Small Groups With S&W Stubbies?

[NiklasP]

one eye joe,

IF I were getting a 357 Mag, I would want adjustable rear sight, and I have that on all my 357s. There is such a wide range of loads that can be used in 357 Mag, from 148 grain HBWC at 800 fps to 180 grain bullets at 1200 fps, that adjustable sights are essential. I avoid ligher bullets, BTW.

However, I don't expect to be developing more than two loads for this J-frame stubbie I am thinking about, it will be rated for 38 Spl +P. It might be only one load. IF two, one will likely be the tightest grouping HBWC load I can develop, say at 800 fps, while the other could easily be a 158 grain SWC at 1000 fps. Could easily be that a 30 yard zero with the HBWC will be easily achieved and would result in the 158 grainers hitting a bit higher, which could be perfect (so long as windage is same. Actually, I might even end up with a single load, for example, a Hornady 148 grain HBWC at 900-950 fps (apparently, these HBWC are made of hard enough lead alloy that they keep their skirts on at these higher velocities). The 158 grain SWC at 900+fps could easily give suitably small, zeroed groups (these bullets would be Remington's swaged bullets, which have always given me nice groups). Of course, I am presuming that S&W will have made the M638 so that 158 grainers at 800 fps will be zeroed at about 25 yards.

FYI, I don't mind doing a small amount of filing on front sights, if that is the remaining factor.

In recent decades I have owned 3 revolvers with fixed sights, all very well made and all well regulated at factory for standard weight bullets at standard velocities. All gave "minute of grouse head" groups and POIs at about 10 paces and groups good enough for body shots on grouse at 50 yards. Hopefully, I end up with a S&W stubbie that will perform as well.

Niklas

 

[Jitterbug]

I really didn't think the Snubbie was capable of much accuracy...at least in my hands.

Recently I was at the range zeroing for a CT Laser with the 442, the range is 12.5 yards.

5 Shot groups

Speer 135 grain Gold Dot +P == 1.9"
Colorado Cast 158 gr. SWC ===1.7"

Impressed me....

 

[NiklasP]

Jitterbug,

That 442 is DAO, whereas the 438/638 that I am considering are SA and DA revolvers. It is group size when shooting SA that is of interest to me in this thread. Your groups shooting a stubbie DA are quite nice.

I must admit that until recently I had forgotten that some of S&W's stubbies with shrouded hammers actually have a little "hammer spur" that sticks up above the shroud, allowing SA shooting. It is this combination of shrouded hammer, SA capability, lighter weight (than M60) and 2,5 inch barrel available on 638s that make me think one of these little pocket/belly guns could be nice to have for those situations where I do not want to or cannot suitably carry my M60. M638s on GunBroker list at about $200 less than M60s.

MOONDAWG,

I am a well aged shooter, not nearly so well seasoned as Munden. I do try to compensate for my lesser ability by always trying to shoot from some kind of rest, especially when hunting.

Niklas

 

[G.T. Smith]

my first 5 J frame shots

I have become quite a bit better with this little 37 since that day. I bought the gun (my first ever j frame), tore it down and cleaned it then took it out to shoot. Magtech 158 grain LRN standard pressure .38's.
The shot in the middle was single action and the other 4 that are all around were fired DA too fast to really maintain a good sight picture. This was at 30'. I was surprised that I did that good. 5 boxes or so later, at 30 feet I can get a 4" or so group, but not with that wild high speed DA
How do you like my high tech target?
I do my deer hunting with a 4" 65 but I always have that little 38 around for good luck.
Happy hunting,
Gordon

 

[BubbaBlades]

This is two rounds from my CT equipped 442 shot at a 15 yard target. I carried this gun until I replaced it with a CT equipped S&W M638. I like the ability to shoot single action or double action and I still carry my S&W M649 when only a magnum will do.
Mark