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08-31-2018, 06:04 AM
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Airweight Defense Rounds?
What are some good 38 special defense rounds in Standard pressure?
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08-31-2018, 07:04 AM
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For standard pressure/non +P I'd probably look at 148gr. HBWC or 158gr. SWC.
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08-31-2018, 09:34 AM
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The tried and true 148 gr wadcutter target loads are a pleasure to shoot in an airweight and are remarkably effective sd rounds.
They aren’t sexy, don’t have a cool marketing name and don’t cost $1 a round.
They just work as well as the boutique ammo that will bruise your hand.
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08-31-2018, 09:50 AM
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^^^^ What Rpg said Can't add much to that! ^^^^
Last edited by JH1951; 09-01-2018 at 06:13 AM.
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08-31-2018, 11:40 AM
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When we did ammo testing a few years ago, Speer .135 grain Gold Dot is what my agency chose. It was the only .38 round we found that would reliably pass the FBI protocols out of a snubbie.
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08-31-2018, 11:43 AM
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Buffalo Bore 158 gr. semi wad cutter, hollow point
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08-31-2018, 11:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SRG
When we did ammo testing a few years ago, Speer .135 grain Gold Dot is what my agency chose. It was the only .38 round we found that would reliably pass the FBI protocols out of a snubbie.
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Plus P?
Best,
Rick
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08-31-2018, 01:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by riverrat38
Plus P?
Best,
Rick
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They don't make it in standard pressure any longer. So probably yeah. I think the only 3 that meet the FBI specs from a barrel 2" or less is the Cor bon 110 grain DPX all copper plus p load. The 135 grain Gold dot plus p. And now that new Federal HST.
I don't like plus p's in my airweight. I start anticipating bad after like 1 or 2 shots.
Well, I take that back, remington Golden Sabers are OK.. They feel the same to me as the American gunner. So I carry 125 grain Hornady American gunner in the gun. 4 rounds of Golden SAber in my coin pocket when wearing jeans. And 5 rounds of FMJ in my main pocket.
I am avoiding shooting lead cuz I don't want to deal with cleaning it out. Not sure if it'll foul my bore or not. However. If it weren't for that I would have no problem carrying wadcutters in the gun. I would trust them too and they're easy to shoot. Well, easier than some. The American Gunners actually feel almost like a soft plus p to me. So I'd almost RATHER carry wadcutters in the gun.
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08-31-2018, 02:01 PM
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A 158 grain, Kieth design SWC hard cast with powder to standard pressures if you are handloading
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08-31-2018, 02:24 PM
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Back in the day I used to carry a 3" HB model 36 with factory 200 grain RNL; I think they were W-W.
Low recoil and a serious thump on the target; too bad they are no longer available, but another possiblity if you handload.
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08-31-2018, 05:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ABPOS
...I am avoiding shooting lead cuz I don't want to deal with cleaning it out. Not sure if it'll foul my bore or not. However. If it weren't for that I would have no problem carrying wadcutters in the gun. I would trust them too and they're easy to shoot...
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Having shot literally thousands of properly sized standard pressure cast lead bullets from .38s I can say leading is not an issue.
I would carry BB 150 wadcutters or a similar 148 in the gun with BB 158 semis or similar swc or rnfp as reloads. Levi did thoughtfully prove a cartridge pocket, at least for us rightys.
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08-31-2018, 11:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomkinsSP
Having shot literally thousands of properly sized standard pressure cast lead bullets from .38s I can say leading is not an issue.
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We fired thousands of rounds during training and qualifications and our duty rounds were factory, swaged, all lead SWC. Leading wasn't a problem at reasonable velocities. It seems that many of today's shooters have an aversion to anything that isn't jacketed.
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09-01-2018, 12:15 AM
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I'd use a wadcutter. There are some standard pressure hollow points but don't expect much expansion. Ought to use a wadcutter IMHO.
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09-01-2018, 12:39 AM
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With .38spl standard pressure I wouldn't even bother with JHP's in a snub-nose. I second the others who recommend the 148gr. wadcutters but they are not always so easy to find.
Failing that I don't see anything wrong with Winchester White Box or their "Train & Defend" line (both 130gr.) as their bullets have a true flatnose design which is better then a roundnose at causing tissue damage.
A "hardcast" flatnose bullet would be even more preferable but I would avoid anything made by Buffalo Bore even though they say it is "standard pressure" because they always load everything hot. You may have difficulty shooting them and/or they may cause harm to your gun depending on how old it is.
If you decide to load up with the wadcutters keep in mind that their flush fitting bullets make reloading difficult so you will want to carry something else for reloads like one of the ammo I mentioned above.
Last edited by GoodSam; 09-01-2018 at 12:40 AM.
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09-01-2018, 01:09 AM
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Standard....
Standard Remington Golden Saber
Standard Federal HST 130 grain
Winchester 130 gr. Train and Defend
Personally, only for carry, I'd consider carrying +P ammo. A few shots in an S&W airweight isn't going to hurt it. Hopefully, you'd never have to shoot it.
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Last edited by rwsmith; 09-01-2018 at 01:12 AM.
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09-08-2018, 02:36 PM
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i went from 158 semi wadcutters to the winchester 130 grain train n defend round . it is a standard pressure round and did well in the lucky gunner test. it is shooting about 2 inches low at 10 yards from my 85ul.
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09-08-2018, 03:10 PM
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Hornady Critical defense is a good standard pressure 38 load.
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09-08-2018, 04:16 PM
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OP: Please clarify why you're limiting your options to standard pressure; there can be several reasons for this that affect what rounds to recommend. Also, which Airweight are you using?
Overall, for standard pressure defense rounds Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain is the best option, and an excellent option in general.
Second (in every respect): any reputable ammunition manufacturer's 148 grain full wadcutter match load.
Third: nothing really, not in standard pressure. (I love Buffalo Bore products, but we all know what they call standard pressure ain't.)
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