.38 Special Snubby Ammo - Findings, Thoughts and Impressions

[BobM]

@UNK

Sorry for the late reply, been pretty busy lately cranking out ammo, raising kids, traveling, etc.

I have used some going as slow as 710, but I tend to push them faster.

That said, even the slower ones on smaller game tend to do exactly as described above.

I have two different .38 wadcutter loads.

A standard pressure, and a +P load.

The standard pressure velocity for a 4" K is 775 FPS

I cannot recall the other velocities off the top of my head at the moment.

The +P wadcutter load velocities are:

1 &7/8ths" BBL= 820 FPS
4" BBL= 885 FPS
6" BBL= 950 FPS


They do quite well, especially the +P load in penetrating straight through most things I have used them on.

How is the recoil of the +P load in the lightweight J frame?

[Mike Pipes]

NOT UNK............................IT HURTS....CYA MIKE

[RevolverRob]

I too like my wadcutters seated out a little bit. Over 3.2-3.3gr of VVN330 a 148-grain WC comes out of my 2" D-Frame slightly faster (no chrono, but I'd guess about 725-750fps) than a factory WC. It's a nice shooting load.

Next time Double Tap has it's 148-grain WC in stock, I'm going to buy some. They advertise 740fps from a J-Frame. Which should be a real sweet spot for J-Frames.

[JHC]

I too like my wadcutters seated out a little bit. Over 3.2-3.3gr of VVN330 a 148-grain WC comes out of my 2" D-Frame slightly faster (no chrono, but I'd guess about 725-750fps) than a factory WC. It's a nice shooting load.

Next time Double Tap has it's 148-grain WC in stock, I'm going to buy some. They advertise 740fps from a J-Frame. Which should be a real sweet spot for J-Frames.

IF you had the choice between Speed GD 135 +P or those which would it be?
Steel frame?
Alloy?

My .38s are steel frame, a 2" and a 3". Can't tell you from memory here which has the GDs and which Federal Match WC but the supply of both is pretty much tits up.

[RevolverRob]

IF you had the choice between Speed GD 135 +P or those which would it be?
Steel frame?
Alloy?

My .38s are steel frame, a 2" and a 3". Can't tell you from memory here which has the GDs and which Federal Match WC but the supply of both is pretty much tits up.

From a 3" gun the Gold Dot Short Barrel should give 12-16" of penetration and expansion. It is for sure the best non-magnum load from a 3" gun. Unfortunately, it has always been nigh unobtanium and that's not different now.

For a 2" gun - I mean, I run the GD Short Barrel in those as well and they are easier to shoot than old 158-grain +P LHPs, but not nearly as sweet as a wadcutter.

Federal has GMM's in stock - https://www.federalpremium.com/handg.../11-GM38A.html

They ain't cheap at $51/50 - but I guess $1.02/round is still better than the currently Unavailable/Round of the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel.

[Lost River]

How is the recoil of the +P load in the lightweight J frame?

There is no free lunch.

The +Ps are a bit snappy. I reserve the heavy loads for carry and shooting larger game, and use my standard velocity loads (which are a bit faster than the big name brand) in most small/medium game and targets.

[LOBO]

Any tests (not by Federal) in ballistic gel w/ 4LD of the .38 spl 130 gr HST from a snub? How about Buffalo Bore or Corbon 110 gr +P DPX from a snub n gel w/ 4 LD?

[RevolverRob]

Any tests (not by Federal) in ballistic gel w/ 4LD of the .38 spl 130 gr HST from a snub? How about Buffalo Bore or Corbon 110 gr +P DPX from a snub n gel w/ 4 LD?

Not the HST. I've seen clear gel tests, but not 10% Ordnance Gel that was properly calibrated.

For the Buffalo Bore they load the Barnes 110-grain bullet at basically the same velocity as Barnes. The Barnes load was previously recognized by DocGKR as suitable in expansion and penetration from a 2" snub. In general, it seems to be w consistent 14-18" of penetration in gel with or without 4LD. I would consider this round GTG for snubs, however at 1000fps, it's borderline shootable in Airweight guns. In all steel guns it would likely be acceptable.

[LOBO]

Not the HST. I've seen clear gel tests, but not 10% Ordnance Gel that was properly calibrated.

For the Buffalo Bore they load the Barnes 110-grain bullet at basically the same velocity as Barnes. The Barnes load was previously recognized by DocGKR as suitable in expansion and penetration from a 2" snub. In general, it seems to be w consistent 14-18" of penetration in gel with or without 4LD. I would consider this round GTG for snubs, however at 1000fps, it's borderline shootable in Airweight guns. In all steel guns it would likely be acceptable.

Thanks!! I was loading my 442 & 640 with the HST, then reloads with the 110 gr DPX. Decided to streamline & just went with the 110 gr DPX for carry n reloads.

[03RN]

Any tests (not by Federal) in ballistic gel w/ 4LD of the .38 spl 130 gr HST from a snub? How about Buffalo Bore or Corbon 110 gr +P DPX from a snub n gel w/ 4 LD?

https://www.americanrifleman.org/con...ial-cartridge/