38 Snub Ammo Tests: Corbon vs Speer vs Remington

Stephen A. Camp · May 25th, 2006, 06:55 PM

Hello. I was able to do some informal tests comparing the "old technology" 158-gr. LSWCHP +P to Corbon's 110-gr. DPX +P as well as Speer's 135-gr. GDHP +P.

Accuracy testing was done at 10 yards. All firing was done with my usual "24/7 gun", a well-used S&W Model 642.

The worst group shot was with Remington's 158-gr. LSWCHP +P. The fact that it was the worst could also be because it was first! Frankly, all three loads grouped very well and I believe that at this range they were all probably capable of much, much tighter groups than I shot.

The best group of the day was fired with Speer's 135-gr. GDHP +P.

Average velocities were based on 10 shots fired 10' from the chronograph screens. Here are the results:

Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 1164 ft/sec

Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 921 ft/sec

Rem 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 844 ft/sec

Fired into super-saturated newsprint which had soaked for 24 hours and been drained 30 minutes before shooting, the following penetration depths were recorded. Each is the average penetration based on 5 shots.

Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 8"

Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 7 1/2"

Remington 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 8 1/2"

All expanded consistently and there was very little difference in penetration depths shot-to-shot with each load.

For those interested in a more detailed report, follow the link below:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/3...mmo%20Test.htm

Best.

BlueLion · May 25th, 2006, 07:22 PM

Camp, I tell ya those little snubs are just so easy to carry. I am thinking about making my 637 my always gun. Thanks for the report. I carry the 125grain Speers will get the 135's soon.

TonyW · May 25th, 2006, 07:42 PM

Thank you for the info, all the loads seemed to perform very well. Personally I use the Speer for my SP-101 but that's just personal preference.

P95Carry · May 25th, 2006, 08:13 PM

Steve - thanks once more for some great info.

As you note - expansion pretty good thru whole test range but have to say if I could get them, the Rem LSWHP's would appeal - most I guess because from days of old have always been into 158's!

Just thought out of interest I'd compare ME figures - so we get based on your chrono results -

Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 1164 ft/sec - 331 ft lbs ME

Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 921 ft/sec - 254 ft lbs ME

Rem 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 844 ft/sec - 250 ft lbs ME

Interesting the CorBon comes out so far ahead! That was what I usually stoked my SP-101 with.

Stephen A. Camp · May 25th, 2006, 10:33 PM

Hello. Yes, it wouldn't bother me to carry any of these three.

Best.

frankmako · May 25th, 2006, 11:48 PM

10 yards??? i carry a s&w model 60 with hydro-shock +p+ as backup on duty, and as off duty/ 24/7. i hope i do not need to shoot anybody at 10 yards. i know that it will be closer than ten yards, point and shoot that is the real game. (been there and done that). my s&w groups good at point plank.

Stephen A. Camp · May 26th, 2006, 03:18 AM

I reckon "arm's length" might be a more realistic distance for us private citizens. The attempt was to see if the load was acceptably accurate, ie: not wild and all over the paper...as has happened with some loads tried in various snubs. Ten yards may very well be ten times the distance most of us will ever need to shoot...if ever, but if a handgun/cartridge combination is more than accurate enough at that "extended" distance, it shouldn't give any bad surprises closer.

I agree that close-in, fast and furious, is the usual deal...until it isn't. I just like to know if a load is capable of going where I want it whether at near contact distances to out a little.

ExSoldier · May 26th, 2006, 08:46 AM

In a 38 snubbie I dislike shooting +P loads. Guess that's why I no longer own one. But believe it or not, the best performing ammo for the 38 snub is no longer being made. It was the Federal NYCLAD hollow point round and it was originally marketed for being clean to use. By happenstance it generated nearly full expansion at standard chamber pressures. Dunno why it was discontinued.

srfl · May 26th, 2006, 09:19 AM

Great review...thanks Mr. C.

CopperKnight · May 26th, 2006, 09:54 AM

Good review. And danged nice group with the Speer. Good shooting.

May 25th, 2006, 06:55 PM	#1
Stephen A. Camp Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 417	38 Snub Ammo Tests: Corbon vs Speer vs Remington Hello. I was able to do some informal tests comparing the "old technology" 158-gr. LSWCHP +P to Corbon's 110-gr. DPX +P as well as Speer's 135-gr. GDHP +P. Accuracy testing was done at 10 yards. All firing was done with my usual "24/7 gun", a well-used S&W Model 642. The worst group shot was with Remington's 158-gr. LSWCHP +P. The fact that it was the worst could also be because it was first! Frankly, all three loads grouped very well and I believe that at this range they were all probably capable of much, much tighter groups than I shot. The best group of the day was fired with Speer's 135-gr. GDHP +P. Average velocities were based on 10 shots fired 10' from the chronograph screens. Here are the results: Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 1164 ft/sec Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 921 ft/sec Rem 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 844 ft/sec Fired into super-saturated newsprint which had soaked for 24 hours and been drained 30 minutes before shooting, the following penetration depths were recorded. Each is the average penetration based on 5 shots. Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 8" Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 7 1/2" Remington 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 8 1/2" All expanded consistently and there was very little difference in penetration depths shot-to-shot with each load. For those interested in a more detailed report, follow the link below: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/3...mmo%20Test.htm Best. __________________ Drop by www.hipowersandhandguns.com and http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/

May 25th, 2006, 07:22 PM	#2
BlueLion Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: It Changes... Posts: 823	Camp, I tell ya those little snubs are just so easy to carry. I am thinking about making my 637 my always gun. Thanks for the report. I carry the 125grain Speers will get the 135's soon. __________________ Listen, Think and React.....Nuff Said.....

May 25th, 2006, 07:42 PM	#3
TonyW Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 680	Thank you for the info, all the loads seemed to perform very well. Personally I use the Speer for my SP-101 but that's just personal preference. __________________ There can be no proper relationship between one who is armed and one who is not; nor is it reasonable to expect that one who is armed will voluntarily obey one who is not, or that the latter will feel secure among servants who are armed. The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli

May 25th, 2006, 08:13 PM	#4
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Steve - thanks once more for some great info. As you note - expansion pretty good thru whole test range but have to say if I could get them, the Rem LSWHP's would appeal - most I guess because from days of old have always been into 158's! Just thought out of interest I'd compare ME figures - so we get based on your chrono results - Corbon 110-gr. DPX +P: 1164 ft/sec - 331 ft lbs ME Speer 135-gr. GDHP +P: 921 ft/sec - 254 ft lbs ME Rem 158-gr. LSWCHP +P: 844 ft/sec - 250 ft lbs ME Interesting the CorBon comes out so far ahead! That was what I usually stoked my SP-101 with. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

May 25th, 2006, 10:33 PM	#5
Stephen A. Camp Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 417	Hello. Yes, it wouldn't bother me to carry any of these three. Best. __________________ Drop by www.hipowersandhandguns.com and http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/

May 25th, 2006, 11:48 PM	#6
frankmako Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,890	10 yards??? i carry a s&w model 60 with hydro-shock +p+ as backup on duty, and as off duty/ 24/7. i hope i do not need to shoot anybody at 10 yards. i know that it will be closer than ten yards, point and shoot that is the real game. (been there and done that). my s&w groups good at point plank.

May 26th, 2006, 03:18 AM	#7
Stephen A. Camp Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 417	I reckon "arm's length" might be a more realistic distance for us private citizens. The attempt was to see if the load was acceptably accurate, ie: not wild and all over the paper...as has happened with some loads tried in various snubs. Ten yards may very well be ten times the distance most of us will ever need to shoot...if ever, but if a handgun/cartridge combination is more than accurate enough at that "extended" distance, it shouldn't give any bad surprises closer. I agree that close-in, fast and furious, is the usual deal...until it isn't. I just like to know if a load is capable of going where I want it whether at near contact distances to out a little. __________________ Drop by www.hipowersandhandguns.com and http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/

May 26th, 2006, 08:46 AM	#8
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,209	In a 38 snubbie I dislike shooting +P loads. Guess that's why I no longer own one. But believe it or not, the best performing ammo for the 38 snub is no longer being made. It was the Federal NYCLAD hollow point round and it was originally marketed for being clean to use. By happenstance it generated nearly full expansion at standard chamber pressures. Dunno why it was discontinued. __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

May 26th, 2006, 09:19 AM	#9
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,432	Great review...thanks Mr. C. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

May 26th, 2006, 09:54 AM	#10
CopperKnight Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane area, WA Posts: 4,693	Good review. And danged nice group with the Speer. Good shooting. __________________ Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, but that you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. The only thing that stops bad guys with guns is good guys with guns. SgtD

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