Which Standard Pressure .38 spl in a J-Frame?

[Crash]

I've tried the 158 gr +P LSWCHP in my J-Frame and the recoil was substantial, but not painful. I'm also going to try the Speer 135 gr +P GDHP and the Cor-Bon 110 gr +P DP. I'm not so much concerned about discomfort with these rounds as I am recovery time between shots. Does anyone know of a standard pressure load for the J-Frame that has proven effective in bare gelatin tests and tests where the gelatin was covered with 4 layers of denim?

Crash

[jim]

These folks have a lot of info

http://www.firearmstactical.com/wbr.htm

I'm very old-fashioned, and would probably be shooting a standard velocity 158 gr. LSWC, and since it's a belly gun anyways, be shooting for the beltbuckle or heart.
jim

[Toad_Sticker]

hydra-shock makes a nice low recoil defense load.
I carry it in my Rossi
TS

[kilogulf59]

Howdy All,

A good non +P .38 load is the Nyclad 125 grain JHP and there's still some around. Another option is the WW 110 grain Silvertip JHP's.

In actuality, I never found much of a difference in recoil between standard .38's and +P's assuming the same bullet weight.

Personally, I use the 158 grain LSWCHP +P Remington or WW in my snub.

[Crash]

[quote author=kilogulf59 link=board=fir-

In actuality, I never found much of a difference in recoil between standard .38's and +P's assuming the same bullet weight.

Personally, I use the 158 grain LSWCHP +P Remington or WW in my snub.[/quote]

kilogulf59,

I've fired the Winchester version of this load and the recoil was noticeable, but manageable. It was not in any way painful. And, as a plus, at 7 - 10 yards, it hit at point of aim, which most of the other weight bullets did not. I'm going to try the Remington version, plus the Speer 135 gr +P GDHP the next time I'm at the range. And, if I can find some of the CorBon 110 gr +P DPX, I'm going to try that, too. Also, will probably try the CorBon 110 gr +P PowrBall.

Crash

[kilogulf59]

"I've fired the Winchester version of this load and the recoil was noticeable, but manageable. It was not in any way painful."
Yep Crash, as I said "much of a difference" and greatly depends on gun weight, grip size, and your particular grip on the weapon. I fired standard .38 158 grainers out of one of the then new total titanium Taurus revolvers, at an open house for gun-reps, and no-thank-you. The basic air-weights are light enough especially if you have larger hands.

Colonel Applegate said in KOGK that he thought the "new" light weight revolvers were becoming counter-productive, personally I can agree. BTW, this was back in the 60's so it was just the alloy frame Smith's he was referring to, scandium and titanium handguns weren't thought of yet.

The Remington version usually lists as the faster of the lot with WW and Federal a close second. I think you may have a winner in the Speer 135 load. If I remember right that's the load they developed mainly for snubbies.

Unless something has changed, I believe S&W's .38 revolvers were sighted for 158 grn bullets so you may have a little deviation with the lighter loads. Nothing drastic at close range and certainly that will affect combat accuracy.

Please keep me informed as to how your tests go, I'm always interested.

[Crash]

The Remington version usually lists as the faster of the lot with WW and Federal a close second. I think you may have a winner in the Speer 135 load. If I remember right that's the load they developed mainly for snubbies.

Unless something has changed, I believe S&W's .38 revolvers were sighted for 158 grn bullets so you may have a little deviation with the lighter loads. Nothing drastic at close range and certainly that will affect combat accuracy.

Please keep me informed as to how your tests go, I'm always interested.

kilogulf59,

I fired the Winchester version of the 158gr +P LSWCHP in a S&W 340--the scandium version of the Centennial. It seemed to "torque," or twist the gun to the right, and the recoil was noticeable, but as I stated before, not painful. However, I sold it because I was concerned about lead slugs jumping crimp in it and not being able to fire anything less than a 120 gr slug (per S&W's instructions). I agree with you--I think the scandium framed versions are a step too far.

I'm now shooting the S&W 642, the aluminum (alloy, I assume) framed version of the Centennial. Don't know when I'll have an opportunity to do any more test shooting, but as soon as I do I'll let you know the results.

I have small hands, so I can't go with grips much bigger than the standard ones.

And, you're right: the 135 gr +P GDHP from Speer was developed especially for short-barreled guns.

Cheers,

Crash