Hornady 158gr. XTP in a j-frame snub?

[outerlimit]

I was thinking of using this ammo in an old non +p rated j-frame I have, anybody like or use this ammo? It looks like a pretty good alternative to 158gr. nyclads, which are impossible to find nowadays. I was thinking of using some Speer 135gr. +p since I have like 10rds of the stuff left, but I don't like that light a weight or using the +p in this particular gun. Not that I think it will hurt the gun, but I'm going against my usual urge to go +p or +p+ on this one. Has anyone chrono'd the Hornady out of a snub? They show 800fps, but I assume that's from a 4" barrel. I want the best penetration above all with this particular gun/caliber, with expansion a secondary consideration.

 

[357 Terms]

I want the best penetration above all with this particular gun/caliber, with expansion a secondary consideration.

Thats what you will get. I use the XTP as a magnum hunting round, They are a very tough bullet. They will expand at magnum velocities while still holding together well.

At standard 38 velocities you will most likely get little to no expansion.

For a 38 SD round you could do better. ( penetration and expansion)

Cor-Bons DPX or Speers Short Barrel Gold Dot or even Hornady's Critical Defense are good choices.
Also, a LSWCHP is prolly one of the best standard 38 SD rounds ever, and would be my choice is I carried a snubby 38.

What kind of J-frame do you have? +p is probably just fine outta it.

 

[outerlimit]

It's a Rossi M68, I'd really like to stay away from +p, is there a 158gr. LSWCHP load you recommend? Everything I seem to find is either light weight JHP +p stuff or LRN target loads. I looked around town and everyone is sold out of the Hornady 158gr. XTP round right now. Right now all I have for .38 defensive ammo is 5 rounds of 135gr. +p Gold Dots and a speedloader with 5 more rounds of the stuff, but I don't really feel comfortable with it in that gun.

 

[outerlimit]

I found this thread http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=555827

I might order some of that Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP round.

---

Alright, I found a good price (relatively speaking) on the XTP so I ordered 100rds, gonna try that out first.

 

[Gary A]

Like you I prefer 158 grains over lighter rounds but have you considered the 125 grain version of the standard pressure Federal Nyclad? It was re-issued several years ago and was available at gunshows and the like. Haven't looked lately. I like it for a non+P load.

 

[outerlimit]

I have considered it, but am concerned about the penetration of this load.

 

[rcmodel]

Penetration will be excellent with 158 XTP..

158 XTP will not expand at snub-nose velocity.

Just about like shooting FMJ RN with a slightly sharper front grill!!

rc

 

[Pyro]

They won't expand.
Great for carbines.

 

[Gary A]

For a non plus P snubby, it has long seemed to me that the "best" heavy non plus P load might simply be a 158 LSWC non hollow point. It will penetrate. It might expand somewhat if it hits something hard (it is lead after all and not jacketed). Standard pressure 158 hollowpoints wont expand anyway. The round is available and attractively priced. Also, for a non plus P gun, if I had to shoot plus P, I think I would choose a 158 LSWCHP+P anyway over the excellent Speer 135 load because I know the older load is loaded to earlier plus P pressures, i.e. nmt 18,500 psi rather than the 20,000+ psi the Speer offering is loaded to (per their own spec sheets). I believe the older/weaker gun would handle an 18,500 psi lead bullet better than a 20,000 psi jacketed bullet. JMO.

 

[Remllez]

Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 grain LSWCHP is a very good choice for your gun, I'm not sure about shooting a lot of +P's in your gun. XTP's are great slugs out of 4-6 inch barrels but not sure they run fast enough outta the shorter barrels even at +P velocities.

I use standard pressure LSWC out of both my J-frames and find it penetrates well and does expand somewhat through milk cartons full of water. If they hit bone I'm sure they will deform somewhat. If you have a police supply house near you the Nyclads are available in 50 round white box,reasonably priced.

I prefer heavy for caliber slugs in my handguns, and find follow up's easy with standard pressure loads and they shoot to POA for me as well out to 20 yards or so. At .38 snub velocities momentum from weight will help penetration. A steady diet of +P through your gun is gonna loosen it up much quicker.

There is a fellow on here that sells the Cirrilo load but I don't recall his screen name at the moment. I believe it's a double ended wadcutter at around 800 fps, I'm not sure of the brinell on them but Cirrilo used them exclusively to great effect. Driving soft lead at high velocities is a mess that much I know.