roger b
Member
Looking for advice on store bought ammo. I have hornby 38 spcl 110 grftx critical defence and pmc sp 132 grs. fmj for target shooting.
sw 638-3 ammo
- Thread starter roger b
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papajohn428
Member
The Hornady 110-grain Critical Defense should serve you well as a Home/Self protection load, though some folks like heavier bullets for better penetration in winter. If that's the case the good old FBI load with a lead hollow point on the order of 158 grains should be fine, and cheap enough to practice with.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I'm thinking my old 49 is alot like your 638 and you may like the Speer short barrel 135 +P. It seemed a little hard on my hand in the 442. As always, you wont know until you try. Ivan
ogilvyspecial
Member
In my M638-3 I generally run Buffalo Bore 158 gr. Lead Semi Wadcutter HP's,
or, if I want the same in a lighter load, I go with the Remington.
You could mix the Buffalo Bore & Remington 158 gr. LSWCHP's (FBI load) in any configuration
in a cylinder and I'll be able to tell you which one is which. The Buffalo Bore is definitely hotter!
or, if I want the same in a lighter load, I go with the Remington.
You could mix the Buffalo Bore & Remington 158 gr. LSWCHP's (FBI load) in any configuration
in a cylinder and I'll be able to tell you which one is which. The Buffalo Bore is definitely hotter!
SixgunFife
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I've been using Winchester's "White Box" 125-grain +P JHP; granted, it's stout out of the light 638. I'm interested in experimenting with some standard-pressure loads and do the bulk of my practice with standard-pressure FMJs. 
photoman
Member
I've been using the Hornady 110gr FTX standard pressure in my Airweights lately. Very accurate and low recoil.
I'd tend to stay away from 110 gr loads. A few months back I had to put 2 dogs down after they killed one of our small dogs. I used some 110 gr silver tips in a 6" GP100.
It was night. Manages one head shot but had to go for center of mass on the 2nd as she started running. Hit her about 2/3rds back in the rib cage. The bullet didn't penetrate. She headed into the woods, healed and is now a different dog.
Since she was almost healed when I next saw her I didn't have the heart to finish the job. Changed her name to ghost.
The performance on the 1st dog wasn't that great either. I think that penetration with that light of a bullet is just not there.
It was night. Manages one head shot but had to go for center of mass on the 2nd as she started running. Hit her about 2/3rds back in the rib cage. The bullet didn't penetrate. She headed into the woods, healed and is now a different dog.
Since she was almost healed when I next saw her I didn't have the heart to finish the job. Changed her name to ghost.
The performance on the 1st dog wasn't that great either. I think that penetration with that light of a bullet is just not there.
photoman
Member
Interesting information. Regarding the shot that "didn't penetrate," was the hit high or low or right in the middle? I'm wondering about bullet deflection. That was a common problem that Jim Cirrillo reported having during his stake out squad days.
Also, do you know if those Silvertips were the current design? Winchester redesigned that bullet about five years ago and the new version is much more effective.
The hit was about 1/3 way into the ribs and centered horizontally. Hit right on top of a rib.
They were the old silver tips and not +P. I would think the 6" barrel length would make up the difference in regards of standard and +P
I didn't do a close examination since the dog was a bit skittish, understandably so, but from what I could see the bullet didn't look fragmented and after a couple of months the dog shows no sign of anything wrong, but with a better attitude.
If it didn't fragment then I doubt bullet construction had that much to do with it. I'd decided to use these cartridges for expansion and to eliminate the chance of over penetration as much as possible.
From now on I'll stick with my carry ammo.
They were the old silver tips and not +P. I would think the 6" barrel length would make up the difference in regards of standard and +P
I didn't do a close examination since the dog was a bit skittish, understandably so, but from what I could see the bullet didn't look fragmented and after a couple of months the dog shows no sign of anything wrong, but with a better attitude.
If it didn't fragment then I doubt bullet construction had that much to do with it. I'd decided to use these cartridges for expansion and to eliminate the chance of over penetration as much as possible.
From now on I'll stick with my carry ammo.
