I much prefer lead bullets in my revolvers because, if desired, they may be fired at a higher velocity than any jacketed bullet. The difference is friction, the jacketed bullet creates more and will reach maximum pressure before a lead bullet does.
For factory-made defense loads, in my 2, 4 or 6" .38 Special barrels, I carry the Remington 158 gr. lead semiwadcutter hollowpoint +P. From what I've read and seen on the net, in tests that seem to be impartial, it's more prone to expand well from 2" barrels.
I'm one of those who also carries my own reloads. I don't believe that a prosecutor will blast me for carrying "factory standard" reloads as long as the shooting circumstances were lawful.
"Factory standard" deserves an explanation: no multiple-projectile loads, no mercury-tipped bullets, no exploding bullets, or other nonsense. My reloads basically duplicate or slightly excell what's available over the counter.
I use the Hornady 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint over a near-maximum charge of Unique, W231, HP-38, Bullseye or similar powders. I've worked up these loads individually in my guns: one load for the 2", and another for the 4 and 6" barrels.
A trick to gain a little extra velocity and discourage leading:
The Hornady and Speer dry lubricants are okay for standard velocity, but Lee Liquid Alox works better once you get past 850 fps or so.
So, I tumble-lube the Hornady LSWCHP bullets in Lee Liquid Alox and stand them base down on a sheet of wax paper. Then I allow them to dry indoors for a couple of days.
It probably doesn't make a difference in expansion performance, but I use a tiny screwdriver to clear any lubricant from the hollow point. This is all rather tedious -- tumble-lubing, drying and clearing the hollow point -- but then, I don't usually assemble more than about 100 cartridges at a time.
For practice, I use the Hornady or Speer 158 gr. roundnosed bullet over a slightly reduced powder charge. These bullets don't get the Lee Liquid Alox treatment, but are loaded as-is.
The roundnosed bullets are not popular and are often on sale. The savings can be significant.
Last spring, at a gun show, I picked up 500 Hornady 158 gr. RNL for $25 from a private seller. Online, you can often find good deals on roundnosed Speer or Hornady bullets.
I only use them for practice against paper targets, and occasional plinking. Roundnosed bullets are also very accurate. My S&W Model 10-5, made in 1964, will cluster five bullets into a silver dollar all day long, at 25 yards from a benchrest.
If I miss the bullseye or can, it's my fault.
Lead bullets are kinder to the gun, too. Numerous studies show that a well-made .38 Special revolver can shoot 100,000 lead bullets at standard velocity without any debilitating wear.
Conversely, jacketed bullets may cause significant wear by 10,000 rounds.
Frankly, I don't see much need for jacketed bullets in the .38 Special, unless you're using the 110-125 gr. bullet against varmints.
There are always screams about leading, but this is most often the fault of the individual revolver: oversized chamber mouths, tight bore, pitted bore, undersized bullet, insufficient lubricant, bad lubricant (the rock-hard lubricants are particular offenders; the best lubricant stil remains an Alox2138/Beeswax mix), poor alignment of cylinder and barrel, insufficient forcing cone, etc.
In a well-made .38 with proper dimensions, the lead bullet will do all you need -- and do it at higher velocity if desired.
