LSWCHP out of Snub Nose?

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KarateHottie93

KarateHottie93

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Okay, honestly I've seen every test on the internet about this and they just don't seem to expand reliably out of the 2in barrel. That doesn't stop me from wanting to carry them in my new Colt Cobra. Plus I read that many years ago, at least the Remington ones were softer and expanded with much less velocity.

Besides Buffalo Bore, are there any other options that any of you would consider looking into? I'll gladly carry the Buffalo Bore if it's for sure the only viable option. Just not sure I want that hot of a round.
 
To quote from a basically identical thread.

FL-NC said:
As I have said before, I think this subject is very "overthought". I select whatever HP ammunition from a major American manufacturer (Federal, Remington, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc.) that I can find a "deal" on- THAT WORKS RELIABLY IN MY PISTOL- and I load it and move to the next problem. The next priority (for me) is training, which means firing lots of "cheap" practice ammo in drills under realistic scenarios with a pro-timer to help insure I can hit a target at all. In my experience, shot placement is king.
Click to expand...


Just another one of those things that’s over thought.
 
Buffalo Bore LSWCHP +P in the SP101 is great due to the weight of the all steel firearm.

Their standard pressure LSWCHP as well as their full wadcutter (150 grains) have less perceived recoil to me than than say the + P short barrel gold dot in lighter platforms (442, as an example) and they are standard pressure.

If I had your firearm I'd probably load it with the 150 grain full wadcutter which comes in at advertised velocity in the snubs (850 ft/s), and no expansion is needed with the wide, flat, full-caliber meplat.

This would be superior to a LSWCHP that did not expand.
 
Tony_the_tiger said:
Buffalo Bore LSWCHP +P in the SP101 is great due to the weight of the all steel firearm.

Their standard pressure LSWCHP as well as their full wadcutter (150 grains) have less perceived recoil to me than than say the + P short barrel gold dot in lighter platforms (442, as an example) and they are standard pressure.

If I had your firearm I'd probably load it with the 150 grain full wadcutter which comes in at advertised velocity in the snubs (850 ft/s), and no expansion is needed with the wide, flat, full-caliber meplat.

This would be superior to a LSWCHP that did not expand.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone, and thank you sir. I will try the full wadcutters. I wanted to use full wadcutters initially but nobody makes a + P. Until I read your post though, I had no idea that Buffalo Bore made even a standard pressure full wadcutter. I will order a few boxes if I can find any and see what kind of power they got. Being that they're Buffalo Bore, my hopes are pretty high with their "standard pressure".
 
I did not find Buffalo Bore’s version of this 158-grain LSWCHP load to be notably harder to handle than Federal’s version. More alike than different. Both are stout, but not painful. Of course, this is an individual thing, and, I should add the disclaimer that this was some number of years ago, when I was carrying Winchester Silvertip .357 in my SP101 revolvers, and Federal Nyclad 125-grain standard-pressure in my Airweight J-Snub. (The latter was a notably stout load, being at the high end of standard-pressure velocity.)

Notably, I hold a J-snub, or any DA revolver, quite high, on the grip, which keep a J-snub or SP101 bore axis quite low in my hand. I have noticed that many hold their small revolvers lower on the grip, for whatever reasons.
 
KarateHottie93 said:
Okay, honestly I've seen every test on the internet about this and they just don't seem to expand reliably out of the 2in barrel. That doesn't stop me from wanting to carry them in my new Colt Cobra. Plus I read that many years ago, at least the Remington ones were softer and expanded with much less velocity.

Besides Buffalo Bore, are there any other options that any of you would consider looking into? I'll gladly carry the Buffalo Bore if it's for sure the only viable option. Just not sure I want that hot of a round.
Click to expand...
https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...hollow-point-gas-check?variant=18785707524153
 
One thing on my mind about carrying these super soft lead bullets on a daily basis as they are in the charge holes-ok. But the backup ammo needs to be FMJ so the tips don’t get deformed. Speedloaders and strips go from my countertop to my pockets then the top of my toolbox at work then back in the pockets back to the counter then to the bedside. Lots of handling them. The softies are safe in tubes 1-6 and hopefully the capt doesn’t have to authenticate the launch codes!!!
 
shoebox1.1 said:
One thing on my mind about carrying these super soft lead bullets on a daily basis as they are in the charge holes-ok. But the backup ammo needs to be FMJ so the tips don’t get deformed. Speedloaders and strips go from my countertop to my pockets then the top of my toolbox at work then back in the pockets back to the counter then to the bedside. Lots of handling them. The softies are safe in tubes 1-6 and hopefully the capt doesn’t have to authenticate the launch codes!!!
Click to expand...

Hornady makes a standard-pressure JHP with a rounded polymer tip that slides nice-and-slick into the chambers. That is the .38 I have recently been keeping in my slow strips, which might be used to charge-up my Airlites.
 
shoebox1.1 said:
One thing on my mind about carrying these super soft lead bullets on a daily basis as they are in the charge holes-ok. But the backup ammo needs to be FMJ so the tips don’t get deformed. Speedloaders and strips go from my countertop to my pockets then the top of my toolbox at work then back in the pockets back to the counter then to the bedside. Lots of handling them. The softies are safe in tubes 1-6 and hopefully the capt doesn’t have to authenticate the launch codes!!!
Click to expand...

I agree and prefer to keep free floating lead out of my pockets for more than one reason.

For speedstrips I go for the Barnes all copper bullets. Only issue is these tend to be long for their weight. Rexster is on point with the polymer tipped hornady rounds. Perfect for additional reloads.
 
The critical defense .38 +P load gel test I was a part of showed very consistent results for expansion and 12-14” penetration through denim cloth. The shape also allows for an easier reload than a full WC or a sharp-shouldered SWC profile.

If you’re backing up the HST or another stout load with the critical defense you’ll be well armed.
Stay safe.
 
If you want to shoot lead HP out of your Cobra, find some swaged lead. Supposed to expand reliably due to the soft lead. I load my own, using Speer bullets. (Hornady makes them, too). I can't testify to the expansion, as I haven't shot anyone with them, yet. :evil:
 
Wow, a lot here to read since last time lol. Thanks again for all the good advice.

I went ahead and ordered Buffalo Bore +P LSWCHP, Buffalo Bore standard pressure full wadcutters, Federal HST, and...

I found a box of these beautiful ballistic tipped things in my local gun store today. Also, I know this sounds insane but I wanna try some Glaser Safety Slugs.

20200612_174122.jpg 20200612_174212.jpg
 
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Anyone recall the “MagSafe” rounds? I always wondered about their effectiveness. Basically a shot shell with mixed pellets inside a hollow point. As I recall the idea was to hit your target and the payload would then disperse. I have no personal experience whatsoever, but the concept sure was novel. I wonder what happened to them.

I have found the standard pressure Hornady with the polymer ball to be accurate, consistent and easy to locate. I think they are 110 or so grains. Easy for the wife to shoot, even in Airweights. Sadly, I’ve never found or even seen the hallowed Speer 135 GoldDots in the wild. I’d sure like to get a supply.
 
Magsafe and Glazer slugs can be fun but I wouldn't count on them for self defense. The penetration is way too low so even if you hit on target and get a best case scenario shot the round is not up to standard. There are folks out there who have stopped whatever was bothering them with one, but the FBI minimum of 12" is a good starting point for performance in a self-defense situation and they usually end up about half that or less.

But in terms of having fun at the range I'd use them and they make compelling snake shot.
 
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stonebuster said:
Look at Luckygunner ballistic test for 38/357. Best expansion for 38 was Federal HST micro 38+P. Out of 2" barrel . 73" with average 13" penetration.
Click to expand...

They are extremely had to find. If you locate any please let me know where. Thanks.
 
Okay guys, I greatly appreciate all the responses. Now how does everyone feel about the DRT handgun ammo?
 
I carry the 158 grn lswhp in my 2 inch 101 every day.It's the old FBI load. It worked for them ,and I am confident it will work for me .
 
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