Best ammo for 340PD

[m41]

I have searched the forum to see if anyone has any informatioin on shooting a 148gr wadcutter in a 340pd and how it shoots and I couldn't find any or I don't know how to use the new search. I have tried shooting several loads in 357 and 38+P and 38 and have found the most pleasant and most accurate to be the wadcutter out to 20ft. I was wondering how this load would be to carry strictly for a defense round at that close of a distance. I don't think the +P hp will expand very much at this distance and the recoil on the wadcutters is very manageable. I was wondering what your ideas are on this round before I start using it for ccw.

 

[flop-shank]

I prefer hollowpoints and the right load will expand fine from a 1 7/8" barrel. If you can handle the flash and recoil of +P hollowpoints that's what I'd recommend. Most of us here like the Speer .38+P and the FBI load. I'm in the minority, but like Corbon DPX. It's as close to a fool proof expanded as you are likely to find in that caliber.

The late Jim Cirillo (if you don't know who he was, he'll be worth the time spent researching) was impressed with .38 wadcutters when he saw them used in gunfights. He said they make a full caliber hole that lets the blood out and air in. Be advised that wadcutters can be very deep penetrators so overpenetration may be an issue.

 

[Spotteddog]

Brother F/S is steering you straight.
It'll take some time, some expense and some nerve damage to determine what the max loading is that you personally can tolerate. It's not the same "perfect" load for everyone She's not the easiest gun in the world to shoot, but she's the one you'll have with you, should you need her! Remember a load you can hit accurately with is what counts.

 

[moxie]

Wadcutters are designed for target use, with enough velocity to kill a paper target. Consequently, most factory wadcutter rounds are lightly loaded, low velocity rounds. This is why the recoil you have experienced with them is "very manageable." Unfortunately, that low velocity makes the round not particularly effective for self defense as penetration will be minimal. For the 340PD stick with one of the 125 gr. +P loads or the DPX load. If the recoil is more than you care for, go with the non plus P 125 grain loads. They are still a better bet than wadcutters.

 

[Erich]

A few of us have played with loading up and shooting "combat wadcutters," following the thoughts of Cirillo (may he rest in peace) on the subject. With the hardcast 148-grainers coming at c. 900 fps from a snub, they're not unpleasant to shoot in Airweight guns, and I doubt they'd be terrible in your 340. Buffalo Bore loads an equivalent defensive wadcutter load that does almost the same velocity as our handloads - should be quite easy to shoot.

Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

I wouldn't want to use wadcutters beyond 50 yards, but if you ever have a legit reason to shoot someone with your 340 beyond 50 yards, I'll eat my hat. I'd rather use the Buffalo Bore wadcutters than any 125-grain JHPs from a .38 snub, based on my concerns about adequate penetration.

Hitting the vitals is a whole lot more important than expansion in effecting a stop with a defensive handgun (and in the cases I've seen in which people have used .38 snubs to shoot other people with hollowpoints, expansion seems to be an iffy thing at best). I like hollowpoints to avoid overpenetration in many calibers, but doubt you'd have much trouble along those lines with properly placed shots from a .38 snub such as yours. It sure seems a lot more important to place the shots accurately (study this: Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body ) and practice shooting your gun.

 

[Spotteddog]

FWIW M41,
The load Erich was kind enough to post the link to, is the one my Wife's 11 ounce aluminum/Ti 342PD is running.
Thanks Erich!

 

[HUMONGO]

I carry one with 158gr Golddot .357s

I know the thing slaps my hand like a hammer on steroids, but if you need to use it, you don't feel the recoil.

The problem arises with an accurate follow-up shot. My thoughts are that it's an up close kinda gun and perfect aim isn't as important. Plus, I have huge hands and arms to keep the little bugger under control!

 

[flop-shank]

Wadcutters are designed for target use, with enough velocity to kill a paper target. Consequently, most factory wadcutter rounds are lightly loaded, low velocity rounds. This is why the recoil you have experienced with them is "very manageable." Unfortunately, that low velocity makes the round not particularly effective for self defense as penetration will be minimal.

Wadcutters will penetrate fine, even at target velocities. They don't have much, or any, expansion to "put on the brakes". www.brassfetcher.com has a test of the 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match wadcutter. Click on the "old website" link, then .38 special.

Also of interest are the various DPX tests on that page. People keep saying 110 gr. .38+P is a shallow penetrator, but DPX did fine while still expanding through four layers of denim from a 1.4" barrel!

 

[Spotteddog]

OK F/S.
I'll confess! I want hers (the Wife's) to get adequate penetration even on a guy the size of our friend HUMONGO above? Because I can't always count on an assailant actually matching the national average for a physical description? Call me over cautious I guess!

 

[conchmariner]

Any thoughts on either Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr, Federal Low Recoil Hydrashocks 110 gr JHP or Speer Gold Dot LE for short barrel?

 

[cmrtwister2]

I shoot the Gold Dot 135g short barrel in my 340PD and they seem to work great.

 

[coach22]

Having read about lead issues in Scandium guns,
my 340 PD is loaded with BB 125 +P's.
If I couldn't get those, I'd load it with DPX +P's.

 

[MTKTM]

My favorite load in the 340PD is snap-caps.

 

[BreakerDan]

Federal 38 +P+ 147gr Hydrashock.

 

[flop-shank]

Any thoughts on either Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr, Federal Low Recoil Hydrashocks 110 gr JHP or Speer Gold Dot LE for short barrel?

In 110 gr. .38+P I would look to Corbon. DPX is an exceptional load. 110 gr. JHP is a very deep penetrator (~15" IIRC), but blastier and hotter than DPX (think .357 magnumish , icky for many men and most women). Speer 135 SB is great and midweight. If the bullets still shoots low try the FBI load.

 

[conchmariner]

In 110 gr. .38+P I would look to Corbon. DPX is an exceptional load. 110 gr. JHP is a very deep penetrator (~15" IIRC), but blastier and hotter than DPX (think .357 magnumish , icky for many men and most women). Speer 135 SB is great and midweight. If the bullets still shoots low try the FBI load.

The Hornady CD 110 gr JHP comes in standard and +P. I've got some Speer 135 SB on the way. Didn't realize until after I ordered it that it was +P since it wasn't described that way. I was going to try it in my LCR, which Ruger says is .38 Special +P rated. I can't imagine it would be any worse that .44 Magnum loads through a 329 NG.

 

[flop-shank]

For someone with decent recoil tolerance, I can't imagine SB +P being bad from an LCR. Snappy, but I'll guess about the same as a Smith Airweight. I shoot the SB .357 from my 360 and I'm sure that's probably not as bad as a 329 with .44 mags (by no means fun though).

 

[38-44HD45]

My 340PD stays loaded with Speer Short Barrel 135gr. .357s. I don't keep .38s in self-defense .357 revolvers, and this load is not bad to shoot, in 340PD terms. The 342Ti in my boot at the moment, however, is loaded with Safe Stop .38+P wadcutters, running a heavily copper plated 148gr. wadcutter with a notch cut across the nose and very sharp shoulders on the leading edge. Mr. Cirillo was involved in the design. In test media, and probably in flesh, two wedges, each weighing about 22 gr., break off and spin off the flight path, while the remaining core penetrates pretty deeply. Safe Stop also made a standard pressure version without the notch. Unfortunately, neither are currently being manufactured.

 

[Spotteddog]

Congratulations counselor!
You've now got me teased into a frenzy.
Got any ammo porn pix of this illicit load?

(BTW-Heard from family RE: legal?)