Range Report - SD Ammo
Okay, this has been a long time coming. I tested 3 different loads for SD in my 642 about 2 weeks ago. However, before getting a chance to post I became very ill with the absolute worst stomach bug around. Vicious little !@#$. Sickest I've ever been in my life, I was seriously considering the hospital, and I hate going to the Dr!
I am well now, so here's my very informal observations of the loads I tested. I was basically looking at muzzle flash in a darkened environment, bullet pull under recoil/g, felt recoil, accuracy in my 642 and ease of reloading using an HKS speedloader (#36).
Loads:
- Speer Gold Dot 135 Grain +P JHP (current carry load), herein referred to as "SGD".
- Double Tap 125 Grain +P JHP with Speer low velocity bullets, "DT".
- Remington Lead Semiwadcutter Hollowpoint 158 Grain +P, "FBI Load".
Note: I am not much into things like "energy transfer", velocity and things of that sort. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are more critical in a gunfight, IMO, than 250 vs 350 ft-lbs of energy. For those interested, I think the DTs are the hottest loads on paper, doing a tad over 1100 fps out of a 1 7/8" barrel with about 300+ ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Muzzle Flash
I had a great opportunity to test for muzzle flash at the indoor range I frequent, as a private security company was having qualification day and part of the test was conducted in almost total darkness. Indoors in lighted conditions, I always thought the FBI load had more flash than the SGDs. However, in a pitch black room there was hardly any noticeable difference at all. I was surprised by this, I thought the FBI Load would have been noticeably brighter. But it wasn't.
Another thing: the flash wasn't as blinding as I thought it would be in near total darkness. But this session did give me a warm fuzzy about my other carry gun, a 5" 1911 45 ACP, which had less flash than the 642.
Again, all 3 loads were about the same.
Advantage: Tie
Bullet Pull
I had previously tested the SGDs and FBI Load for bullet pull under recoil, but I retested them along with the initial tests for the DT ammo. Basically, I observed the last round in the chamber after firing the first four for any evidence of the bullet backing out of the case. I then removed that 5th round and added to the next cylinder load to see how much worse it would get. I would have measured the exact OALs with my digital calipers, but they broke that morning
. All 3 loads exhibited some very minor "backing out", say .02" or so at most.
So again, all three loads passed.
Advantage: Tie
Felt Recoil
Honestly, there wasn't much difference between the three, which I would describe as "stout", but not at all unmanageable. The DTs seemed to be a touch sharper/snappier than the other two, while the FBI Load had a bit heavier push than the others. The SGDs seem to split the difference.
None were what I'd call unpleasant, and no single round had an advantage over the other.
Advantage: Tie
Accuracy
Like felt recoil, accuracy is highly subjective. So take my words with a grain of salt.
I was having a decent day (not my best), but at least I felt I was consistent. This is where one of the three began to show an edge for me: The FBI Load. It grouped about the same as the other two, but the POA vs POI was
slightly better (the others were a tad low). At 7 yds, there just isn't going to be much of a difference. But again, it is worth noting that S&W fixed sight 38s are regulated for use with 158 grain bullets, so this isn't surprising.
Advantage (for me): FBI Load.
Ease of Reloading
I carry one or two reloads using an HKS speedloader, so this to me was an important test. It also reminded me that I need to have the charge holes on my fighting handguns chamfered some day to facilitate speedier reloads.
Here, two loads performed about the same: SGDs and DTs. The smaller, JHPs of these 135 and 125 grain loads were noticeably easier to line up with the cylinder holes and slide in than the 158 grain lead FBI Load. In theory, the 125 grain DTs should be a tad easier to load than the SGDs, but I couldn't tell much difference here. But I'll give the DTs the nod. As a side note, I've heard the easist hollowpoints to reload are the copper Cor Bon 110 grain DPX +P, with their thin, tall, pointed bullets. Makes reloading with a speedloader or speedstrip a snap. But they are EXPENSIVE.
Advantage: DT
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There are other factors, notably availability and cost. 38 hollowpoint ammo is tough to find in my area, so I have to make my purchases online regardless, with the exception of the SPGs, though they are getting more difficult to find, what with at least one local PD in my region issuing a large number of 642s as BUGs
. As for cost, the DTs seem to be the cheapest:
DT: $32 (with shipping) for 50
FBI: $37 (with shipping) for 50
SGD: $25 (local, when they're in stock) for 20
Basically, given all of the above, I've switch my primary carry load in my 642. I've got her stoked with the FBI Load, while I carry the DTs as a reload. This seems to be the most prudent arrangement for me, as I shot the 158 LSWCHP a tad better, but the DTs and SGDs were easier to reload. I'd be just as happy with the SGDs as a reload, I just don't have any in my stockpile right now
.
Hope this is helpful.
