.38 SPECIAL DEFENSIVE LOADS

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Edknn123

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I have been looking to buy some extra .38's just as a SHTF stash. I have an ample supply of Gold Dots on hand for carry but was looking at a cheaper alternative to store for a just in case scenario. Has anybody used
Remington High Terminal Performance .38 Special 125 Grain +P Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo or Remington UMC .38 Special 125 Grain +P Semi Jacketed Hollow Point L38S2 ? I have a 2 inch and 3 inch J frame and was wondering if either would expand properly. These loads are priced half way between FMJ's and the Gold Dot price and since I already have my daily carry load, they might never be used, hopefully. I have read the the UMC act basically as an over priced FMJ with no expansion. I guess I just wondered what your opinions were, go with the cheaper hollow points or just buy FMJ's for my stash?
 
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The standard ammo, not top fps stuff, might not expand as well as the top dollar bullets. You will have to test it out but if you just need some backup ammo that a lot have used........

Winchester, Federal and Remington is a good place to start.
Lots of "Other" ammo out there but I have not tested them.

Can't help out any more since you did not mention the length of barrel on the weapon the ammo will be used out of.

Good shopping.
 
I recently acquired my first .38 spl. I've never fired this caliber and revolver before.
I decided on a S&W 638 for concealed carry.
Snubby.jpg

While at the gun store I included a brick (250 rnds.) of Blazer Brass 125 gr. FMJ for $95. Figured this ammo was good enough to start training with the new snubby.
My goal is to be able to quickly stop an assailant at close quarters...less than 10 ft.
I now want to get some JHP's in .38 spl. and .38 spl.+P to include in my stash for that revolver.

Which brands have good expansion?
Recommendations?
 
Last edited:
Nevada Ed said:
The standard ammo, not top fps stuff, might not expand as well as the top dollar bullets. You will have to test it out but if you just need some backup ammo that a lot have used........

Winchester, Federal and Remington is a good place to start.
Lots of "Other" ammo out there but I have not tested them.

Can't help out any more since you did not mention the length of barrel on the weapon the ammo will be used out of.

Good shopping.
Click to expand...
I mentioned in the post that they were a 2 in (442)and 3 in (model 36)
 
Backlighting said:
I recently acquired my first .38 spl. I've never fired this caliber and revolver before.
I decided on a S&W 638 for concealed carry.
Snubby.jpg

While at the gun store I included a brick (250 rnds.) of Blazer Brass 125 gr. FMJ for $95. Figured this ammo was good enough to start training with the new snubby.
My goal is to be able to quickly stop an assailant at close quarters...less than 10 ft.
I now want to get some JHP's in .38 spl. and .38 spl.+P to include in my stash for that revolver.

Which brands have good expansion?
Recommendations?
Click to expand...
The Gold Dot 135gr are made for short barrel 38's. That's what I carry. I was just looking for a less expensive hollow point with decent expansion to put away for a worst case situation. Get the Gold Dot for carry.
 
Backlighting said:
I recently acquired my first .38 spl. I've never fired this caliber and revolver before.
I decided on a S&W 638 for concealed carry.
Snubby.jpg

While at the gun store I included a brick (250 rnds.) of Blazer Brass 125 gr. FMJ for $95. Figured this ammo was good enough to start training with the new snubby.
My goal is to be able to quickly stop an assailant at close quarters...less than 10 ft.
I now want to get some JHP's in .38 spl. and .38 spl.+P to include in my stash for that revolver.

Which brands have good expansion?
Recommendations?
Click to expand...
The Gold Dot 135gr are made for short barrel 38's. That's what I carry. I was just looking for a less expensive hollow point with decent expansion to put away for a worst case situation. Get the Gold Dot for carry. By the way you will love your Smith. I started with my 442, then decided I needed a 9mm. Carried it a while, but back to my 442. The nine stays in the safe.
 
Sorry gentlemen....
had eye surgery and things still fuzzy, missed the 2-3".

My snub nose all steel M49 shot a Speer 125 GDot that had a six fold tip, into water jugs and it did NOT even start to expand.
However the 135gr with seven (7) pedals works.
The lighter Remington 125 GS also works in the short barrel if you want a lighter bullet and a little less recoil but not much.

Many like the heavy Remington FBI 158gr LswcHP design but it might not always expand correctly but it will give maximum penetration. It has dropped in fps from the old loadings that put out 850 fps or more in a J frame short nose revolver.

The lighest SD bullet is the all copper 110gr that will expand and pass the FBI test in gel and 4G............ but as with all the other ammo, you must test it and make your choice on which you prefer.

Good day.

2lc63k8.jpg
 
Last edited:
Edknn123 said:
The Gold Dot 135gr are made for short barrel 38's. That's what I carry. I was just looking for a less expensive hollow point with decent expansion to put away for a worst case situation. Get the Gold Dot for carry. By the way you will love your Smith. I started with my 442, then decided I needed a 9mm. Carried it a while, but back to my 442. The nine stays in the safe.
Click to expand...
I've shot only 60 rounds thru the gun. Challenging and enjoyable.
My main squeeze is a full size Glock in 40 cal which I also like...just not for everyday/ all day cc.
 
Last edited:
Nevada Ed said:
Sorry gentlemen....
had eye surgery and things still fuzzy, missed the 2-3".

My snub nose all steel M49 shot a Speer 125 GDot that had a six fold tip, into water jugs and it did NOT even start to expand.
However the 135gr with seven (7) pedals works.
The lighter Remington 125 GS also works in the short barrel if you want a lighter bullet and a little less recoil but not much.

Many like the heavy Remington FBI 158gr LswcHP design but it might not always expand correctly but it will give maximum penetration. It has dropped in fps from the old loadings that put out 850 fps or more in a J frame short nose revolver.

The lighest SD bullet is the all copper 110gr that will expand and pass the FBI test in gel and 4G............ but as with all the other ammo, you must test it and make your choice on which you prefer.

Good day.

2lc63k8.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks Ed.
 
When I think SHTF I think of stocking supplies for survival where you might call on your gun to serve as both game getter and protector. Not sure you need to worry too much about over penetration in this realm, and so I have no problem stocking up on simple hard-cast LSWCs. Sure they don't expand, but they will cut a clean .357 hole through both foe and game. I would have no problem taking a whitetail deer with such a load at typical archery ranges with a 38 spl revolver. It's simple to reload because components are easy to find in bulk. A far better pick than FMJ with the rounded profile. Far cheaper, if you reload, than the cheapest factory HP.
 
Edknn123 said:
The Gold Dot 135gr are made for short barrel 38's. That's what I carry. I was just looking for a less expensive hollow point with decent expansion to put away for a worst case situation. Get the Gold Dot for carry.
Click to expand...

The SHTF round you're looking for is 5.56mm...

There's some Rem 125 gr +P JHPs at Ammunition Depot for $18 a box. That might fit the bill. It should do what you're asking it to.
 
petepeterson said:
The SHTF round you're looking for is 5.56mm...

There's some Rem 125 gr +P JHPs at Ammunition Depot for $18 a box. That might fit the bill. It should do what you're asking it to.
Click to expand...
That's what I was looking at but didn't know if they would work in a 2 or 3 in barrel. They have the HTP and UMC hollow points. Will either expand in a short barrel? I have the rifle and shotgun end covered.
 
The generic Rem 125gr jhps chrono'd right at the same velocities as their more expensive golden Sabers in the same weight last time I tried them in my 2.5" .38sp L frame (model 242), same also with an old lot of Win +p 125 sjhp.
The Rem Golden sabers averaged 933fps, the generic sjhp went 925fps and the the Win versions 919fps. That usually equates to about 50fps less in the 1&7/8" J frames. They may not be as reliable expanders in the worst case 4 layers of denim FBI stuff, but for a cheap +p they are about all you can ask for.
It'd still suck getting hit with one.
 
mike campbell said:
Long before there were Gold Dots, Golden Sabers, FTX's, PDX's and even XTP's there was this guy...

DSC_0084.jpg


For way more than a decade it's been expanding perfectly out of my little guns. I don't know what line Remington loads it in but, if it's one of their cheaper ones, it would be my choice for a bulk stash.
Click to expand...

What was the target medium?
 
Any 125 gr JHP or Remington/Winchester old style SJHP bullet should do well out of any 2" barrel if they can reach 900 fps !!

My J frame can reach 880 fps with several powders that matches many factory loads of old.

Anything below 850 fps might not work.................. and I will not use any ammo this slow for SD use out of a 1 7/8" tube.
 
In a SHTF Scenario, I would not be concerned about over penetration and expanding bullets. Buy the cheapest 158gn Semi-Wad Cutter Ammo you can find. It will go in deep and maybe all the way through. It makes a clean hole, which will bleed easily. More 158gn SWC bullets, is far better, than fewer HP type SD bullets!
 
I like the Critical Defense rounds for my Model 60. They expand reliably and meet the FBI protocol penetration (12-18").
 
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