01]

Whichever you choose, remember to practice with the same ammo. A lot of folks will shoot tons of 158 grain Winchester White Box then put in a lighter, hotter round for SD.

 

[crofoot629]

"you could give the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP a try at a claimed 1100 FPS."

I'm kind of old school/new school. I just bought a friend some of these (Buffalo Bore) as an all purpose load, still believing penetration is key. If I didn't have Winchester LSWCHP+P's this is what I'd buy.

She is a horse packer though, and might need to put down a horse. Or she could come up against a bear or lion.

I have two mechanically excellent, cosmetically challenged, 4" pre 10's for my girls.
I also have Glock's and AR's for them. I however believe in not putting all my eggs in the same basket theory. Some day hi-cap guns may be hard to own.

I think it is an excellent all purpose load and terminally the most you are going to get out of a 38 Special. I prefer one all purpose load when possible. The 110's for the house and the 158's for the woods is just more than I'm willing to try and work out. I already have too many guns and calibers to play that game. jmho

I love pencil barrel 4" early M&P's, or Model 10's.

Emory

 

[Delta-3]

In my 3" model 10 HB, I use 125g SJHP loaded to +p ( right around 1K fps). It shoots POA at 25 yds & groups nicely.

 

[Lee D]

i have a pencil barreled 10-5 with CTG (although its been claimed by my soon to be 16 yr old daughter) and we've shot primarily SilverTips thru it since i got it in '98/'99 and that mod10 loves that ammo. when i shoot it with factory sights, it will shoot clover groups at 15yds.

 

[kevin61]

I got a box of Hornady ftx 110 90310 and have a box of Remington ultimate home defense 38 +p 125 grain jhp. Now I will try and get a box of Nyclad's and some Buffalo Bore. Havent heard much about the above listed Remington's. Anybody ever used them?

 

[chp]

I'm fond of Corbon DPX +p 110 grain.

 

[squidsix]

I recently discovered Aguila 158 grain JHPs. These are standard pressure, but are getting 940 FPS out of a 4" model 19, and still 840 out of the 3" model 36. Cheapest defensive ammo I found.

 

[papajohn428]

I recently discovered Aguila 158 grain JHPs. These are standard pressure, but are getting 940 FPS out of a 4" model 19, and still 840 out of the 3" model 36. Cheapest defensive ammo I found.

Squidsix, PLEASE tell me it's not this stuff. I bought a box and tested it in wetpack and water jugs, and got exactly ZERO expansion, even out of a rifle barrel! Horrible stuff............the cores are so hard the noses didn't even rivet in the wetpack. Buy something else.......anything. In 30 years of bullet testing, I've NEVER seen a load this bad.

Do it For The Children!

 

[squidsix]

Yeah. That's the stuff. I had no idea it was like that!!!
I didn't test it in any target media, just the chrono. WOW.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Dang!!! The lead was hardly altered in those!!!

 

[papajohn428]

I still have literally dozens of other bullets to test, but right now the best ammo I've found is the 158-LHP from various makers, and for the recoil sensitive the 110 grain Hornady Critical Defense load. Those CD loads are looking pretty good in ALL calibers thus far!

 

[stantheman86]

Federal 158 gr. .38 +P Hollow Point Semi-Wadcutter all the way

 

[badge]

Remington Golden Sabre's out of the 4" are very good. These are a Plus P loading. I do not carry non Plus P's but Buffalo Bore does make excellent rounds in this type.