38 Special Bullet Carry Choice

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My Poll is inspired by this Poll. https://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/723085-preferred-every-day-carry-cartridge.html

For those who carry a .38 Special round, which one is it?

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Sheesh, I use three different loads. My K frames get R-P 158-grain LSWCHPs, except my 67-1, which gets Winchester Ranger Bonded 130s because the 158s impact high even with the rear sight screwed all the way down. My 642-2 gets the Ranger Bonded for the same reason. My M49 no-dash gets Federal Gold Medal Match wadcutters.

 

[NCBeagle]

Usually some version of 158 gr. LSWCHP or 135 Speer Gold Dot. Also have some Underwood 150 gr wadcutters.


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[paknheat]

I like the Hornady 140 gn XTP in both the .38sp and.357 magnum.


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[.455_Hunter]

Depending on selected gun and threat matrix for the task at hand, it could range from a 110 gr JHP to a 158+ gr solid.

 

[Goldstar225]

I selected the 158 LSWCHP which I use in my 4" model 15. In my 2" 642 I use the Speer 135 grain gold dot HP.

 

[haywood]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr. 38+P

 

[DR505]

I carry the .38 Special 158 gr LSWCHP +P FBI Load (it is what we were issued) in my Model 13-4 3" .357 magnum.

 

[eb07]

Mine is two fold



In my carry snubs it's 135gr Speer Gold Dot JHP +P



In my field guns its hand rolled 158gr SWC hardcast

 

[gwpercle]

I had to vote ... Other

My ammo of choice is loaded with a 160 grain Cast Lead Wadcutter .
The 160 gr. weight shoots to the guns fixed sights ... and the wadcutter profile hits hard .
NOE mould 358-160-WC and is availible with hollow & cup point pins for some wicked hollow point projectiles .
This is the old discontinued Lyman #358432 design .
Gary

 

[tops]

Other. 158 gr. hard cast swc. Larry

 

[rockquarry]

158 grain cast swc for .38 Special; standard pressure or +P, what ever shoots best. Most of these are cast soft, the best for this cartridge. "Hard cast" (I'll define that for the sake of simplicity as having a BHN above 12 -14) in the .38 will perform virtually the same as a full metal jacket bullet - no expansion, but if you're an expert shooter (as few of us are) it will work fine.

The cartridge was designed for the 158 grain weight and such loads will usually shoot closer to point of aim than the lighweight bullets. The heavier bullet is often more accurate as well. There are always exceptions, but there is little need for the light bullets in this cartridge.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Other: 148 grain DEWC, box says 850fps.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

130gr Federal HST in the LCR

125gr Golden Sabers for reloads

 

[Magnum_PI]

I currently have 129 gr +p Federal Hydra Shok rounds.

They work, and work well. They also shoot clean.

Been around a long time, and if you shop around, you can get a good deal on 50 rounds (LE box), for almost the same price that some places charge you for only 20 rounds...

 

[Marshal Tom]

135gr. Gold Dot

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Sheesh, I use three different loads. My K frames get R-P 158-grain LSWCHPs, except my 67-1, which gets Winchester Ranger Bonded 130s because the 158s impact high even with the rear sight screwed all the way down. My 642-2 gets the Ranger Bonded for the same reason. My M49 no-dash gets Federal Gold Medal Match wadcutters.

I am at the same place. All of my .38 and .357 revolvers have a different "pet" load.

From what I have read, the Kimber K6xs two inch is regulated for Winchester Ranger Bonded 130 JHPs and from my experience it is.

The one best overall is Federal Gold Medal Match wadcutters.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

My favorite load is Fed Nyclad 158gr SWCHP +P, which I carry in my 2" 15.

In my nickel M37 SB, which was regulated (by me) for Fed Nyclad 125gr HP, I carry Win 110gr STHP. If I run out of that, I'll use the Nyclad.

My 42, 642, and blue M37 SB use Win or Rem 158gr SWC or 148gr WC initially, SWC or maybe 158gr RNL in speedloaders or speed strips.

I have a 4" 10 which shoots well with Speer 135gr +P.

I have a cut-down (to 3") M&P made around 1907 which shoots well only with 148gr WC.

I did not vote.

 

[crows]

Fed 147gr Hydra-Shok

 

[BB57]

It needs to be a a multiple choice poll.

It depends on the revolver I am carrying:

- I have a .38+P load using a Hornady 158gr LSWCHP it's very low cost and shoots to point of aim, but it requires a couple coats of liquid alox over the standard lube to prevent leading. It works very well in my 3" Model 13, but it still leads in my 3" 686+. It also won't adequately expand in my shorter 2.125" and 1 7/8" revolvers.

- I use Remington green and white box .38+P 125 gr. SJHP in my 2" and 3" Kimber K6S revovlers as well as my Taurus 856 Executive, 2 1/2" Model 66, and 3" 686+ as it gel tests very well in all of those revolvers.