My grandson has some 38Spec. lead safe ammo from Precision Cartridge Inc. and from what I can find on their site it is mainly used for steel plate and indoor range shooting. To me it would not make good self defense ammo. Any thoughts on this. Thanks!

I don't think the first reply understood your question since he talked about LRN which you did not mention. To answer your question, I agree that it is not a good choice for a self-defense round. While it will transfer all energy upon impact, similar to a glaser safety slug, it will not penetrate adequately. LRN (lead round nose) would be a better self-defense round IMHO than a frangible load.

There are companies (DRT for example) that market frangible loads as self-defense ammo, but personally I am not sold. I believe about anything, LRN, FMJ, JHP, SJSP, LSWCHP would all be better defense rounds than frangible. Just my .02

I like to suggest three loads in .38+P. Use what shoots to point of aim. They are Corbon 110 gr. DPX, Speer 135 gr. short barrel, and the FBI load (158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter hollow point) as made by various manufacturers. Most people on this board are partial to Remington's and Buffalo Bore's version of the FBI load.

In standard pressure .38 spl. the Federal 125 gr. Nyclad is the top dog IMO, and 148 gr. target wadcutters as made by various ammo makers are usually the best choice for the recoil sensitive.

There are other good choices in .38, but you really need look no further than those listed above. There is something there that will fit your needs nicely.

The local police dept. here uses frangibles on their indoor range which has plate steel back stops layed in at an angel with a trough below, the side walls are also steel plates. When you get done shooting they just sweep up the range with a push broom.

Appreciate your comments. Thanks.

I have had extensive experience shooting frangible .45 ACP ammo in my 22-4s. A well-known personal defense teaching establishment requires frangible ammo. The CW is that frangible is required to reduce pollution but the real reason is to minimize penetration of shoot house walls.

Generally, the stuff weighs a lot less than regular bullets of the same size. The ammo is also loaded to higher velocities so the semiautos will function. This combination of light bullets at high(er) velocities causes my guns to shoot to a radically different point of impact. This isn't a problem at short ranges but it sure is at 25 yards!

Just a word to the wise.

__________________
Bob.
SWCA 1821