38 Spl. +P - Range day

[Headhog]

While going thru my ammo stock the other day, I realized I had about 250 rounds of 38 Spl. +P loads sitting and waiting to be used. So today I loaded up the Henry BBS and my S&W 19 and off to the range I went. I set up 8" steel plates at 35 and 45 yds. and a steel silhouette at 15 yds. Hitting the plates at 45 yds was no challenge for the Henry.

The S&W has a great double action trigged so a draw from the holster and 6 rounds on the silhouette. The +P rounds are a little hard on the hand with the small grip on the Smith, but still fun to shoot. After awhile I tried hitting the 35 yd plates with the model 19. Best I could do was 3 hits out of 6.

IMG_1929.jpg (417.16 KiB) Viewed 1127 times

Herny BBS and Smith & Wesson model 19

I still have about 125 rounds left after todays trip.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

Now that is some fun and good shootin' Paul ! What was your load? Very nice Smith too!

[beaverislander]

When you get to a certain age I think getting a Henry to use up your stock of 38's that you accumulated for a j-frame is the logical move to make. I did just that and got rid of a S&W 342PD that only weighed 10.8oz, it was brutal. The Henry is actually fun.... what a change.
Thats interesting checkering on the Henry, what model is it?

[Headhog]

Forty my 38 Spl. +P load is the Missouri Bullet 158 gr. cast with 5.8 gr of Power Pistol. I believe that is very similar to the one you mentioned. I like it very much, but I'm now out of Power Pistol. I like Power Pistol since it burns nice and clean and produces consistent results. Soon as the shortages ease up, I will resurrect this load.

Beaverislander I agree with you. Once you reach that age getting beat up is not fun. The only reason I fired those +P loads in the model 19 was because I forgot my usual load for that gun. I have a bucket of 38 Spl. loaded with 148 gr wad cutters and 2.7 gr. of Bullseye. Now those powder puff loads I can shoot all day out of the 19 and they still make the steel jump.

Paul

[JEBar]

I've never loaded or fired any +P's .... would you rate them as being closer to 38 spl or to 357 mag

[runnin n gunnin]

Don't know how I missed this post Paul, Love the Model 19, I have a 2 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch. The four and six are in a shadow box. Phenomenal wheel guns.

[Headhog]

Don't know how I missed this post Paul, Love the Model 19, I have a 2 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch. The four and six are in a shadow box. Phenomenal wheel guns.

I agree! The Smith 19 is a great gun. Well made, fun to shoot and the shorties can be carried very well. I've had this one for 38 years. I've got a friend who tries to buy it from me every time he comes over. I keep telling him, it ain't going anywhere without me.

Paul

[Headhog]

I've never loaded or fired any +P's .... would you rate them as being closer to 38 spl or to 357 mag

I really can't tell the difference by feel from a full power 38 Spl. Only shows up on the chrono. 357 Mag. on the other hand is clearly a wake up round compared to 38 Spl.

Paul

[JEBar]

I really can't tell the difference by feel from a full power 38 Spl. Only shows up on the chrono. 357 Mag. on the other hand is clearly a wake up round compared to 38 Spl.

Paul

interesting .... understood on the 357 .... I figured the +P would be a step from the 38 but had no clue how big of a step

[Rifletom]

Don't know how I missed this as well. Those are two nice shooters there Paul.