What SD rnds in your .38 spl snub-nosed revolver?

Since the Nyclads are no longer available as loaded rounds, and my supply of Nyclad bullets for reloading is dwindling, as so many here have done, I have gone to the Speer GD 135 grain JHP +P in my Model 60, SP-101s and Taurus 650 and 651. The SP-101s are my only snub revolvers that I can 'comfortably' shoot .357 for more than a cylinder full.

Speer gold dots in the short barrel loading. I don't carry my j frame much anymore since i bought a keltec P3AT that has been 100% reliable with golden sabers.

I have switched ALL of my 38 special revolvers over to the Speer GDHP 135gr +p. I like it in my j-frames as well as my k-frames.

Does anyone still load the old 200 gr. Super Police .38 Special?

Geoff
Who figures if you don't like hollowpoints, go for weight.

other

Black Hills 148 gr target wadcutter. No, i am not kidding.
C-

158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P What ever brand I can find, This load is street proved over many years Un like the new Speer It has no record to stand on. Think I like a heavy proven bullet.
Also in some testing I say the SWCLHP mor than held its own against the Speer and Corbon loads

Federal Hydra-Shok 129 grain, JHP +P for my wife's 642.

125gr Federal Nyclads standard or +P
158gr Speer LSWCHP's on top of 4.5grs of W231.
125gr Rem Golden Sabers on top of 6.0grs Unique.

Speer GDHP 135gr +p

I used to have real trouble deciding what to use and for a while was trying to use the 158gr lswchp +p rounds but they were a real handful out of an airweight for me. Plus after some research I found out they don't have a great track record of expanding after clothing out of 2" barrels, although 4+" is another story. Since then I've taken the advice of Dr. Gary Roberts and went with Winchester's X38SMRP, the 148gr super-x wadcutter in the cylinder and a speed loader of speer 135 gr's in the pocket. They're not amazing rounds but the wadcutter profile gives me a good crush cavity thats the width of the bullet and they're much easier shooting than the fbi load. I can notice a difference in how fast I'm ready to follow up. The speer loads are ready to hit the clylinder if a reload is needed. I think its a pretty good compromise even if it did mean acknowledging I'm not the best snub shooter in the world.

Other: 125 GR JSP (flat nose) Winchester WinClean .38 Special (minus P).

I carry what that with which I practice.

Hell, I'll cast my vote. Bought my first .38 snubby, a Taurus 85, in stainless today. Next stop was Bass Pro Shops for a box of Remington Golden Sabre +P 125gr. Ask me why? I don't know. I carry hollowpoints in everything, even though I realize that in .38 Special it probably makes more sense for a heavier, solid bullet design.

I voted Speer GDHP 135gr +p. I am using that in both my 642 and my 3" model 10 bedside gun. Prior to that I really liked the winchester 130gr as it has a really large cavity in the hollow point.

That said, Im really interested by those two new standard pressure Buffalo Bore loads if the recoil is less than the gold dots.

Im hoping someone will get some and post a range report . If it doesnt happen soon I might just break down and order them myself to try it out.

Although I have a .357 J-frame (M&P 340), I will still be carrying it with the 135 grain Speer Gold Dots in .38 +P.

I reload my own 158 gr LSWC in Win or Fed brass with 4 gr of 231 touched off with Federal primers. It gets the job done and is fairly accurate while allowing quick follow-up shots

I switched to Gold Dots and put the Nyclads back in their box as a future collectible.

Call me old school 158 grain Plus P SWC HP here.

What is gas checked? I think I have seen this explained, gases going around the bullet before it enters the barrel? But I am not sure please explain. Thanks

Gas checked is to put a copper cup on the base of the bullet, it prevents the hot powder gases from melting the base of the bullet.

I use Speer GDHP 135gr. +p; when you care enough to send the very best...

NYCLAD 158 SWCHP +P. Old school. Street proven

158 grain Lead Semi Wadcutter, remanufactured and new.
Not hollow point

XY17