Ideal loads for Smith 36 J-frame

[rojocorsa]

I don't have in-depth knowledge about revolvers.

Now, I heard that with a classic no dash Model 36, that one should not use +P ammo. I heard it on random parts of the internet, so I'm not sure how truthful that all is.

So I'd like to get a clarification. What ammo is best for that weapon for a) normal shooting/practice and b) protection?

Thank you.



ETA: I found a bunch of old .38 ammo that appears to be military M41 ball, with a funny looking jacketed round nose bullet. (I had never seen that for revolver ammo before). Would this be OK to blast through at the range, or is it corrosive?

[T2C]

A steady diet of +P ammunition will stretch the frame on an old J-Frame. You can fire a few rounds to see where they hit and practice with standard velocity ammunition. I carried Federal Ny-Clad ammunition years ago, but I don't know if it is still available. I am not a big fan of the Win. Silver Tip.

When I owned a Model 36, they way I saw it was that my life was worth wrecking the revolver if I had to use it to defend myself.

Check the head stamp on the military ammunition. If it is military issue, I will bet it's 130g FMJ. The U.S. Military hasn't issued handgun ammunition with corrosive primers for at least 50 years.

A lot of military issue ammunition produced during WWII was corrosive, but not much corrosive ammunition has been produced since then.

[rojocorsa]

So +P is OK to shoot sparingly, and obviously for defense. With that being said, what loads should I look at?

The headstamp for all that ammo I was talking about is mostly RA and year (I think that means Remington Arms), and there is a lot of WCC and year. The WCC stuff is from the early to mid 60s and very clean looking; still looks new. Some of these are from the 50s as well.

[T2C]

I would carry the Ny-Clad if I still owned an older alloy J-Frame. I have put down a few coyote and deer with the round fired out of my J-Frame and almost all of them opened up nicely. The Winchester Silver Tips never opened up.

http://www.federalpremium.com/produc...un.aspx?id=828

[Shao]

I've got an aluminum frame 638 that I won't shoot +P or even heavy bullets from. I keep it loaded with 115gr Hydrashoks. I don't care if it is rated for +P. I don't trust it. I remember reading an old gun mag article about blown up airweights when I was a kid.

[Henchman]

Even in +P rated J frames I prefer stand pressure for practice.

[rojocorsa]

I have done a little more research around the web, and I learned of a load called the FBI load which is a +P 158gr LSWCHP and that some people favor those in their snubbies because the soft lead will definitely expand.

I think that I may be worrying too much about overpressure due to my lack of inexperience with wheelguns and snubbies in particular. I don't want this thing to blow up after 50 rounds.

I guess when in doubt it makes sense to go for that Nyclad, but I want to learn about the other options as well. I see that Speer makes a Gold Dot for short barrels as well.

[T2C]

I have done a little more research around the web, and I learned of a load called the FBI load which is a +P 158gr LSWCHP and that some people favor those in their snubbies because the soft lead will definitely expand.

I carried the FBI load for years, because urban legend said it always expanded. A few years ago I had the opportunity to shoot the FBI load out of my J-Frame into ballistic gelatin. None of the projectiles expanded. We fired the Speer 135g GDHP and it expanded every time. The GDHP is what I carry in my current J-Frame, but it is rated for +P ammunition.

[rojocorsa]

Interesting. Alright.

I already like the Gold Dots, and that just affirms it.

I can't wait to shoot this gun, as I never have shot anything like it. I'll get some pics when I can.

[CAVDOC]

Standard pressure loads for practice, I prefer lead ( cheaper and in revolver usually more accurate) 158 Lrn or 148 wadcutters . While it would not be a first choice it is not unheard of to carry the wadcutters also.
With plus p in any revolver the general rule I see most people follow is buy a box of whatever carry load you will use ( do not have to be nearly as fussy as you do with autos ) shoot 15 to know where they go in relation to poa then carry them. Depending on how you feel about it once a year for me- shoot those in the gun and remainder of the box. 50 plus p a year in a steel frame gun like the 36 will have it worn out in about 100 years