Best load for 2" barreled .38special revolvers
- Thread starter Moonclip
- Start date
- Status
I carry Gold Dot 125 hollow point in my S&W 642. Doesn't mean it's the best but it is accurate for me.
Speer makes a .38+P 135 grain Gold Dot Hollow Point especially for the short-barrel revolvers. It is widely reputed to be the best SD load for snubbies. Speer part number 23921.
DAdams
Member
Short Barrel Ammo
If your snub will not handle or you don't want to deal with +P loads, get some Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure items 20 C or 20 D. You can run these loads safely in the non plus P .38 SPL revolvers.
Otherwise, Speer Gold Dot for Short Barrel, 135 gr. Plus P.
Caution Caveat: As stated by beemerphile...this is a Plus P round. Make certain your revolver is rated for such accordingingly.
If your snub will not handle or you don't want to deal with +P loads, get some Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure items 20 C or 20 D. You can run these loads safely in the non plus P .38 SPL revolvers.
Otherwise, Speer Gold Dot for Short Barrel, 135 gr. Plus P.
Caution Caveat: As stated by beemerphile...this is a Plus P round. Make certain your revolver is rated for such accordingingly.
Buffalo bore. If you can stomach it, there +P short barrels 20 350 ft-lbs out of a two-incher. Recoil would probably be a beast, though. However, the make non + P 158 grain that does 250 ft-lbs out of a 2" barrel. That's more powerful than a lot of +P rounds.
Lots of good choices out there for ammo today. BUT THE BEST ONE? . . .
The one that shoots dead center, point-of-aim!
Smith once, and probably still, regulated the sights to hit dead on with 158 grain bullets. Thus, the 130 and lower weight bullets would hit low in may snubs.
Mine "likes" Remington 158 gn. LSWC-HP +P and 148 grain wadcutters, so these are the two rounds I choose.
This target was shot into a black, 1" square, at ten yards (standing/unsupported). The POA is what you want!
Bullet placement, is everything!
T.
The one that shoots dead center, point-of-aim!
Smith once, and probably still, regulated the sights to hit dead on with 158 grain bullets. Thus, the 130 and lower weight bullets would hit low in may snubs.
Mine "likes" Remington 158 gn. LSWC-HP +P and 148 grain wadcutters, so these are the two rounds I choose.
This target was shot into a black, 1" square, at ten yards (standing/unsupported). The POA is what you want!
Bullet placement, is everything!
T.
I carry the doubletap 125 +p gold dots in both of my j frames (638 and 36). Ya they kick (especially the 638) but they are hard hitting and very accurate!
- Status