J Frame Low Recoil Ammunition

[jmortimer]

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For what it is worth - got my wife a 13 ounce S&W M&P 360 J Frame 2" barrel
(actually I believe it is 1 7/8") and needed a low recoil round. Bought some Federal Premium Personal Defense "Low Recoil" 110 grain Hydra Shok JHP and some .357 158 grain RFP "Cowboy" ammunition. I was concerned that the 110 grain Hydra Shok would not open up but it went though 3 gallon jugs of water with complete expansion - estimated penetration 10" - recoil was low even in the 13 ounce J Frame. Did not set up the Chrony so no velocity info. Only had five gallon jugs left and no surprise the 158 grain RFP
.357, even at "cowboy" velocity, easily shot through all five gallons. Would estimate that it would penetrate at least 18" - More recoil but still easy to manage. Can't wait to get some more Buffalo Bore 150 grain hard cast DEWC standard pressure and low flash ammunition and buy a bunch of gallon water jugs. The Federal will for sure expand but I believe I would rather shoot through the "target" with a hard cast wadcutter or the "cowboy" load.

 

[wnycollector]

BB's 150gr hard cast wadcutter is very nice ammo...but a bit pricey. http://mastercast.net/amo.htm makes a copper jacketed wadcutter that is a legitimate 825fps from a 4" barrel and lopes along ~750fps from my J frame snubbies IIRC. When my wife first started to shoot and carry, I loaded this in her M638. It will make a nice .357 hole in your "target".

 

[halfded]

got my wife a 13 ounce S&W M&P 360 J Frame 2" barrel

Why? Did she wreck your truck or something?

After some of the stories I've heard here and elsewhere about those uber-light snubbies in .357, I've all but crossed them off my "want to try" list. I had a Model 85 (Taurus) ultra-lite, took a little while to get used it with SD loads. My biggest problem was the recoil slamming my wedding ring (a thick, heavy tungsten carbide) against my shooting hand. It's been replaced with a SS 856; same gun just more weight and one more round in the wheel. It's a lot easier to shoot and my gun feels like, well, a gun again. I'm not too big on plastic guns and that's what the ultra-lite felt like.

I like the 856 much more. Recoil is a lot better making follow up shots a breeze.

 

[jmortimer]

halfded -The recoil was not a problem with either round. The lightweight is because she wanted something light to carry. Had a Titanium Taurus 85 and it had some "issues" and did not trust it for my wife. The felt recoil of the J Frame was similar to my SP101 which weighs twice as much. I was surprised. wnycollector will check out the Master Cast - Thanks

 

[joe_security]

Thanks for the review...Im running the Federal 110 HS in my prelock (.38 spl.) 360SC. I wanted non +P for this one, and for a 3" model 36 used by a very recoil sensitive person. The usual Gold dot SB proved to be too much for these applicatons. The BB stuff sounds good as well.

 

[GRIZ22]

got my wife

Is that what she wanted? My wife is tiny but prefers steel frame guns as do I. They absorb recoil a lot more.

Try standard 148 gr factory wadcutters. A hollowpoint has to expand a bit before it gets in the same shape as a wadcutter and has decent penetration.

 

[jbrown50]

The load I carry in my M&P 360 is the Corbon 125 gr. DPX 357 Magnums. They're a mid-range 357 load. They sting the hand a little but they don't flip the muzzle uncontrollably like heavier or full house 357 loads. They're very accurate too at 15 yards. Shoots to same point of aim as the 130 gr. FMJ that I practice with.

Another good load is the Corbon 110 gr. +P DPX 38 Special. Noticeably less recoil than anything else except maybe the 148 gr. wadcutters and very accurate out of the light little snubby.

The downside is that DPX is very expensive.

 

[41magsnub]

Another vote here for the 150gr BB hard cast wadcutters. Out of my j frame they have very slightly more recoil, emphasis on the very, than standard 147gr target wadcutters. They get great penetration, but of course no expansion at all. I definitely wouldn't want to be the one to test it, but if a guy had to shoot a bear with a 38 snubbie this would be the round to use.

I use them right now while my hand heals, after than I will be back on the 135gr Gold Dots.

 

[1KPerDay]

why? Did she wreck your truck or something?

lol

 

[Can2boy]

the gun will be yours in no time!! admit it you bought it for yourself. LOL.

 

[Bob79]

Another vote for the Cor Bon 110 Grain +P DPX...but like said above its gonna cost a lot....about $32-38 a box of 20 w/o shipping.

 

[jmortimer]

Can2boy Well I did mention that if she did not like it we could get her a semi-auto (I really like that gun and the tritium night sights are cool) and as for my old trucks she does hate them but they are still intact.

 

[gmh1013]

My wife uses Winchester 110gr Silvertips but snub is steel frame.
The recoil is very mild.

 

[Ed Harris]

A non +P load which expands well from the snubbies is the Winchester 110-grain Silvertip.
This particular load is optimized for alloy frame guns and had both low recoil and low muzzle flash. Velocity is 870 f.p.s. from a 2 inch barrel, it expands reliably to .50 cal. or larger in water jugs at ten yards from a snubbie.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=722761