Ammunition choice - dead horse, maybe - J frames only - .38 Specials only

[Law-dog]

I always find the Lucky Gunner tests to be informative. For .38 Spl. I refer to the following, scrubbing penetration vs. expansion vs. velocity. You might find it helpful as well...
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I love the Lucky Gunner testing. That said, they do not test everything For example, the most common is 38 Special Plus P 125 grain white box ammo. Testing along side other brands with multiple 2 inch J Frames, we found it went 888-913 fps, in identical models 637. And expansion was great, as good as any on this list, and it is the cheap stuff. Fired some this week and noticed the recoil was hot from the model 637.

My point? The generic white box ammo is equal to any of the premium cost ammo. I like Supervel or other fast ammo, but have no problems with the white box ammo. I think the FBI protocols have created fear that your ammo might not be as good as some that is $3 per round, lol.

So, the debate is anything from wadcutters at the 158 grain to $3 per round ammo and people like it on both ends. Does it really matter?

 

[Smeckler]

My EDC S&W 442 is fed Remington Golden Saber 125gr +P. They're designed for reliable expansion from a snubby and the independant testing I've see shows that they do.

Hiking, fishing, or general outdoor recreation will have me carrying a Taurus 856 and that will be loaded with Underwood Hard Cast Keith 158gr +P loads.