I still ocasionally carry my 2 1/2 in. Mod 19 that I’ve had for 40 years.I’ve been packing the 125 gr. Golden Sabres in it for the last few years simply because being downloads from full magnum,I find them controllable in rapid fire with no “pain” in the K frame gun.
Lately I’ve been considering a hot .38 Special loads for this one,mainly due to the short ejector rod. I find that the.38 cases generally eject farher out,usually all the way with a brisk stroke,than the full length magnum cases do.
I’m considering both the Speer 135gr.+P gold dot load and also the Fed. Hydra Shok 147 gr. +P+. I like heavier bullets. Any recommendations between these two.? Any suggrestions on this appreciated from DocGKR or anyone with info on the performance of either of these loads.
Doc,thanks very much for that info and the attached link. I was leaning toward the Gold Dots anyway. Also,thanks for the fast response to my question as well as all the other great information that you provide.
Recoil with these will certainly not be a problem in this K frame magnum,for sure when it’s occasionally carried as a primary. I think the shorter cases will be easier to fully extract hurriedly and they should provide a fast reload if needed with the jet loaders I use.
Over the years I’ve probably shot thousands of the 'FBI" loads and they were really good for the times. I believe the Remington version uses a little softer lead than the Winchester or Federal examples,so I always tried to iuse it when available for a better chance of more expansion.
Actually I was interested in a jacketed bullet for going this route as the all lead ones can sling a lot of lead all around the forcing cone area,especially making the longer jump from the Mod.19’s longer cylinder. I no longer enjoy the process of excelss lead removal. I have ordered some of the 135+P Gold Dots since DocGKR’s response.I think will be probably what I really want for this particular wheelie. Thanks very much for your suggestion. The old FBI load is still not bad from a four inch gun and is always available as a good standby.
Personally, I like to use the old ‘FBI load’ in 4" barrels, but don’t like the Gold Dot 135 +P in a 4" barrel… I tested the 135 +P in a 3" S&W Model 64, and didn’t even like it there, either…
The 135 grain SB load excels in short barrels, and I prefer it in the 1 7/8" snubbies only… Sorry if I sound real dogmatic on this, but that is how I feel…
I have ordered some of the 135+P Gold Dots since DocGKR’s response.I think will be probably what I really want for this particular wheelie. Thanks very much for your suggestion. The old FBI load is still not bad from a four inch gun and is always available as a good standby.