.38 Special ammo--range report

[frayluisfan]

Hi, guys.

As an unreformed tinkerer and redneck, I never grew out of the delight I felt as a child in blowing things up. :-) In that spirit, I bring you the following.

Every wonder whether that +P ammo actually expands from your .38 snubby? I took my S&W 642 out to the range recently with two samples: Federal 129gr. Hydra Shok +P, and Speer 135 gr Gold Dot +P. I fired each one into a line of four milk jugs filled with water. At the back of #4 was a stack of newspaper, duct taped together to keep it solidly in place--this was in case any bullets escaped all four jugs.

Results:
1. Federal: decent damage to milk jug #1, passed on through #2, and also #3. Impacted the back of #3 hard enough to make a tiny hole, but not quite enough to penetrate into #4. Expansion is classic mushroom (photos 1+2).


2. Speer: very good damage to #1, through 2 and 3, stopped in 4. There was a small hole in the back of 4, and the newspaper barrier was knocked over decisively, but the bullet stayed in 4. Broad mushrooming of the bullet. I also would say the kick of the Speer load was a bit more than the Federal--at least, to my hand it felt that way. (photos 3+4)

Overall, the Federal expanded just a bit more, but the Speer had a bit more oomph and penetrated a bit more. I'd be happy with either one out of my snubbie.

Thanks for reading!

frayluisfan

 

[Wheel Gun]

Great review. I think I have those HydraShoks in my 442 right now. Thanks for doing this.

 

[1911master]

Good report. Hard to go wrong with either load, IMO.

 

[swampratt]

Now that is too much fun.
Nice to see someone doing experiments on projectiles. I have been saving milk jugs for this same purpose but with some rifle rounds.

Have you done any rifle rounds and if so how many milk jugs?
Keep those expanded rounds and make a flower from it.. just attach a piece of copper wire to the base of the bullet by drilling a hole in the base and then insert the 4" long piece of wire then bend the round so the petals face you.

make a few and stick into a small pot so it looks like a flower arrangement.

 

[surjimmy]

Nice report.

 

[ldp4570]

Now find some .38spl 158grLSWHP+P and see what those do out of your snubby. Remington and Winchester still produce these. They are some of the best loads ever produced for the .38 Special revolvers. They may be old technology but they work.

P.S. Get yourself a copy of "The Snubby Revolver" by Ed Lovette. For anyone who carries the snub nose revolver this is the best comprehensive book written about its use for (ECQ) Extreme Close Quarter, Backup, and Concealed Carry Standard.

 

[druryj]

Yep, I agree. Well written. Makes me wanna go shoot my snubbie now!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Eagle Eye]

Fantastic review! Thanks for sharing!

 

[surjimmy]

Take a look at Liberty Ammunition, lead free. Know nothing about it, but maybe worth checking out.

 

[dennishoddy]

Good review on the +P ammo.

I had a 2" snubbie at one time. Not rated for +p ammo. My penetration test is with .55 gallon trash barrels that are used for burn barrels. The .38 ammo I used only dented the barrel at 7 yds. No penetration.

For comparison, a .22 bulk federal rimfire will penetrate one side and severely dent the other side, sometimes passing through. .22 Mag from a 3" barrel will penetrate two drums and stop at the back side of the second drum.

For the record, I've never shot the +P ammo, as the gun isn't designed to handle it.