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Thread: Best .38 Ammo out of a 3-inch .38 revolver

  1. #1

    Best .38 Ammo out of a 3-inch .38 revolver

    I’ve read that the FBI load doesn’t do well with heavy clothing and I live in the northeast, so that make it a seasonal load at best. Any other suggestions?

  2. #2
    Site Supporter Totem Polar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by APPDMike View Post
    I’ve read that the FBI load doesn’t do well with heavy clothing and I live in the northeast, so that make it a seasonal load at best. Any other suggestions?
    At 3 inches, options open up (no pun intended). I’d just grab some gold dot 135 +P or Winchester Ranger RA38B 130gr +P and call it a day. There are other boutique options (buffalo bore, underwood) that will do in a pinch, but the loads coming off of Doc Roberts’ list perform well enough—especially going from 1 7/8” to a true 3”—that I wouldn’t look anywhere else with 3”-4” tubes unless recoil mitigation was a real concern. I only omit the 110 dpx loads because I’ve found that 110 doesn’t play well with the sights on pretty much all my .38/.357 revolvers. JMO.
    ”But in the end all of these ideas just manufacture new criminals when the problem isn't a lack of criminals.” -JRB

  3. #3
    Site Supporter Norville's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Totem Polar View Post
    At 3 inches, options open up (no pun intended). I’d just grab some gold dot 135 +P or Winchester Ranger RA38B 130gr +P and call it a day. There are other boutique options (buffalo bore, underwood) that will do in a pinch, but the loads coming off of Doc Roberts’ list perform well enough—especially going from 1 7/8” to a true 3”—that I wouldn’t look anywhere else with 3”-4” tubes unless recoil mitigation was a real concern. I only omit the 110 dpx loads because I’ve found that 110 doesn’t play well with the sights on pretty much all my .38/.357 revolvers. JMO.
    That sums it up pretty well!

  4. #4
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    My experience is that if you have an older Colt or S&W, lighter-than-158-grain ammo hits far enough below point of aim at five yards and farther to matter. If it’s a fixed-sight gun you can always take it to the range with a flat file and shorten the front sight as needed. I’m thinking about doing that with my 3” M10. Then again, I live in the Deep South so heavy clothing isn’t an issue.

  5. #5
    The R in F.A.R.T RevolverRob's Avatar
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    I've found the 135-grain +P Short Barrel is the best compromise of terminal performance and shoot ability for 2-3" guns.

    It may shoot low for you as Revchuck mentioned - so check it and see.

    I also still have a lot of 158-grain LHP and I use it in my revolvers during summer. If that's what hit to my sights and I didn't want to adjust them, I'd keep trucking with it.

  6. #6
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
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    That 130gr Winchester+p is in my wife's 2" m15. Everytime I shoot something with it it opens up beautifuly.

    My 2&3" guns are loaded with my 147gr HST load at 930fps. I might switch my wife's gun over to them but it's just kinda an afterthought in her nightstand.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 03RN View Post
    My 2&3" guns are loaded with my 147gr HST load at 930fps. I might switch my wife's gun over to them but it's just kinda an afterthought in her nightstand.
    I am very disappointed that they aren’t going at least 1200 fps!

    930 is like P365 velocity.

  8. #8
    The Nostomaniac 03RN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JCN View Post
    I am very disappointed that they aren’t going at least 1200 fps!

    930 is like P365 velocity.
    I really wanted a little more speed but with the powders I have I just gave up.

    I get 1275 from my 4" m65 so there's that.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by RevolverRob View Post
    I've found the 135-grain +P Short Barrel is the best compromise of terminal performance and shoot ability for 2-3" guns.

    It may shoot low for you as Revchuck mentioned - so check it and see.

    I also still have a lot of 158-grain LHP and I use it in my revolvers during summer. If that's what hit to my sights and I didn't want to adjust them, I'd keep trucking with it.
    The Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P Short Barrel shoots POI and groups tightly in my S&W M65 3" Works well in my King Cobra 3" as well. Recoil is very manageable.

  10. #10
    Vending Machine Operator
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    Quote Originally Posted by Totem Polar View Post
    At 3 inches, options open up (no pun intended). I’d just grab some gold dot 135 +P or Winchester Ranger RA38B 130gr +P and call it a day. There are other boutique options (buffalo bore, underwood) that will do in a pinch, but the loads coming off of Doc Roberts’ list perform well enough—especially going from 1 7/8” to a true 3”—that I wouldn’t look anywhere else with 3”-4” tubes unless recoil mitigation was a real concern. I only omit the 110 dpx loads because I’ve found that 110 doesn’t play well with the sights on pretty much all my .38/.357 revolvers. JMO.
    Couldn't agree more, that Gold Dot load and that Ranger load are the .38 +Ps I keep in stock.

    I need to do a real deep dive of research on how safe it is to keep a cylinder of them in my 1968 Colt D-Frame and 1961 Model 36. I have a box of Norma Safeguard standard pressure but my confidence is basically 0% that load isn't just an FMJ.
    State Government Attorney | Beretta, Glock, CZ & S&W Fan

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