J frame carry ammo

[LBnM]

I tried to move from hammer fired guns to the striker fired ones but recently decided that wasn't me. I went to my safe and pulled out my stash. One of the safe queens was a j frame and I looked at the ammo I had left for it and began a search for new carry ammo. After watching many ballistics videos I ordered some and test fired it yesterday. Previously, my choice was Speer Short barrel but you can't always find it and I'm down to a box and half of it now. I've made my choice and ordered enough this morning to last me. I'm interested.in what the people that carry lightweight J frames carry in them. I shoot a couple of cylinders full each time I shoot my SIGs, about biweekly. What's everyone carrying and do you shoot it or just carry it?

 

[Roy14]

I mainly stick to wad cutters, and prefer underwood. Most of your name brand companies have relatively anemic specs in comparison.

https://underwoodammo.com/38-special-150-grain-lead-wadcutter/

https://underwoodammo.com/38-specia...y-coated-soft-cast-hunting-self-defense-ammo/

 

[1911Sooner]

147 grain wadcutters for me.

 

[Shadowrider]

https://www.georgia-arms.com/38-special-snub-nose-148gr-wadcutter-20pk/

 

[LBnM]

The first one listed is my choice also. Most wadcutters get about 850 fps in a 4 inch bbl. The chronograph reports I saw showed the Underwood Black Cherry load at almost that in a sub 2 inch barrel. The ones I shot yesterday wete head shot accurate out to at least 12 yards and recoil was on par with the Gold Dots I shot.

 

[sanjuro893]

I usually go with the speer GD short barrel 124 gr also. I have a couple older snubs that dont like the +p so I carry and shoot speer lawman standard pressure in those. Ive also liked remington golden saber, and federal personal defense in 120 gr.

 

[Gunbuffer]

Short barrel gold dot

 

[Pstmstr]

I've been carrying short barrel gold dot for years but just listened to a podcast and ordered some wadcutters developed specifically for snubs by Georia Arms. They did extensive testing and determined that most rounds do not expand when fired from a snub but good penetration is a must. The Off Duty On Duty podcast episode 96 for some good discussion about it. Cost me $65 shipped for 40 rounds. Going to H&H sometime next week to see where they hit out of my 340 M&P and 642 if you're around and want to go.

 

[Shadowrider]

Underwood’s wadcutter is good stuff but it’s for 4 legged critters. Way too much recoil in an Airweight snub. Mild target type loads are what you want. I carry the Speer short barrel stuff in a speed strip for a reload after the wadcutters are gone because loading wadcutters is a PITA when the clock is running.

The Speer is a stout load and not fun to shoot in an airweight. They’re fine in a steel gun but probably won’t expand so I don’t see the point. I’ll take wadcutters every time if I have the choice.

 

[bigred1]

@pstmstr look forward to hearing about it because I have a 340 also....loaded with short barrel gold dot.