38 Special Bullet Carry Choice

[Alk8944]

IF I am carrying a .38 Revolver it will be loaded with 158 LSWC+P aka the "FBI load"! Unless it is chambered for .357 Magnum!

But, more than likely I will be carrying a 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, .38 Super or even a .380 or .32 ACP, depending on my mood at the moment! Might even sneak a .45 ACP in sometimes.

 

[BigBear437]

Here's an old-school, but still accurate answer: 125 grain Federal Nyclad HP. That's what I carry in my J-frame.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Buffalo Bore standard pressure non +P 158 grain LSWCHP.

I carry an LCR. Faster than any of the other watered down factory FBI-loads-in-name-only ammos out today even though it's standard pressure.

 

[zeke]

mid velocity 158 hard lead wide flat nose, although am not carrying a 38 snub much anymore.

It's what my M638 is regulated to, fairly easy shooting and flat point that penetrates.

 

[mckenney99]

I very rarely carry a snubby revolver these days, but when I do it is this load.

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

 

[WR Moore]

Like several others, I can't narrow it down to one. The Remington 125 gr +P SJHP expands well, the Sierra 125 JHP loaded to +P velocities doesn't expand as much but gets better penetration. I tote these about the property. Pretty substantial velocity loss going from 4 inch to 3 inch. Powder selection might change that.

In factory loads, I bought the Federal 38G 158 gr +P LHP. I can't tell you anything about expansion as I never recovered a bullet. They pass through a 36 inch water column (simulates 24 in tissue) and keep going. So have other brands. Checking with some trusted sources, it apparently helps quite a bit if the bullets have to bust a rib/sternum on the way in. FWIW: on the 38G, factory claims 890 f/s, measured: 4 inch barrel 840 f/s; 3 inch barrel 82? f/s and 2 inch 802 f/s.

 

[BrBa]

In my LCR: .38 +P Barnes 110 gr TAC-XP over 7.7 gr HS-6 and a mag. primer. They run just under 1100 fps.

For my 3" and longer barrels: .38 +P Speer 135 gr Gold Dot Short barrel load. Those run 950-1000 fps depending on barrel.

 

[diyj98]

Normally I've just tried to find a decent bullet that shoot close to point of aim in whatever 38 I'm currently carrying. That's the Gold Dot +P 125 grain with the current snub nose. I think those may have been discontinued, so I'll have to find something else once my current supply is shot up.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

4" barrel - 158 SWCHP-GC (38-44 load)
2" barrel steel frame - 125 JHP +P or 145 SWCHP +P
2" barrel alloy frame - 110 JHP

 

[jem102]

Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWHP+P.

 

[sceva]

Either Speer 135 gr +P gold dots or Federal 130 gr HST Micro.

The Federal HST Micro in the house.

 

[smoothshooter]

Do you mean bullet or cartridge?

 

[CH4]

Many good, effective loads out there, but I prefer 135 gr Speer Gold Dot Short barrel +P. I buy every box I can find, most of which are NOS 50 rd boxes.

 

[Bald1]

Federal FBI load

 

[magnum0710]

I voted other, I was carrying the 120 grain Federal Punch. I recently switched to Double Taps 158 grain SWC +p (non-hollowpoint). It's basically a hard cast version of the FBI load. I wanted a more "J frame friendly" version of the Underwood and Buffalo Bore Keith loads. It's exactly what I was looking for.
I do reload and I have an equivalent hand load but prefer to carry factory ammo. I was carrying my hand load when doing yard work but still wanted a factory load. Once I got it I decided to just carry it for everything. Flat nose and SWC profiles are the only non-hollowpoints I really like for self defense.

 

[Donn]

On the odd occasion I carry a 38 snubby, it's loaded with Federal HST 130gr Micro. The ones that look like wadcutters.