Pumpkinheaver
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What is the best ammo to carry in a 2" .38 spl?
.38 spl ammo?
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Preacherman
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Depends if your snubby is +P-rated or not. For a non-+P snubby, I always recommend the standard-velocity Federal 125gr. Nyclad JHP. It's no longer made, but stocks are still around (see www.ammoman.com for one source).
For a +P-rated snubby, until recently I've recommended either the "FBI Load" of a 158gr. LSWCHP, made by Federal, Remington or Winchester, or the Winchester 130gr. SXT JHP. However, there are two new loads out that are definitely going to replace both of these in my "recommended" list. One is the Speer 135gr. JHP, loaded to about 850 fps, and with a very large cavity. It's specifically designed to expand at snubby velocities. The other is Buffalo Bore's 158gr. LSWCHP-GC, loaded to (wait for it!) 1,000 fps (
) from a 2" barrel. They've made a propellant "cocktail" that they claim is no higher pressure than any standard +P .38 Special load. I suspect this one may work best in full-weight (i.e. steel-frame) snubby's, as in lightweights it may suffer from "bullet pull" under recoil. However, I'm going to have to do some tests before I know for sure - it's not yet in production, so I have to wait for it. If it works well, it will for sure be my #1 choice as a snubby load. If it's a bit too hot for lightweight guns, I'll rely on the Speer 135gr.
For a +P-rated snubby, until recently I've recommended either the "FBI Load" of a 158gr. LSWCHP, made by Federal, Remington or Winchester, or the Winchester 130gr. SXT JHP. However, there are two new loads out that are definitely going to replace both of these in my "recommended" list. One is the Speer 135gr. JHP, loaded to about 850 fps, and with a very large cavity. It's specifically designed to expand at snubby velocities. The other is Buffalo Bore's 158gr. LSWCHP-GC, loaded to (wait for it!) 1,000 fps (
) from a 2" barrel. They've made a propellant "cocktail" that they claim is no higher pressure than any standard +P .38 Special load. I suspect this one may work best in full-weight (i.e. steel-frame) snubby's, as in lightweights it may suffer from "bullet pull" under recoil. However, I'm going to have to do some tests before I know for sure - it's not yet in production, so I have to wait for it. If it works well, it will for sure be my #1 choice as a snubby load. If it's a bit too hot for lightweight guns, I'll rely on the Speer 135gr.
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Jim March
Member
Preacherman covered it. The new 135 Speer has a LOT of promise because their previous option (the 125+P) worked pretty good, one of the three best Snubby options, and Speer is dead certain they've topped that. And they're not known for hype. We do NOT have independent test data on it yet, but Speer's published data looks good enough that some of us are switching to it already. Including me if I can find some.
Buffalo Bore: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm
There are also lower-velocity 158 lead hollowpoints by Winchester and Remmington that pull about 850fps from a 2" barrel. They work pretty good. The hotter Buffalo Bore variety of the same thing oughta rock.
Other details: if your snubby is a "superlight" in aluminum, titanium or scandium, you might have problems with the lead 158s, esp. the hot BufBore. Lead is slick and may "pull" - get yanked out of the other cylinders on recoil from the first shot, locking the cylinder and converting the gun to paperweight status. Speer is claiming that they've set up the 135 specifically to avoid this problem on the latest generation snubbies of 12oz or below.
Another round that has tested well in 38+P snubs is the Winchester 130 grain Supreme. It has a HUGE hollowpoint cavity and probably inspired Speer to do the 135 as a counter. In longer barrels, the Win130's jacket can peel back but from a 2" it's a good option if you can't find the 135s. I have a stash of these and it's my current home-defense snubby load.
Speer's 125 pill was designed in two flavors: "high velocity" for 357s, "low velocity" for 38+Ps. When you check out BB's site you'll see reference to a 38+P "L.V." load, that's what they're talking about. With BB loading that 125 abnormally hot, it'll be a damned fine load too. As loaded by Speer, Georgia Arms, Proload, Black Hills and others, the 125 LV in 38+P will do 850 - 875. At that speed it isn't bad. At 1,000fps it might top the 135. *Might*. But I'd rather have the 158lead at that speed
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Buffalo Bore: http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm
There are also lower-velocity 158 lead hollowpoints by Winchester and Remmington that pull about 850fps from a 2" barrel. They work pretty good. The hotter Buffalo Bore variety of the same thing oughta rock.
Other details: if your snubby is a "superlight" in aluminum, titanium or scandium, you might have problems with the lead 158s, esp. the hot BufBore. Lead is slick and may "pull" - get yanked out of the other cylinders on recoil from the first shot, locking the cylinder and converting the gun to paperweight status. Speer is claiming that they've set up the 135 specifically to avoid this problem on the latest generation snubbies of 12oz or below.
Another round that has tested well in 38+P snubs is the Winchester 130 grain Supreme. It has a HUGE hollowpoint cavity and probably inspired Speer to do the 135 as a counter. In longer barrels, the Win130's jacket can peel back but from a 2" it's a good option if you can't find the 135s. I have a stash of these and it's my current home-defense snubby load.
Speer's 125 pill was designed in two flavors: "high velocity" for 357s, "low velocity" for 38+Ps. When you check out BB's site you'll see reference to a 38+P "L.V." load, that's what they're talking about. With BB loading that 125 abnormally hot, it'll be a damned fine load too. As loaded by Speer, Georgia Arms, Proload, Black Hills and others, the 125 LV in 38+P will do 850 - 875. At that speed it isn't bad. At 1,000fps it might top the 135. *Might*. But I'd rather have the 158lead at that speed
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