.38 + Winchester 130 gr. SXT
- Thread starter tlhelmer
- Start date
38 spl + p sxt
Tried this in a chiefs special and a mod 64 3"
well can't find the chrono results, but in various medium (water jugs, drywall , etc. Well lets just say I like the X38S8HP which is the 125 gr +p STHP better. Another is the X38SPD ( +p 158 gr LSWCHP).
Lady friend uses the standard pressure STHP, and do know the 148 gr lead wad cutter (match load) will put down a rabid dog weighing 60 # out of a snub. shot placement the key, 7 yds, neck shot.
Tried this in a chiefs special and a mod 64 3"
well can't find the chrono results, but in various medium (water jugs, drywall , etc. Well lets just say I like the X38S8HP which is the 125 gr +p STHP better. Another is the X38SPD ( +p 158 gr LSWCHP).
Lady friend uses the standard pressure STHP, and do know the 148 gr lead wad cutter (match load) will put down a rabid dog weighing 60 # out of a snub. shot placement the key, 7 yds, neck shot.
Dave Williams
New member
Hi there,
DocGKR, an ammunition expert over at tacticalforums, gave this round his endorsement out of a 2" barrel, no longer. That carries weight with me. The thread is "Best load for .38 snubby?" in the Ground Zero forum.
Dave
DocGKR, an ammunition expert over at tacticalforums, gave this round his endorsement out of a 2" barrel, no longer. That carries weight with me. The thread is "Best load for .38 snubby?" in the Ground Zero forum.
Dave
I've used this round, but my preferred round for short barrels is either the 158gr LHP +P, or the previously offered Winchester 147gr JHP +P. This latter load was supposed to be the only JHP load tested out of short barrels in a major state agency gelatin test that actually expanded and penetrated as well as the LHP. Naturally, it was discontinued.
The major brand middle weight rounds have all generally seemed to perform well in gelatin tests published. It's just that I personally prefer the added weight to aid in penetration, since the velocities obtained in short barrels are prone to be on the lower end of the spectrum.
My desires for penetration, however, are strongly influenced by my L/E experience and training, and the shooting situations that might be encountered in that context ... and might, or might not, be anything that would be desired by civilians in strictly personal defense situations. This is a personal choice.
If they stopped making the LHP +P ammunition tomorrow, though, I'd switch back to the middle weight rounds and continue to practice, practice, practice ... For a long while I carried both the standard Nyclad 125gr loads, and the +P loads, and was pleased with the accuracy ... I also liked the Nyclad version of the LHP +P. It seems I have this thing for ammunition that's destined to be discontinued ...
The major brand middle weight rounds have all generally seemed to perform well in gelatin tests published. It's just that I personally prefer the added weight to aid in penetration, since the velocities obtained in short barrels are prone to be on the lower end of the spectrum.
My desires for penetration, however, are strongly influenced by my L/E experience and training, and the shooting situations that might be encountered in that context ... and might, or might not, be anything that would be desired by civilians in strictly personal defense situations. This is a personal choice.
If they stopped making the LHP +P ammunition tomorrow, though, I'd switch back to the middle weight rounds and continue to practice, practice, practice ... For a long while I carried both the standard Nyclad 125gr loads, and the +P loads, and was pleased with the accuracy ... I also liked the Nyclad version of the LHP +P. It seems I have this thing for ammunition that's destined to be discontinued ...
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Kentucky Rifle
New member
Does this "SXT" come in non +P too? I know a post said it was a little "weaker" than "real +P", but my old blue steel 36 says NON +P rated. I'm emotionally attached to this pistol, and I don't want to hurt it. (NO wise cracks, please.) I like the nickel cases of the Winchester SXT.
KR
KR
Unfortunately, it doesn't come in non+P.
However, you have some other choices in non+P Winchester ammunition. They offer a Super-X Silver Tip 110gr hollow point, although I've always felt that was just a bit light for my taste. On the other hand, it's not that much lighter than the Federal Nyclad standard pressure Chief's Load 125gr HP, which reportedly performed fine in the 2" snubbies for which it was renamed.
In the newer USA line Winchester lists a 125gr JHP & a 125gr JSP for practice. The odd thing is that the JHP is rated at exactly the same velocity (945fps) out of a 4" Vented test barrel as their 125gr +P JHP and their 125gr Silver Tip +P. The Symbol number is USA38JSP, so you might want to check it out at a local store and see if the catalog forgot to list the +P rating. The USA38SP is a standard pressure 125gr JSP, and it's rated for much less velocity (850fps), which makes me wonder if the catalog data for the JHP is simply lacking the +P rating??
These figures will give you a headache. Personally, in my older 649 Bodyguard, I always practiced with standard pressure ammunition, and carried the +P version of the same load. Occasionally, I'd fire some +P through it just to cycle the older carry rounds out. The steel J-frames didn't seem to mind some occasional +P. The +P pressures of the major manufacturers weren't all that much above and beyond standard SAAMI specs. I knew people restricted to S&W model 60's for off duty, and restricted to state contract 110gr +P+ ammunition, back when S&W wouldn't tell the public whether they would warranty the 60 for +P use. I'm sure it accelerated the wear & tear on the 60's, though ...
The 130gr SXT round is actually rated at a slightly lower velocity than the 125gr Silver Tip +P ... 925fps vs 945fps ... both out of 4" Vented test barrels, if it interests you ... but the SXT design has been advertised as having been tweaked by Winchester to perform at lower velocities. It's a better bullet ... but I'd want to see results that define what that means out of my 2" ...
Since the LHP +P has established a fairly consistent performance record out of 2" barrels, and generally shoots to point of aim in most snubnose revolvers, that's my preferred round for carry. But, we now have access online to a lot of test results for a lot of the newer ammunition, so you ought to be able select something that gives you confidence in your cherished 36 ... Just limit your practice to standard pressure ammunition, and it wouldn't hurt to have an armorer or gunsmith give it a quick inspection every few years.
Of course, you could always retire your little 36 to the safe, to be brought out for special occasions, and replace it with a 642-1. That little aluminum J-frame is rated for a lifetime of +P use, isn't restricted to any particular bullet type, and is really convenient for pocket carry. I retired my 649 that way, but still take it out once in a while. There's just a great selection of J-frames to choose from nowadays ...
However, you have some other choices in non+P Winchester ammunition. They offer a Super-X Silver Tip 110gr hollow point, although I've always felt that was just a bit light for my taste. On the other hand, it's not that much lighter than the Federal Nyclad standard pressure Chief's Load 125gr HP, which reportedly performed fine in the 2" snubbies for which it was renamed.
In the newer USA line Winchester lists a 125gr JHP & a 125gr JSP for practice. The odd thing is that the JHP is rated at exactly the same velocity (945fps) out of a 4" Vented test barrel as their 125gr +P JHP and their 125gr Silver Tip +P. The Symbol number is USA38JSP, so you might want to check it out at a local store and see if the catalog forgot to list the +P rating. The USA38SP is a standard pressure 125gr JSP, and it's rated for much less velocity (850fps), which makes me wonder if the catalog data for the JHP is simply lacking the +P rating??
These figures will give you a headache. Personally, in my older 649 Bodyguard, I always practiced with standard pressure ammunition, and carried the +P version of the same load. Occasionally, I'd fire some +P through it just to cycle the older carry rounds out. The steel J-frames didn't seem to mind some occasional +P. The +P pressures of the major manufacturers weren't all that much above and beyond standard SAAMI specs. I knew people restricted to S&W model 60's for off duty, and restricted to state contract 110gr +P+ ammunition, back when S&W wouldn't tell the public whether they would warranty the 60 for +P use. I'm sure it accelerated the wear & tear on the 60's, though ...
The 130gr SXT round is actually rated at a slightly lower velocity than the 125gr Silver Tip +P ... 925fps vs 945fps ... both out of 4" Vented test barrels, if it interests you ... but the SXT design has been advertised as having been tweaked by Winchester to perform at lower velocities. It's a better bullet ... but I'd want to see results that define what that means out of my 2" ...
Since the LHP +P has established a fairly consistent performance record out of 2" barrels, and generally shoots to point of aim in most snubnose revolvers, that's my preferred round for carry. But, we now have access online to a lot of test results for a lot of the newer ammunition, so you ought to be able select something that gives you confidence in your cherished 36 ... Just limit your practice to standard pressure ammunition, and it wouldn't hurt to have an armorer or gunsmith give it a quick inspection every few years.
Of course, you could always retire your little 36 to the safe, to be brought out for special occasions, and replace it with a 642-1. That little aluminum J-frame is rated for a lifetime of +P use, isn't restricted to any particular bullet type, and is really convenient for pocket carry. I retired my 649 that way, but still take it out once in a while. There's just a great selection of J-frames to choose from nowadays ...
Kentucky Rifle
New member
No, I won't "retire her to the safe"...
I like the way she looks now that I've rubbed her down with a "Rig-Rag". I've asked my shop owner to order me some non +P Silvertip HP's to try out.
My wife wants to shoot non +P's from her Taurus Total Ti snub for a while longer too.
KR
I like the way she looks now that I've rubbed her down with a "Rig-Rag". I've asked my shop owner to order me some non +P Silvertip HP's to try out.
My wife wants to shoot non +P's from her Taurus Total Ti snub for a while longer too.
KR
Okay, Okay ... I was NOT trying to insult the little lady (your 36
), honest ...
You'll enjoy the soft shooting 110gr Silver Tips, although out past 7 yards you'll notice they tend to shoot somewhat low, due to their weight ... and, of course, because of the soft lead & aluminum jacket, they've earned a bit of a reputation for less penetration than some other JHP's ...
), honest ...You'll enjoy the soft shooting 110gr Silver Tips, although out past 7 yards you'll notice they tend to shoot somewhat low, due to their weight ... and, of course, because of the soft lead & aluminum jacket, they've earned a bit of a reputation for less penetration than some other JHP's ...
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Fastbolt...
No offense taken!
The only Silvertips I've looked at up close are .32ACP and do seem to have a "washed aluminum" look to them. However, I've seen some Silvertips (in larger calibers) that are quite shiny in appearance. What's the difference? Or is it just an optical illusion?
KR
No offense taken!
The only Silvertips I've looked at up close are .32ACP and do seem to have a "washed aluminum" look to them. However, I've seen some Silvertips (in larger calibers) that are quite shiny in appearance. What's the difference? Or is it just an optical illusion?
KR
tlhelmer,
Considering that 881fps out of a 3" barreled CS9 resulted in the new Ranger T Series 147gr load penetrating 14.25" and expanding to .47" in the difficult 4-layer denim gelatin test, I'd suspect Winchester would probably be able to get their 130gr revolver SXT bullet to perform at this lower velocity.
Kentucky Rifle,
You have a keen eye. Winchester determined that some calibers would perform as desired with the soft aluminum jacketing, and then some would need heavier jacketing, to better control the deformation and expansion. They nickel plated these to give them the distinctive "Silver Tip" appearance.
Considering that 881fps out of a 3" barreled CS9 resulted in the new Ranger T Series 147gr load penetrating 14.25" and expanding to .47" in the difficult 4-layer denim gelatin test, I'd suspect Winchester would probably be able to get their 130gr revolver SXT bullet to perform at this lower velocity.
Kentucky Rifle,
You have a keen eye. Winchester determined that some calibers would perform as desired with the soft aluminum jacketing, and then some would need heavier jacketing, to better control the deformation and expansion. They nickel plated these to give them the distinctive "Silver Tip" appearance.
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Fastbolt...
I knew it! I LIKE the way the nickel plated Silvertips look.
KR
I knew it! I LIKE the way the nickel plated Silvertips look.
KR