Shooting some snub nosed revolvers and man is that just not pleasant. What’s the best standard pressure load out there?


Thanks.

First off, what have you tried so far?

My favorite low-recoil snubby load was the Federal 125gr Nyclad. Unfortunately, it's no longer made.

I haven't tried it, but I think the Winchester Defend 130gr JHP could be a good option. Gel tests suggest it'd be a good performer. I keep meaning to get some, but every time I go looking for it I can't find it.

There are some other low recoil HP options, but I'm not as familiar with them so I'll let others give their opinions on them.

148gr midrange target wadcutters could be another good choice. They have the potential to cut a good wound channel, and typically penetrates about 15 inches in gel from a snub, so one gets adequate penetration while mitigating the risk for overpenetration. I've been testing some to see if they might make for a good low-recoil option for me (I'm actually fine with +P, but that may not always be the case).

Finally, a caveat. Sometimes people will recommend Buffalo Bore's standard pressure offerings. While they may be standard pressure (some will debate that claim), they produce +P velocities. +P velocities mean they'll have +P recoil. Just something to be aware of.

Hope that helps.

In factory offerings, 148 grain wadcutter ammunition by the major manufacturers was always considered to be a “powder puff” target load. It was loaded to low velocities because for the disciplines it was used in there was no need for power, just for the bullet to punch paper as precisely and accurately as possible. Handloads were often even less potent. I once conducted an investigation of an attempted murder in which that load was fired from a 4 inch barrel. The bullet went through a uniform shirt, through the victim’s chest while grazing a rib, and was stopped by the fabric on the back. It would not be my choice for defensive purposes, but it will poke a hole.

Yeah, the Federal Nyclad 125 grain load was sweet. I've 25 rounds left. Man, I wish Federal would put it back into production.

Black Hills still makes the old .38 target load. The 148gr. hollow base wadcutter. Very mild load.
Ammo to Go stocks it, but it aint cheap.
This is lowest recoiling load I know for .38

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Yeah, the Federal Nyclad 125 grain load was sweet. I've 25 rounds left. Man, I wish Federal would put it back into production.

I'm holding on to the 2 or 3 boxes I have left.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Yeah, the Federal Nyclad 125 grain load was sweet. I've 25 rounds left. Man, I wish Federal would put it back into production.

Not the Standard Pressure load, but I've got a few boxes of the Nyclad .38 Special 125-gr. Plus-P HP around here somewhere--Let me know if you "Need" any...

Magtech 38 special short, 125gr LRN.

BUG's: .380 ACP vs. .38 Sp 6-2-12

quote:

When faced with too little penetration, as is common with lightweight .38 Sp JHP loads or too much penetration like with the wadcutters, then go with penetration. Agencies around here have used the Winchester 148 gr standard pressure lead target wadcutter (X38SMRP), as well as the Federal (GM38A) version--both work. A sharper edged wadcutter would even be better...

Wadcutter Ammo for Self-Defense

really like this stuff for the J-frames

https://www.natchezss.com/winc...25-gr-jsp-50-ct.html

(different from the Winclean variety)

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The factory 148 wadcutter target load is the softest shooting 38 Spcl. ammunition I have encountered.

FWIW, I chronographed the 125 grain Federal Nyclad in a S&W revolver with ~2" barrel. It averaged 765 FPS. I thought it was interesting that the Federal 129 grain +P Hydra-Shock averaged 763 FPS in the same gun...

Is this for fighting or fun?
Wadcutters have a following for hideout gun carry and are mild to shoot.

The cheapmart 130 gr ammo is pretty soft and most brands labeled "cowboy" are not at high velocity.

hornady makes a 90(ish ) grain load and a 100 or 110 grain that shoot well out of my vintage Mod 40,


wadcutters do well also,

and all are easy shooting

I too have some Federal Nyclad left: one box of 38 Spec HP and another in 9mm HP. Both accurate and soft shooting. Federal, if you're reading this, please bring it back!

First of all, what revolver models are you shooting?

If it's one of those super duper lightweight Scandium models, nothing is going to be pleasant.

I've actually shot the regular .38 Ruger LCR a few times with standard WWB type .38 FMJ and it wasn't bad at all.

I stopped shooting in PPC competitions long ago, but I kept a stash of 148 grain .38 Special HBWC rounds for practice and training of newbies. So comfortable and accurate! Last time I checked, Winchester, Federal, and Remington still offered these, and even in the "high tech" world of defensive/tactical ammunition offered, these rounds serve a purpose.

I don't know the "best".38 ammo, but for soft shooting, Winchester Defenders have very light recoil. I shot some Winchester Defenders yesterday, the JHP and their FMJ in a model 36 and both were soft. Maybe too soft I haven't seen any gel test, I doubt those Winchester Defenders are fast enough to expand. I wouldn't use them for carry.
For carry I use Buffalo Bore +p 158gr.

Are you looking for a range or defensive load?

quote:

Originally posted by leonidas211:
Shooting some snub nosed revolvers and man is that just not pleasant. What’s the best standard pressure load out there?


Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
I don't know the "best".38 ammo, but for soft shooting, Winchester Defenders have very light recoil. I shot some Winchester Defenders yesterday, the JHP and their FMJ in a model 36 and both were soft. Maybe too soft I haven't seen any gel test, I doubt those Winchester Defenders are fast enough to expand. I wouldn't use them for carry.

If you're talking about the Train and Defend loads, the JHP gel results are actually pretty good from what I recall. They would typically get about 12-13" with expansion, IIRC. I've been wanting to try some, but whenever I think to look for them I could never find them. If they shot well for me I would carry them.

quote:

Originally posted by henryarnaud:

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
I don't know the "best".38 ammo, but for soft shooting, Winchester Defenders have very light recoil. I shot some Winchester Defenders yesterday, the JHP and their FMJ in a model 36 and both were soft. Maybe too soft I haven't seen any gel test, I doubt those Winchester Defenders are fast enough to expand. I wouldn't use them for carry.

If you're talking about the Train and Defend loads, the JHP gel results are actually pretty good from what I recall. They would typically get about 12-13" with expansion, IIRC. I've been wanting to try some, but whenever I think to look for them I could never find them. If they shot well for me I would carry them.

........................................

Yes Winchester Train and Defend 130gr. JHP.
Box claims velocity - 900 @ muzzle
895@ 5 yards
877@ 25 yards
energy - 234@ muzzle
231@ 5 yards
222@ 25 yards
Bought at local Walmart. I guess I'll look at some gel tests but for sure very soft recoil.