Which would be a better SD load for a S&W 642.

Buffalobore 20C/20 Soft Lead 158gr SWCHC.

Buffalobore 20D/20 Hard Cast 150gr WC

The first is a standard pressure version of the old FBI load.

The second is a flat full wad cutter similar to target loads, but somewhat beefed up performance.

Both are low flash, standard pressure. Both are rated about 850 FPS out of a 2" barrel.

I'm curious about comparing these two loads -- I realize there are many alternatives.

Does anyone know of any tests of the relative effectiveness of full wad cutters vs. semi-wad cutter hollow points?

Dave

Two different stratgies in play.
158 SWC-HP- heavy soft bullet, designed to penetrate and cause tissue damage due to bullet expanding.
150 WC - heavy hard bullet, designed to penetrate and cause tissue damage due to sharp shouldered bullet cutting/chopping it's way through.
Read the description for each load that BB has on their website . I'm undecided which of these two is better, but tend toward the SWC-HP aka "FBI load". Keep in mind that too good a penetration might prove hazardous to anything./anyone beyond the target.
Some people also think a faster lighter JHP is a good (possibly better) choice also. I'm not inclined toward light JHP's, but do I think a soft wadcutter might also be a good choice. Good penetration due to weight with sharp shoulders for tissue damage, plus at least some possibility of expansion -- the best of both worlds.

When a sgt and lt with the NYPD I was assigned to the Firearms & Tactics Section. Among other things I was responsible for Research and Testing.

I carry the Buffalo Bore 150 grain WC in my S&W 642. It's an excellent self-defense load.

Rich

Neither load would be my choice especially when there's plenty of modern JHP's that have a proven street record.

WC bullets are even worse. If they were such great stoppers then everybody would be using such ammo in their 38's. WC bullets are designed as target ammo. Period. Hard Cast bullets are an almost guarantee of over penetration. The only SWCHP load I would consider using is the dead-soft lead loads by Federal or Remington as they have a good street record of working well on humans. JMO.

Pays yo money, takes yo chances.

I would choose the hard cast WC. I carry my own handloaded version
in my Airweight md 37. The danger of overpenetration is grossly
exaggerated in my opinion.

Thank you for confirming what I've long thought.

I've enjoyed the solid wadcutter round in a short barrel for quite a while. My belief is that they are an intelligent choice.

There are so many good, proven controlled expansion, jacketed hollow points available from the major manufacturers that neither of those loads would be my personal choice.

However if those are the two that you like, carry the one that shoots best and do not overly worry about trying to find the magic bullet

Does one of the two shoot better groups in your firearm?

Does one of the two shoot closer to point of aim than the other?

Your personal confidence in how the round/weapon combination shoots is a far more important factor in surviving an incident than the opinions of a few dozen "Internet Experts" on which of those projectiles is superior

A LSCW-HP is designed to expand, if driven to the right velocity. If you're lucky, maybe it'll expand to .45 in diameter. So, IMHO, if that's what you want, then get a M1911. A LSWC-HP might expand, but a 230 grain FMJ will never shrink.

That's a compelling endorsement; why not share the research, testing and rationale that led to your decision?

I think you'll find either of these two fine loads to be serious thumpers out of a 642, perhaps prohibitively so, but between them the FBI has the overwhelming test and real-world numbers to recommend it.

I don't think you have to worry about over penetration with a .38 load.

Interesting. Plenty of tests with loads that either don't or fail to expand indicate otherwise, penetrating ballistic gel 18 inches and more. How did you reach your conclusion?

I use the BB 150 HC WC in my 2" 38's. Very accurate. Shot placement is the key.

Either load will work just fine. Heavy layers of clothing worn during winter can influence penetration and expansion of certain bullet types, especially some HPs. For that reason alone, I would favor solid WC or SWC in colder climates during winter.