I need your recommendations for S&W Models 60 and 640 .38 snub noses for concealed carry. The wife and I need to get proficient in 7 yd. point and shoot. Thanks.
I second the 158 gr +P LSWCHP. I have also found Federal 110 gr HS to be an accurate load. Silvertips seem accurate also but have a large muzzle flash.
I am real partial towards Federal HydroShock 129 grain JHP. My Model 60 and my Taurus 85CH love them. The Winchester White Box 125 grain stuff is not bad either.
For snubby ammo I suggest the "muzzle up - muzzle down" test. I have found variations of more than 150fps doing this test. The test is to shoot 3 rds with the muzzle down like when you first draw from the holster and 3 rds starting with the muzzle up. Obviously you need a chrono for this test, but you can get an adequate one for less than $100 - small change when compared to the investment people spend on guns and training. Short barrels are very sensitive to powder position with most commercial ammo. In the tests I have done the lighter bullets are much more sensitive to powder position than the heavier ones. I settled on 148gr wadcutters (any major brand) for light weight 38spl revolvers and Remington 158gr semi-jacketed HP for 357 (not recommended for a 357 snubby that weighs less than 20oz).
The best is the 158 gr. lead hollowpoint by Federal or Winchester or Remington. If you want less felt recoil than go with Remington 125 gr. semi-jacketed hollowpoint or Remington Golden Sabre 125 gr. JHP or Federal Classic Hi-Shok 125 gr. JHP or Federal Hydra-Shok 129 gr. JHP. All of these are +P (higher pressure) loads.
You might want to test fire and see what shoots to point of aim. Every barrel is different. I just went through this with a 2 3/4" Ruger Speed Six. 158 gr. and 148 gr. bullet shot to point of aim at 21 feet. 125 gr. bullets hit 1 1/4" low.
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