.38special self defence ammo for snubbies

[Richard Simmons]

And what do you all recommend for older .38 Spcls like pre-Model 36 and Targetmasters?

Personally I would use the same load I stated above as I don't believe you would hurt either of the guns you mention by using it.

If you are concerned about using +P you could either limit it to just a few rounds to get familiar with it or get the same LSWCHP in a non+P loading like that offered by Buffalo Bore that states "it won't hurt older/fragile/alloy revolvers".

 

[blackpowder]

Don't forget that before 1970, regular .38spl factory ammo was loaded to much higher pressures than newer ammo. And modern .38spl +P is loaded significantly higher than modern .38spl regular ammo but generally - notwithstanding exceptions - modern +P pressures are about equal to pre 1970 .38spl pressures. So the older guns - even alloy frames - should not have a problem with +P ammo.

 

[Waywatcher]

Here's my choice:



135 grain Speer Gold Dot +P. 10 rounds at 7 yards. Shoots to POA at 20 yards and averages 872fps from my snubby--chronographed.

 

[326MOD10]

In a Plus P .38 or in .357 Magnum I like the Gold Dot ammo made for weapons with short barrels.

In a standard velocity .38 Special I use the Hornady Custom 158 grain XTP. There is a youtube video with some pretty impressive gel test using this ammo.

I also have both the Plus P and standard version of the 110 grain Hornady Critical Defense that I have tried but tend to go with one of the above.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

The 110 gr. Silvertip is still listed by Winchester and is NOT +p, the 125gr is +p.
Finding that anywhere in this day and age is a matter of checking the usual sources and the stuff is crazy expensive.

Then again, I don't often carry my old Bodyguard much anymore.

Geoff
Who likes flat automatics in the land of spandex and shorts.

 

[hangnoose]

DON'T FORGET THE UNPREDICTABLE FACTOR.

The unpredictable nature of how bullets react & travel when hitting an animal, or the unpredictable nature of some to soak up lead without much affect, while others fall over and die, I wouldn't waste much time overthinking it. Use what you can get & shoot best, and hope "they hit between the pockets".

 

[papa1147]

Different Revolvers -- Possibly same Ammo

Good Evening,

For a year or so, I have been carrying a 38 +p 442 airweight and using federal 110 gr hydra shok ammo. This week I came into a very sweet mod 66-2 with a 4" barrel which presented me with decisions on what types of ammo should I have on hand.

The federal ammo is made to give low recoil for 1 7/8" barrel weapons but still kicks pretty good in the airweight.

Without having to carry several kinds of ammo, would the 110 grain hydra shok perform well in the 357 pistol since it has two more inchs of barrel?

I will have more powerful ammo for the 357, but there will be times that both are carried together thus my wanting to have similar ammo and the recoil of the model 442 airweight is my limiting factor.

I conceal carry these weapons for self defense. If you have other suggestions please feel free to enlighten me.

Thanks,

Papa

 

[Waywatcher]

Good Evening,

For a year or so, I have been carrying a 38 +p 442 airweight and using federal 110 gr hydra shok ammo. This week I came into a very sweet mod 66-2 with a 4" barrel which presented me with decisions on what types of ammo should I have on hand.

The federal ammo is made to give low recoil for 1 7/8" barrel weapons but still kicks pretty good in the airweight.

Without having to carry several kinds of ammo, would the 110 grain hydra shok perform well in the 357 pistol since it has two more inchs of barrel?

I will have more powerful ammo for the 357, but there will be times that both are carried together thus my wanting to have similar ammo and the recoil of the model 442 airweight is my limiting factor.

I conceal carry these weapons for self defense. If you have other suggestions please feel free to enlighten me.

Thanks,

Papa

The Gold Dot load I mentioned above is a good load in both snubbies and 4 inch barrels; borne true by both street results and gelatin testing. My second choice is a 158 grain lead hollow point at +P velocity. My third choice, or my choice if recoil is a substantial factor is a 148 grain wadcutter as hard as possible and as fast as possible (like Buffalo Bore).

The 110 grain hydra shok, in .38 special, have been under-performers in the tests I've seen.

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

Stick with what has been used and proven to work in the real world: 158SWCHP+P by Rem, Fed or Win, Speer 125+P/135+P GDHP, Rem 125+P Golden Saber, the new Win 125+P STHP or Win 130+P PDX.

Hornady's FTX is completely unproven on the streets.

ALL solid bullet designs in 38Spl have proven to be OVER PENETRATIVE in real shootings. Don't walk but RUN AWAY from using even WC and SWC bullets in this caliber.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I trust only 3 loads for SD and I use them all with different revolvers because of accuracy.

I like Winchester Silvertip +P, Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot +P and the FBI Load.

 

[Nevada Ed]

ArchAngelCD;

Could you tell me what bullet weight that silver tip is and what velocity you are getting out of what length barrel?

I tried them in my 38 snub nose.

 

[blackpowder]

I like Winchester Silvertip +P, Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot +P and the FBI Load.

Yes, I would also like some details about the silvertips. Truth is, I just shot them up because I thought they don't cut the mustard anymore. I am looking around for a more up to date replacement.

You think the silvertips are still up there with the new stuff - performance wise ??

 

[TenTea]

Hornady Critical Defense

 

[JohnHancock]

Just to add to the discussion, I've also been doing some informal experimentation with various defense ammo. This past weekend I had a chance to do some shooting and compared some of the aforementioned brands. I've been carrying the popular Speer Gold Dot 135 +p, but wanted to do some comparisons with the Georgia Arms Speer "Unicore" 125 gr. +p as well as the controversial Buffalo Bore +p "FBI" load. As some have mentioned the BB was a handful, but performed well. I will say that Speer rounds performed a little better on follow up shots, particularly the GA Arms 125 gr.+p. Some have said they believe that GA Arms +p is a little weak compared to some of the name brand +p, and that might be the case as I don't believe that the 10 grain difference between the two would have much noticeable difference in perceived recoil. I was just shooting at an indoor range and was not chrono-ing or using ballistics gel, so no word on muzzle energy or expansion, just general observation. I'd love to see some formal comparisons, but don't have the means to conduct it. The only ballistics test video on YouTube is the GA Arms Speer Unicore 9mm +p, which expanded well in a "milk jug" test.

 

[Me239]

I love my 158 SWC-HP that I handload. If you don't load, get Remington 158 grain SWC-HP +P. They're the only FBI loads (besides Buffalo Bore) that I know reliably expand.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD;

Could you tell me what bullet weight that silver tip is and what velocity you are getting out of what length barrel?

I tried them in my 38 snub nose.

I'm sorry but I have never sent the 125gr Silvertips over a chrono. To be truthful I have not used them in a while either.

From a 2" J frame (actually 1.875") shooting the 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo I get an AV of 922 fps. That sounds a little high but that's what my records from 2007 show.
The 135gr Speer load is rated @860 fps on their site. The 125gr SliverTips are rated @945 fps from a 4" vented barrel. I would guess the velocity of the Silvertips would be at least as good as the Gold Dots. Granted the 135gr bullet from Speer is designed to expand at lower velocities than the Silvertips but since the Silvertips have a higher velocity rating than the Gold dots I'm sure they will also expand. At least all the tests I see on the Internet say they do.

As for the FBI Load, they have over 50 years of performing in the field and I'm sure there are no doubts if they perform or not.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Good, Good..............

a 125gr Silver Tip !!

I tried several Remington old style SJHP in my snub but they
give all kinds of different results in penetration, expansion and
accuracy. One day they work the next they are terrible!!

I use them now for just target loads, even though I did get them up to 890 and 903 in the snub nose J frame.

 

[s&wbest]

I like the dependable expansion of the speer gold dot ammunition. It may be my go to round of the future. I wonder why the detectives of past remark on wad cutter dependability. I am not talking target loads but buffalo bore hard cast 150gr. low flash standard pressure. With Golden Saber having jacket separation problems and Pdx1 not expanding from short barrels and over penetrating the thought of a couple of rounds of a dependable hole puncher with a devistating wound capability makes sense to me. Putting all my eggs in one basket is only as good as the basket. Corbon would be a great option if i thought my old airweight would stay in one peice. I would use it as a ankle carried backup to a 40 shield. I like the dependability of a revolver but realize the firepower and ease of reload in an auto is my main ccw. Group confrontation is getting to be more of my concern than just a one on one robbery. I will continue to upgrade my weapons but for now I want to make best use of what I have by taking advise of those who have real life experience.

 

[Sylvaticus]

Three choices

In my CCW classes, I have in recent years recommended these choices for .38 Special. It is my cartridge of choice for civilians in a 2" to 4" small or medium frame revolver , esp. for those (most!) who will not be engaging in much practice. I have favored load #2 since the 1970s.
1. Speer 135-gr GD short barrel load +P
2. Federal, Rem or Win 158-gr LSWCHP "FBI" +P
3. Major manufacturer 148 LWC, a compromise round for those unable to handle and qualify with either of the above.

In many instances, the issue isn't with load as much as being a failure to recognize that a lightweight, small frame snub nose isn't a handgun for novices!

Yes, there might be still other choices from smaller ammo outfits, but few of my students will take the time to find them.