What are the differences between "economy" and "premium" cartridges?

[Airweight]

I've been practicing quite a bit with Winchester/USA ammo recently in my S&W 442. This is the 125 gr. 38 Special +P JHP stuff (USA38JHP).

I also tried today:

Winchester Supreme 38 Special +P SXT 130 gr. (S38SP)
Remington Golden Saber 38 Special +P BJHP 125 gr. (GS38SB)

Although I am able to fire all three relatively accurately, I am most accurate with the USA stuff. This probably has something to do with the fact that it is the cheapest, and I can afford to practice the most with it.

What are the disadvantages to relying on the USA stuff for defense?

Next time, I'm planning to try out some 158 gr. LSWCHPs, which is a little less costly than the "premium" stuff, but is still twice as expensive (at least in my neck of the woods) as the USA stuff.

Anybody use the cheap stuff outside of practicing?

 

[WESHOOT2]

NEVERMIND

Shoot the cheapest most accurate stuff.

Oh, you've already found it. Perfect.

 

[Jim March]

Ehhh...this is one time I may have to disagree with an expert .

Expansion tests for 38+P out of a snubbie has shown that most won't expand at the velocities you get out a 2" tube. The Winchester 130 +P Supreme is notably one that does, it's probably connected to the massive JHP cavity.

What's the accuracy difference? Because I *do* agree accuracy matters.

 

[BobK]

I would say, if you are the most accurate with the Win/usa
+P JHP's, that's your best bet. I saw the tests in Handguns
Magazine. It was almost the same as the more expensive stuff
by Winchester! Good accuracy, good expansion.
First, you have to hit your target before bullet expansion is
important. It does NO GOOD if you miss the intended target.
Bullet placement is the number one objective!
You can afford to practice with the Win/USA. That is very important! Practice with your carry load, to make sure you can
shoot it accurately in an emergency situation!
I don't have a problem with the Win/USA 125 +P JHP's in any
of my three revolvers. I use it for protection against both
two legged and four legged critters! Both 2' and 4" barrels. Bob

 

[Airweight]

Thanks for the replies!

What's the accuracy difference? Because I *do* agree accuracy matters.

Basically at a range of around 7 yards, my groups with the USA stuff stays within the 9-ring, while the SXTs stay within the 8-ring.

Actually, both are pretty darn similar. The Golden Sabers I tried felt very different, and I wasn't able to get them to group consistently--although I only tried a few cylinders-full.

I guess I'll keep trying different stuff and practicing with the ones that are more accurate for the gun. I have only had the 442 for a short while.

Recoil is MUCH more manageable than I thought it would be. I have Hogues on them so that is probably a contributing factor. I also have a 640-1, and I thought shooting 38s through the 442 would be similar to shooting 357s through the 640. Not even close. To me, it was similar to shooting my Sig 239. Mild.

 

[Hal]

Q:

What are the differences between "economy" and "premium" cartridges?

A:
sd
(standard deviation)