Federal .38 Spl +P 129gr. for SW686?

[Climb14er]

I've got a SW 686 and Model 60 and was given an old 'new' box of 129gr. +P's, .38 Spl ammo. I have not seen these loads in quite some time.

Any comments and suggestions re: this particular ammo for the two models I mentioned?

The ammo was stored in a dry and cool area and they appear to be Federal Hydrashock JHP's but there's no mention of the name Hydrashock on the box.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Interesting. That's a current commercial load -- same weight, same format, same classification -- under the Hydra-Shok label.

I don't have a 686. (But ask me again this time next month...) However, I use the Federal Hydra-Shok 129 gr .38 +Ps as regular defensive ammo in my 4" Ruger GP100.

I like it a lot. Quick follow-ups are easy, and it's the only ammunition so far that noticeably improves my offhand groups at 10 yards.

Since the GP is the Chevy to the 686's Ford, I'd be surprised if your experience with the rounds was much different.

 

[Bullet]

Climb 14er

Go shoot the old 'new' box of 129 Gr.and then go buy Speers new Gold Dot 135 Gr. 38 +Ps.

 

[Jim March]

You will NOT ever find me with Federal carry or home defense ammo, ever, period.

WAY too many documented cases of pathetic, sub-par-for-the-caliber performance. Widespread wimping out of powder charges. "Easy followup"? I'll bet. Chrony the puppies. They'll probably do "OK" from a 4" tube but I wouldn't bet on it.

They made their rep back when they had the most modern JHP designs out there. Those days are WAY past. The Gold Dot spanked their butts across most calibers for defense, the XTP did the same for hunting...and both are loaded to their full potential.

The 135GD is the most exciting thing to happen to the 38+P in years. It will probably feel more potent than any Federal 38+P of any bullet weight but this a 686 we're talking about, any 38+P short of a Bufallo Bore or old-stock Cor-Bon 158 should be easily controllable in that big booger .

Federal?

NO way, no how, not on your life.

Some loads have clocked so poorly, they border on fraud - you think you're buying premium defense ammo (at premium prices) when in fact it's just garbage.

Once in a while there are exceptions across the Federal product line but not in 38spl, not in terms of current production.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Noted, Jim. Thank you for the critique. I don't have a chrono but I'll try to investigate further.

I shoot a lot of factory Speer 158 gr Gold Dots JHPs in .357 Magnum, and I can control them. It would be good to use them for SD, but under current circumstances, I just won't do it. Too much fear of overpenetration. I live in a wooden house that's about 25 feet from the next wooden house.

Couple of times I have actually loaded up the 4" revolver with .357s, placed it by the bed, brooded on it, then decided, "nope, can't do it," and returned to the 129 gr +Ps.

I have considered Glasers. But it gets cold here, so an assailant with a heavy winter coat is quite possible. And Glasers are painfully expensive to practice with.

 

[Jim March]

I understand completely about not loading heavy 357s; your concern is valid.

But that doesn't mean you can't use a GOOD 38+P.