+P 38 spec that much better?
- Thread starter SkaerE
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ACP
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I don't have the article handy, but one study found +p was best in .38 special and more or less a wash in other calibers.
.38 snubbies need all the help they can get. Go +p for carry, and occaisional practice. I use standard pressure fodder in the same weight (or close to it) for range practice. I would stick with 125-, 130-, and 158-gr., by the way. I think 110 and lower is too light.
.38 snubbies need all the help they can get. Go +p for carry, and occaisional practice. I use standard pressure fodder in the same weight (or close to it) for range practice. I would stick with 125-, 130-, and 158-gr., by the way. I think 110 and lower is too light.
farscott
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A couple of thoughts.
1) S&W is running a fall promotion on some snubbies, including new M642's. My dealer has a new M642 for $350. So I would probably hold out for a new one if +P is that big a deal to you.
2) Personally, I am not a +P fan. I carry Nyclad 125-grain hollowpoints in my M342PD. That is enough recoil for me. The +P loads extend my shot recovery time and ruin my accuracy, so I stick with the standard velocity stuff. I rather hit the target with a slower bullet than miss with a faster one.
1) S&W is running a fall promotion on some snubbies, including new M642's. My dealer has a new M642 for $350. So I would probably hold out for a new one if +P is that big a deal to you.
2) Personally, I am not a +P fan. I carry Nyclad 125-grain hollowpoints in my M342PD. That is enough recoil for me. The +P loads extend my shot recovery time and ruin my accuracy, so I stick with the standard velocity stuff. I rather hit the target with a slower bullet than miss with a faster one.
.38 Special +P is not any hotter (or maybe not as hot) as some of the handloads I put through my Model 36 with no damage. I didn't use them as a matter of course, but carried them and fired enough so I knew what they felt like and what to expect in noise and blast.
Jim
Jim
tbeb
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I have an older style Charter Arms snubby that is not +P rated. I practice with standard pressure ammo. Once in a blue moon I fire a cylinder full of +P ammo. I carry +P's for self defense.
If I wanted standard pressure ammo for self defense, then it would be Federal Nyclad 125 gr. lead hollowpoint. (ammoman.com web site shows they sell 250 rounds for $119.00, shipping included.)
I'd go for that 442. I once saw one in excellent condition for $325, so under $300 sounds good if it's a nice one.
If I wanted standard pressure ammo for self defense, then it would be Federal Nyclad 125 gr. lead hollowpoint. (ammoman.com web site shows they sell 250 rounds for $119.00, shipping included.)
I'd go for that 442. I once saw one in excellent condition for $325, so under $300 sounds good if it's a nice one.
ACP
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American Handgunner, Jan/Feb 1998
+p vs. standard catridge (2" S&W 442)
110-gr. std. 722 fps. 3.6/ft. lbs. recoil
110-gr. +p 891 fps 5.2 ft. lbs. recoil
They say tt is an 18.9% velocity increase with a 30.8% recoil increase.
The article says +p is better in .38 Special because maufacturers have spent so much time designing good bullets around the higher pressures.
FWIW, from handgunsmag.com I have also some ballistic data for .38 Special loads from a 2" snubby. Shots were fired into bare and clothed gelatin. Briefly, the averages:
Fed. +p 129-gr HS -- 810 fps, 13.64" penetration, .48" expansion
Fed. +p 129-gr. Nyclad -- 874 fps, 9.3, .69
Fed. +p 158-gr. Nyclad -- 760 fps, 19, .37 (i.e. none)
Winch. +p 158-gr. LSWCHP -- 821 fps, 16.2, .44
Winch. +p 125-gr. SJHP -- 723 fps, 16.5, .42
Winch. +p 125-gr. Silvertip -- 726 fps, 13.1, .55
Winch. +p 130gr. SXT personal protection -- 825 fps, 14.6, .56
Speer +p 125-gr. GDHP -- 823 fps, 13.4, .60
Remington +p 125-gr. Golden Saber -- 824, 10.9, .53
Based on pure numbers, the Winch. Personal Protection and the Speer Gold Dot look good. I carry the heavy Winchester load -- I just shot it yesterday at the range (along with some Golden Sabers). The heavier round just "feels good" to me out of my S&W 642 Airweight.
+p vs. standard catridge (2" S&W 442)
110-gr. std. 722 fps. 3.6/ft. lbs. recoil
110-gr. +p 891 fps 5.2 ft. lbs. recoil
They say tt is an 18.9% velocity increase with a 30.8% recoil increase.
The article says +p is better in .38 Special because maufacturers have spent so much time designing good bullets around the higher pressures.
FWIW, from handgunsmag.com I have also some ballistic data for .38 Special loads from a 2" snubby. Shots were fired into bare and clothed gelatin. Briefly, the averages:
Fed. +p 129-gr HS -- 810 fps, 13.64" penetration, .48" expansion
Fed. +p 129-gr. Nyclad -- 874 fps, 9.3, .69
Fed. +p 158-gr. Nyclad -- 760 fps, 19, .37 (i.e. none)
Winch. +p 158-gr. LSWCHP -- 821 fps, 16.2, .44
Winch. +p 125-gr. SJHP -- 723 fps, 16.5, .42
Winch. +p 125-gr. Silvertip -- 726 fps, 13.1, .55
Winch. +p 130gr. SXT personal protection -- 825 fps, 14.6, .56
Speer +p 125-gr. GDHP -- 823 fps, 13.4, .60
Remington +p 125-gr. Golden Saber -- 824, 10.9, .53
Based on pure numbers, the Winch. Personal Protection and the Speer Gold Dot look good. I carry the heavy Winchester load -- I just shot it yesterday at the range (along with some Golden Sabers). The heavier round just "feels good" to me out of my S&W 642 Airweight.
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