Taurus 85 38sp snubbie, powder burns and ammo....

[Cluster Bomb]

I have some questions but lets start on my experiences.

We just finished my stock pile of 130g American eagle lead ammo. the ammo shoots really well in all the revolvers that arnt snubbies.

My snubbies at 18yrds seem to be all over the place even at closer rangers with the same grain ammo. Even white boxed 135g Winchester from wallys.

I am looking to restock my ammo, atm I am not in the position to do reloads so factory bulk ammo is a must.

I have read that 135g is to hot for the taurus 85? Should I go 125g or 158g?

also forgot to mention that after 5 rounds ther is alot of powder burns that seems to want to discolor the gun. from the cyl ends and tip of the barrel. it is much more significantly worse than i have seen ever

 

[Hondo 60]

Almost all 38 specials were designed for 158 gr lead round nosed ammo.
So that "should" give you the best accuracy.
But mine is most accurate using 125gr HP from The Hunting Shack & 3.8 gr of Tite Group.
(ya, I know, you said no reloading, but that really will give you best accuracy)


If that's still wild for you, make sure you slow down & aim as perfectly as you can.

The carbon deposits on the business end of the cylinder is perfectly normal.
In the past I've heard it referred to as "raccoon eyes".

 

[joneb]

I have a Taurus Mod 85 in SS I bought new in the mid 90s, the sights are set for 158gr bullets 130 and 125gr will shoot 2-3" low at 15yds but they all grouped well.
I have not bought factory 38spl for around 7yrs I load 148 WC with 3.6gr of Bullseye and 158gr LSWC with 4.2gr of W-231 the accuracy with the reloads is better than factory ammo I have tried.

 

[MCgunner]

My little Taurus 85SSUL (Ultralite) gets fed +P 140 or 158 grain handloads for carry. It shoots 'em into 3" at 25 yards from a rest and shoots 'em to POA. I practice with handloaded wadcutters. The +P stuff is a little tough to put 50 to 100 rounds through in a sesson with the alloy gun. I bought this gun in 96, was one of the first alloy framed guns to be +P rated. It's still tight and accurate after a LOT of rounds, in the thousands, haven't kept a count. Never tried the milsurp 130, but 125 grain stuff I've tried and 145 hydroshok don't shoot for squat in my gun. I prefer a heavier bullet load, anyway, for carry.

Yeah, the front of the cylinder on ANY revolver gets powder stains. A gun polish will take it off, but I just get used to it on my stainless guns. On my blued guns, I don't notice it.