125gr vs 158gr 38SPL.

[Axis II]

I thought i asked this awhile back but the search function isn't showing anything so i apologize if i already have. I am getting ready to make a bullet purchase and torn between 125gr Extreme FN and 158gr Extreme FN bullets. I will be shooting them out of a s&w 642. J frame and just looking for something to punch paper with and some day get a big boy 38spl.

Whats your favorite weight for this caliber and type of revolver. I remember someone saying the sights and this gun are set up for the heavier rounds but cant find that either.

Thanks!

 

[Zendude]

What powder are you thinking of using?

 

[brewer12345]

I find the ,158s and wadcutters tend to be more accurate, but the lower recoil of the 125s sure is easier on the shooter out of a snub.

 

[Axis II]

I find the ,158s and wadcutters tend to be more accurate, but the lower recoil of the 125s sure is easier on the shooter out of a snub.

I read somewhere the heavier bullet had lower recoil that's why i was interested in it and also "the gun was setup for that weight". I don't try and play bullseye with the gun if i can put 5 in a man target im happy just looking for a little better accuracy and less recoil.

 

[Axis II]

What powder are you thinking of using?

I have HP=38 on hand but not apposed to trying something else. Im trying to keep 9mm and 38 powders compatible so i don't have a bunch of powder sitting around. Right now i shot 250 berrys 125gr FN just figured try something else if it will work.

 

[kidneyboy]

The most accurate loads I have made for 38sp are 148gr HBWC and 148gr WC in front of a little Bullseye. Pretty sure that was a LE round for a few decades.

 

[brewer12345]

I read somewhere the heavier bullet had lower recoil that's why i was interested in it and also "the gun was setup for that weight". I don't try and play bullseye with the gun if i can put 5 in a man target im happy just looking for a little better accuracy and less recoil.

In that case, get some wadcutters. Hollow based for very mild loads, dewc for mild to full charge.

 

[Walkalong]

the lower recoil of the 125s sure is easier on the shooter out of a snub.

Yep.

I tend to shoot plated 148s out of .38 Spl, but have shot a lot of 125s in the past.

 

[Walkalong]

Right now i shot 250 berrys 125gr FN just figured try something else if it will work.

They shoot just fine with W-231/HP-38, along with a few others. Solo 1000 is a favorite of mine with those.

 

[brewer12345]

Yep.

I tend to shoot plated 148s out of .38 Spl, but have shot a lot of 125s in the past.

The Berry's plated DEWC is a really nice choice. If I did not cast my own DEWCs, I would buy them.

I have a bunch of 133 grain RNFPs cast and ready to go that I have yet to get around to loading. Have been thinking about a Trail Boss load with those for a soft shooting snub load.

 

[1KPerDay]

I did an evaluation of recoil out of a snubby .38 special a while back and the 125s had dramatically lower recoil than any 158 load, even with trail boss. If recoil is your primary concern, 125s are your choice (or wadcutters).

If you are trying to find something that hits to point of aim, that's a different story. 158s hit closer to POA in my fixed sight S&W revolvers.

 

[Zendude]

I have HP=38 on hand but not apposed to trying something else. Im trying to keep 9mm and 38 powders compatible so i don't have a bunch of powder sitting around. Right now i shot 250 berrys 125gr FN just figured try something else if it will work.

With HP38, you can make some pretty light loads with either bullet weight, especially with a snub (less prone to a bullet sticking in the barrel). As others have noted, 158s seem to have better accuracy.

 

[fxvr5]

I read somewhere the heavier bullet had lower recoil.

This applies when bullets of different weights are driven to the same Power Factor (bullet weight times velocity) by the same gunpowder.

It might not apply in other conditions.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

I'm very partial to 3.7 gr HP-38/Win 231 under either a plated or coated SWC or RNFP. Soft shooting and more accurate than I am. But my favorite and most accurate plinking load is 3.5 gr HP-38 under a 148 gr Berry HBWC (about 715 fps from a 4" barrel). YMMV.

 

[Walkalong]

But my favorite and most accurate plinking load is 3.5 gr HP-38 under a 148 gr Berry HBWC (about 715 fps from a 4" barrel). YMMV.

IMHO, that dog will hunt, as they say.

 

[ray15]

I have quantities of the 125 and 158gr. Xtreme plated hollowpoints that I use in a range of 38 and 357 loads. The 125gr works well for me from 600-1500fps, but especially so from 600-1000. The 158 may be in theory more accurate but I've had no problem coming up with accurate loads using the 125gr. version. The lower price of the 125s is nice for plinking purposes. I use Titegroup in 38 loads and W296 in 357 mag, but most fast-burning powders will work well or better for 125gr. plinking loads.

 

[Dudedog]

Split the difference use 140s

http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=221&category=20&secondary=10&keywords=
These shot well for me in .357. They were BHN 18 but are available in a softer BHN12 that would work better for .38 Special velocities.
Nice compromise between the 125s and 158s but coated lead not plated.

158s are maybe a hair more accurate than 125s but I have to be having a good day to shoot the difference.
So most of the time for me it's the Indian not the arrow that makes the difference.

 

[Axis II]

I did an evaluation of recoil out of a snubby .38 special a while back and the 125s had dramatically lower recoil than any 158 load, even with trail boss. If recoil is your primary concern, 125s are your choice (or wadcutters).

If you are trying to find something that hits to point of aim, that's a different story. 158s hit closer to POA in my fixed sight S&W revolvers.

That's what I read awhile back. I knew I wasn't crazy! lol.

I figured those 125gr have some recoil with that little gun I'm kind of afraid to shoot 158's now! It does drive me a little crazy not having it hit POA but I can deal with it. Its a pocket or IWB gun and my club does some shoots where you basically have to have a pocket gun they call it backup gun night so POA would be nice but man does that thing suck to shoot! Only experience I have was target loads it came with and about 200 of my berrys 125gr FN with HP38.

 

[Axis II]

Split the difference use 140s

http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=221&category=20&secondary=10&keywords=
These shot well for me in .357. They were BHN 18 but are available in a softer BHN12 that would work better for .38 Special velocities.
Nice compromise between the 125s and 158s but coated lead not plated.

158s are maybe a hair more accurate than 125s but I have to be having a good day to shoot the difference.
So most of the time for me it's the Indian not the arrow that makes the difference.

Thanks for the link! I figured the extreme cause cabelas has them on sale right now and will be going there this weekend. Way cheaper than the MBC after their shipping.

 

[ray15]

Did you notice they have both of those bullets available on clearance from xtreme? $58/1000 is hard to beat. They are down to their last 1,000 of the 158FP, but have a bunch of 125s. Downside is it takes 2-3 weeks to get them on average.

https://www.xtremebullets.com/38-s/49021.htm

 

[Axis II]

Did you notice they have both of those bullets available on clearance from xtreme? $58/1000 is hard to beat. They are down to their last 1,000 of the 158FP, but have a bunch of 125s. Downside is it takes 2-3 weeks to get them on average.

https://www.xtremebullets.com/38-s/49021.htm

I didn't as I had some stuff to get at cabelas and figured get 500 there. Would you think extremes would shoot on par with Berrys of the same profile and weight? for being a snub nose it shoots pretty well offhand at say 10-15yards I can put 5 in about 8-10'' circle.

 

[ray15]

I find xtreme's quality to be as good or better than Berry's. Either should be fine for your application.

 

[Axis II]

I find xtreme's quality to be as good or better than Berry's. Either should be fine for your application.

I'm seriously thinking about it right now. I only have 100pc of brass for this gun and don't shoot it that much. I have to get tires and a front end alignment tomorrow so if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg ill put an order in. Having 1k bullets might give me an excuse to buy a full size 38spl.

Being clearance is there something wrong with them?

Thanks again for the link.

 

[wrench459]

...I have to get tires and a front end alignment tomorrow so if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg...

In my neck of the woods
a good four wheel alignment will cost about 2/3rds of one tire

 

[Average Joe]

I use the 158 grain Xtreme bullets in .38 special, and the 125 grain bullets in my .357 mag.