.38 Special Defense Load

[CDawg]

I use either the Nyclad 125gr or the Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure 158gr, whatever shoots better in the weapon. I'd really like to hear some horror stories of the Nyclad round sucking in real life. That hasn't been the word or info that I've been hearing or reading. Please enlighten us!

 

[pete950]

CDawg
I will enlighten you 2 center mass hits didn't put my offender down.
They didn't open up like everyone thinks a handgun bullet has to.
they dumped all their energy to early and didn't get to the vitals and knuckle head lived to stand trial.

End of story can't go into any more detail.

according to the ME (Medical Examiner) I would have been better off with a heavy bullet.

That is why I have fallen into the full wadcutter camp and I currently carry
Jim Cirillo's "Safe Stop" round or Buffalo boars full wadcutter load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I personally carry the FBI Load made by Remington in my SD revolver.(Part # R38S12) I like the additional bullet weight. I didn't mention that load because the OP asked about standard pressure ammo.

 

[CDawg]

CDawg
I will enlighten you 2 center mass hits didn't put my offender down.
They didn't open up like everyone thinks a handgun bullet has to.
they dumped all their energy to early and didn't get to the vitals and knuckle head lived to stand trial.

End of story can't go into any more detail.

according to the ME (Medical Examiner) I would have been better off with a heavy bullet.

That is why I have fallen into the full wadcutter camp and I currently carry
Jim Cirillo's "Safe Stop" round or Buffalo boars full wadcutter load.

Thanks! I appreciate you sharing your personal experience.

 

[gunlovingirl]

+1 on the Federal Nyclad. My avatar is my speedloader of Nyclad.

 

[Dogguy]

I'll stick with Nyclads in my Airweight revolvers. There are instances of multiple hits with all calibers failing to stop bad guys. There are instances of one-shot stops with .25ACPs. No point in worrying on what might happen because anything can happen. Use what you and your gun shoot well.

 

[Buford57]

There's a variety of experience out there. 25 years ago I carried the old Nyclad 125s in airweights and either the Nyclad 158gr +Ps (both were true semi-wadcutters, not the current shape) or the Federal 110 +P+ Treasury load in steel frame snubs because they had good reputations. If any of them had failed me the way Pete's Nyclads failed him I would have never carried them again and advised others to do likewise.

Most have to rely on gelatin tests and published accounts of real-world performance. I am currently carrying Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr +P in a 642 because it has good initial test results and shoots well in that specific revolver. Could it fail me? Sure. Will I live in fear of that? No.
If credible accounts of failure on the street start to surface will I switch? So fast it will make your head spin.

Still, a hit with a less than optimum caliber or load is still better than a miss with the best ammo on the market (whatever than may be).

 

[bmcgilvray]

I personally carry the FBI Load made by Remington in my SD revolver.(Part # R38S12) I like the additional bullet weight. I didn't mention that load because the OP asked about standard pressure ammo.

This one or a Unique fueled handloaded equivalent, traveling about 925-950 fps from a 4-inch revolver, is my choice and I happily made my peace with it long ago. Saves on dithering over one's choice of the latest fancy "premium self-defense ammo of the week" and all the marketing hype associated with it. The "FBI load" or similarly prepared handload is always correct when using .38 Special revolvers for self defense. I particularly like the idea of using it in snubs.

For me, the 158 grain semi-wadcutter fired from the .38 Special revolver has worked great on Texas critters including deer. I'm not even too concerned if it comes equipped with a hollow point or not. I've got a box of Remington +P 158 grain SWC that came without the hollow point feature and think it's fine.

 

[Skeeziks]

I'm not here to get in an argument Skeeziks. Just trying to be helpful.

Same here....

 

[glock_556]

I just bought some Hornady Critical Defense 110gr .38 loads for the wife's model 36. Any info on this load?

 

[Frank46]

Carry a model 36 stoked with big greens 125 grain brass bullet and its a plus + load. Golden sabre is the name. Bought 3 boxes some yesrs back and shoot off my carry ammo about every 6 months. Probably nothing wrong with the ammo thats been in the revolver but feel better with fresh loads in the revolver. Frank

 

[pete950]

I agree not here for an argument either!!!!
I just feel and hear from others I run with that have been involved in the same situations, the old Wadcutter, SWC and SWCHP work the best. They are old and tried and true.
I wouldn't want to be shot with any thing 22,25 or even the 125 Nyclad.

Pete

 

[photoman]

I just bought some Hornady Critical Defense 110gr .38 loads for the wife's model 36. Any info on this load?

I've tried quite a bit of both loads (standard pressure and +P) and didn't find it accurate. I seem to recall it was a bit dirty too (leaving unburned powder under the ejector star).

 

[Maximumbob54]

You guys are making me nervous. No one has yet to mention my Federal Hydra-Shok 110's... Is there something I should know???

I also load my own with a 158 gr plated swaged HP bullet loaded to the top of the standard pressure loading charts. They kick some but it's a heavy bullet. I figure if it opens up then yay, if not, hey... It's still a heavy bullet punching into the target.

 

[Out West]

I remember when the Nyclads first came out there was some discussion that the nylon coating on the bullet was resistant to taking a ballistic signature. Don't know if it's true, but it is an interesting attribute.

Out
West

 

[firearmsunlimited]

One of best rounds in the 38 Special or 357 Magnum short barrel is the 38 Special +P Golden Saber. A Sheriff who tested this in Ballistic
Gelatin obtained penetration results of 10 to 10½ inches with expansion to between .55 and .60 inches. He immediately switched his preferred loads to the Golden Sabers. The 38 Golden Saber has a thinner jacket and softer core resulting in excellent performance.

 

[Will Carry]

I have 3 speed loaders for my M36 3". One has Federal Personal Defense Low Recoil HPs, one has 158gr wadcutter HPs and the third has Glazer Silver Dots. I usually don't load it with Glazers unless I'm going somewhere crowded with people.
The rounds to avoid are the cheap target loads in FMJ.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
I commented on a similiar thread about a fellow whos wife is recoil sensitive and won't shoot +P. The wife was shooting a 4 inch revolver.
My answer was a 125 gr nyclad. All though we are commenting on a short barrel revolver, my answer is the same. Reason is recoil and ease of shooting. Shot placement is still important and shooting a short barrel revolver is hard enough even with standard pressue 38 specials. I have a old model 36 1 7/8 barrel. I have only used the nyclad round when I shoot the revolver. Too me the recoil is managable and accuracy is decent. Now in my 4 inch revolvers I use the FBI round by Remington or Buffalo Bore. But both of these rounds are too harsh for me in my all model 36.
Here is a question? Has anybody tried the Winchester 130 gr +P PDX round?. The FBI has tested this round with good results.

Regards,
Howard

 

[photoman]

You guys are making me nervous. No one has yet to mention my Federal Hydra-Shok 110's... Is there something I should know???

All of them I have shot in my Airweights have been extremely accurate and very light recoil. As far as penetration and expansion, don't have any information on that.

 

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

This has been an interesting, and informative thread, and I thank one and all who contributed to it.

All other things aside, I like carrying 158gr bullets in my .38 Special, and .357 ammunition. I've always found that every .38 snub revolver I've found, and most of my .357's, shoot almost exactly to POA with that bullet weight. Since I believe that shot placement is the most important factor in stopping an aggressor, beyond all other considerations, I have chosen the loads that give that POA accuracy. I also hope and pray that, IF the time ever comes when I need to actually shoot someone in self-defense (which I TRULY hope never happens!), shot placement with a good 158 grain slug will carry the day and save my life or the lives others!!

All of my S&W, and many of my Ruger firearms in these calibers simply seem to thrive and shoot their best with 158 grain bullets. So, for me anyway, I'll not be switching to anything else, as everything else I've tried does not shoot as well as my old tried and true favorites. I have settled on WW 158gr lead SWCHP +P ammunition, or the non +P version of that same setup. Both shoot very well in my guns, and both have proved satisfactory enough to keep me using them. For what it's worth..... Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc