Mix of types (tactical reload)

[atlctyslkr]

Jumping off of a previous post on tactical reloads:

I have often thought should I have something different for my reload than the ammo in the cylinder.

I was thinking hollowpoints for cylinder but possibly some FMJ as a reload. Hopefully it would never come to a reload but what if the attacker(s) won't back off and box me in. I'd like to have something that would penetrate whatever cover they had better than a hollowpoint.

I opt for a snub 357 because it's hard to find +p ammo in 38 special that's not HP.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Don't give into all the hype about unexpanding bullets. It doesn't matter if cloth may make a bullet not expand to it's full potential, but does it really matter? By how much does the bullet not expand? A few hundreths of an inch less? Would you really be better off with an FMJ round? Ask yourself that question. A JHP will do much better at stopping an attacker than an FMJ. If you are cornered, and are forced to use your gun, you should shoot till the threat is neutralized.

You will be fine with a hollow point.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

By how much does the bullet not expand? A few hundreths of an inch less? Would you really be better off with an FMJ round?

A hollowpoint that doesn't expand behaves like a wide flat nose solid -- not a bad bullet at all.

If one really worries about expansion, go to a .45. I recall reading one account of a shooting where the cop involved praised the performance of his .38 bullet, "It expanded to nearly half an inch."

Hmmmm -- to, say, .451"?

 

[bpisler]

In the Speer Lawman line of ammo there' a
38pl 158gr FMJ +P load.

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

Different bullet weights, and different bullet designs, have different points of impact on the target. Further complicating things, different makers' powder and loadings also change point of aim up and down . . . and even left or right of how you sighted in your handgun with your "regular" load.

Bullet PLACEMENT is more important than bullet type, IMHO.

That being said, I surely wouldn't want to load cartridges with different impact points . . . and different recoil amounts, for this would make my accuracy and consistency suffer . . . not a good thing if the other person is doing his best to kill you while you are trying to neutralize his threat to you!

THAT BEING SAID . . .

If you can find some hardball that recoils the same AND impacts at the same spot as your favorite hollowpoint, I see no problem mixing it as you wish. Sometime hardball will penetrate tougher barriers better. As such, many .45ACP fans will load a clip of hollowpoints in their car gun, and have a clip of hardball too in case it is needed against an attacker taking cover or shooting at you from a car.

Then again, hardball ain't a good thing inside a home (especially yours) if you are engaged in a gun fight with an intruder . . . for the bullets will penetrate more and place loved ones in greater danger.

 

[FotoTomas]

It is a neat idea with some theoretical advantages but very impractical in the real world.

First off the chances of you needing the gun for self defense are very slim. If you need it you likely will not fire it and if you fire it you will most likely not need a reload. Playing the odds of course means someone somewhere will need it bad and lots'a'bullets!

As for me...when I carried a 5 shot S&W Modedl 38 I kept it loaded with hollowpoints and the reloads were the same ammo from the same box. I wanted consistancy and liability insurance. Mixing bullets if extra were needed could be problematic.

I did have a friend however many years ago that kept his police service revolver loaded with two empty chambers up front, two JHPs and two FMJ armor piercing. His idea was the first two trigger pulls were for officer safety in the event of a gun grab, second two were for maximum effect on a person and the last two were to insure that the bullets would get through something. The speedloaders on his belt were loaded with the same JHP and FMJ alternated.

In the long run he transitioned to a semi and went with JHP for everything. That is what I would do as well.

 

[Jim March]

In 38/38+P in particular, most of the non-expanding loads aren't set up with as much energy as the hollowpoints. There are rare exceptions but overall that's the trend.

If you want a "deep punch" round, take a good JHP like the 135 Gold Dot and fill the cavity with JB-Weld or another good epoxy. Use a toothpick to stir it in slowly so no air bubbles throw the spin balance off. Give it a nice flat nose profile.

Not something I'd want myself but...it would work.

 

[sm]

I'm in the "What loading provides best POA/POI out of this revolver" - camp.

Kinda depends on the revolver, environment, skill sets...

If person is carrying a J frame .357 with whomper-stomper loads - that do not go where supposed to - add- recoil hinders follow up shots ...well unless you change the load to one that does go POA/POI , affords quick accurate hits ( follow up shots) - you will not be needing to reload thing anyway.

Car Jacking : Let us say the BG gets into the car - at bad breath distance, not going to matter so much, as having a gun period and stopping immediate threat.

.357 is LOUD! Here is where I wish more .44 spl gun offerings of quality were avail. I like .357 a lot, then again nothing wrong with that low pressure .44spl round. Especially in an enclosed setting.

I have a 3" Model 64 for instance that really likes the 125 gr +p STHP by Win, it also likes the Standard and +p of 158 gr LWSC-HP by Win and Rem, it didn' do squat with the 135 gr Gold Dots I tired. I have had shotguns shoot tighter groups...maybe a newer lot it will like. *shrug*.

Now I have a 1928 Colt DS, sentimental, and carried very rarely, shot little. That sucker really likes 148 gr wadcutters and 158 gr standard pressure SWC.
It has once behaved with a 130 FMJ by Win, it does better with PMC 130 FMJ
[anyone else remember these in green boxes?]
Colt DS stays loaded with these standard pressure 158 gr SWcs.

Main reason - I am preserving the sentimentality, the gun, and have not tested a bunch of loads, most likely will not.

With the DS and Tactical Reload - I am not tactical , I am practical, and older...
Going to pull a "Mike Hammer" - pull another gun or let some Dame shoot the BG.

Actually - best thing if trouble comes - pull a "Bullit"...

 

[jerkface11]

tactical reload?

What kind of neighborhood do you hang out in that you don't think 6 .357mag hollow points will do the job?

Edited for spelling