Who makes high quality, non +P factory .38 spl ammo?

[strat81]

Holy Thread Necromancy, Batman!

Colt Smith, I was leery about Buffalo Bore's non +P defensive loads. While I believe the pressures are not +P, I suspect the recoil is. I spoke with a notable Colt revolversmith about this and he confirmed my suspicions. You can't get something for nothing and it's the recoil that batters aluminum Colt frames. More info here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4593516&postcount=16

No free lunch, and all that. I'm not a Colt expert.

 

[rgs1975]

I shoot American Eagle 130 grain FMJ and Fiocchi 130 grain FMJ out of my 1949 K38. Both are accurate as all get out, a dream to shoot and not terribly expensive. The FMJ keeps the cleaning up of lead deposits to a minimum.

 

[rklessdriver]

I have a box of MAG TEC 158gr SJHP that are std pressure. I keep them in my first edition 1959 Colt Cobra. They seem about the same (recoil wise) as WWB 130gr FMJ, very easy on the gun.

I know the heavy 158gr bullet will penetrate. Maybe it will expand a little but its no big deal, as the projectile is a very blunt shape. Add in the fact I have much better options in the nightstand that are +P rated, the 1959 Cobra is relegated to the back of my safe and it would be near impossible for me to pick it up in self defense.

Aguila also offers a std pressure 158gr SJHP, I tried to get for it but they were out of stock everywhere I looked. I saw some at a gun show a few months ago and they looked identical to the MAG TEC's.
Will

 

[Pilot]

Federal makes a 110 grn non +P .38 Special Hydroshok Hollowpoint.

I believe they market that as the "Low Recoil" round.

 

[csmkersh]

Look for Federal PD38HS3H 38 Special 110 grain Hydra-Shok JHP Premium Personal Defense ammo. It's NOT +P. Then there's the old FBI load from Remington, 38 Special R38S6 158 LEAD SWC which is also not +P.

​

 

[Gary A]

Jim March wrote:

Yup. And they can't hit more than 775fps from a 2" barrel unless there's a hurricane-force tailwind behind 'em .

Seriously: a 110 standard pressure still oughta hit 825 - 850fps. Federal "wimped out". Again.

Seen this WAY too often. I have no faith in Federal whatsoever.

Jim, I know you have long held this opinion of Federal loads, and my experience tells me you are correct in many instances, but I'm not sure that is the case with the Federal 110 grain standard .38s. I don't have personal chronograph results to argue one way or the other but here are some 2 inch (1.87") barrel velocities for that round that I have found while researching standard pressure .38 loads:

852 fps
792 fps
817 fps
879 fps
821 fps
884 fps
820 fps
854 fps
844 fps
850 fps
875 fps

These are from various sources and different J-frames. If they are at all accurate and indicative, it doesn't seem like a bad summertime load to me.

Gary

 

[cocojo]

I like the Federal Nyclad 125 HP's which they no longer make but Speer makes a non +P gold dot 125HP LE load, (53722 code). This HP is as large as the 135 short barrel loading but it is designed for 4 inch guns. Ammunitiontogo.com has this round for sale. Remington makes a dandy 110SJHP with a bark to it, in non +P. When you shoot it you will know it but recoil is not bad. I found the Winchester 110 silvertips to be wimpy. Federal make one also in a 110. Then there's the Buffalo Bore non +P but this ammo is hot and I think it still batters a handgun even though it's not +P. Last up, swc standard velocity or full wadcutters and RNL.