I was just at the range, shooting some of the COLT 110 grain jhp ammo made and sold by DOUBLE TAP. I had used the DOUBLE TAP ammo before and liked it.
Well, the COLT ammo is reasonably priced and STANDARD PRESSURE, NOT +P. This is important as I want to use it in my S&W model 12 revolver and my 5 shot .38 Special revolvers.
I know that many of these revolvers are supposed to be able to handle +P ammo, but I want an effective standard pressure load for the model 12, which is basically a S&W model 10 with an aluminum alloy frame. S&W recommends against +P for this revolver.
Well, the experience was interesting. Recoil was noticeable. The ammo is louder than most standard pressure loads and has a brighter flash. In my 4 inch model 12, it was like shooting "hot" +P ammo out of a steel framed revolver. The good thing was that model 12 grouped well with this ammo, which COLT claims to be going at 1150 fps from a 4 inch barrel.
Then, I shot the same ammo in one of my favorite range guns, a S&W model 15, with a 4 inch barrel and HOGUE grips. Here, the hot 110 grain ammo recoil felt more like the 158 grain lead round nose. It was pleasant and shot very accurately. With smaller groups than with the model 12.
In my steel frame .38 Special revolvers, I like the FEDERAL HST +P 130 hollowpoint. This jacketed version of a hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards, is an outstanding performer in the many gel tests, that I have seen. The only down side is that the wadcutter profile make for slow reloading, even with a speedloader.
I like the WINCHESTER Train & Defend .38 Special jhp, which is a standard pressure load, that also expands well in the gel tests, but I have had consistent problems with WINCHESTER handgun ammo not firing when primer is hit. Strangely, this does not seem to be a problem with my RUGER'S or in my GLOCK 42.
I am going to try some more of the COLT ammo in my 5 shot .38 Special revolvers and if it continues to do well, it will be my new "small gun" self defense load.
Jim
Well, the COLT ammo is reasonably priced and STANDARD PRESSURE, NOT +P. This is important as I want to use it in my S&W model 12 revolver and my 5 shot .38 Special revolvers.
I know that many of these revolvers are supposed to be able to handle +P ammo, but I want an effective standard pressure load for the model 12, which is basically a S&W model 10 with an aluminum alloy frame. S&W recommends against +P for this revolver.
Well, the experience was interesting. Recoil was noticeable. The ammo is louder than most standard pressure loads and has a brighter flash. In my 4 inch model 12, it was like shooting "hot" +P ammo out of a steel framed revolver. The good thing was that model 12 grouped well with this ammo, which COLT claims to be going at 1150 fps from a 4 inch barrel.
Then, I shot the same ammo in one of my favorite range guns, a S&W model 15, with a 4 inch barrel and HOGUE grips. Here, the hot 110 grain ammo recoil felt more like the 158 grain lead round nose. It was pleasant and shot very accurately. With smaller groups than with the model 12.
In my steel frame .38 Special revolvers, I like the FEDERAL HST +P 130 hollowpoint. This jacketed version of a hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards, is an outstanding performer in the many gel tests, that I have seen. The only down side is that the wadcutter profile make for slow reloading, even with a speedloader.
I like the WINCHESTER Train & Defend .38 Special jhp, which is a standard pressure load, that also expands well in the gel tests, but I have had consistent problems with WINCHESTER handgun ammo not firing when primer is hit. Strangely, this does not seem to be a problem with my RUGER'S or in my GLOCK 42.
I am going to try some more of the COLT ammo in my 5 shot .38 Special revolvers and if it continues to do well, it will be my new "small gun" self defense load.
Jim
