Best 38 Special Ammo for Snubbies:

[john17427]

I wouldn't feel at a disadvantage with either HST, Gold Dot, Critical Defense, FBI loads, or my own home brewed 158gr XTP +P's. I figure they'll do their part if I do mine. In snub's I usually have HST or Gold Dot Short Barrel; in the 64 it's usually my 158gr +P's.

 

[scottr]

Handguns are incapable of causing a permanent wound channel. Only long guns will.

Um…I do not think that means what you think it means.

 

[50 target]

I worked in the banking industry most of my work life. Lending large sums of money to different business types, etc,etc. Analyzing income streams, cash flows, debt service, global debt service, ad nauseum to the point you were in a mental fog. What we called "paralysis by analysis".
There are so many variables to be considered in this discussion to overcome that trying to have one solution for all is overwhelming. I have seen enough unexplainable craziness as a Reserve Deputy when it comes to shootings that I have come to the conclusion that the "best" is whatever I have in my handgun when I needed it. A 12 ga pump was was always next to me when I rode.. FBI agent Mirellis(sic) who ended the Miami shootout was asked what advice he would give his LEO brothers. His reply was "carry just as much ammo as you possibly can".

 

[38SPL HV]

I rely on standard velocity 38 Spl in my S&W Airweight 1 7/8 " snubs nowadays …good load is 4.0 grs W231 under a 158 gr cast SWC. In four inch, I'll use Remington's 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP…anything less than four inches will not get you the velocity needed for expansion with the 158 gr LHP…in this case penetration reigns supreme.

 

[38SPL HV]

Load with Full Wadcutters (DEWC). Speed-loaders with 158 Gr RNL…yes, that's right for snub noses…loads quickly also

 

[downzero1911]

Recently bought a 642 Pro and bought Federal 130gr Hydra +P to go with it. They had some Hornady something at the shop and something else I didn't recognize (I've been away from the industry for 9 years). It may not be the best choice I made, but I don't think I could find a person willing to be hit with it.

 

[RevV67]

"Best" is personal. What's best for some isn't for others.
For my family access first floor hidden gun, I use Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special 110gr (NOT the +P) because the gun is there for my wife and daughter as well as me.

The 38 I carry a lot currently has Lehigh XD bullets loaded by Black Hills. I also like the 135 gr. GD, but all I have of those are my hand loads, and I generally prefer to carry a factory-produced rd.

Since nothing expands well 100% of the time from a snubby, I see the wisdom in carrying 148 gr. WC, especially ones with higher velocity, but I have never carried them. A few years from now, if I develop hand arthritis, they might be my EDC. 148 gr. WC penetrate well and have far less recoil than any common commercial defensive ammo.

 

[Riposte1]

If I get down to depending on a .38 (which I do like!) it will be because I either ran out of ammo or lost my .45!

But almost invarably it will have Buffalo Bore Ourdoorsman - a 158 at ~1000 fps from my 1 7/8" 36 -



I am currently rethinking my carry load-out - perhaps one "expander" and the rest "solids" (perhaps 2 in high-cap guns but I seldom carry those).

Riposte

 

[BE FAST]

I would prefer Fed HST, but it's been discontinued. Instead Federal has pushed out Federal Punch, 120gr +P, listed at 1000fps. This new round does open as wide as your typical HST, but it does penetrate a little deeper and opens up still impressively. I use it in my 342 M&P and Model 19 Classic!

 

[scottr]

Since Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P (not the Short Barrel loading) was specifically designed to meet FBI tests out of a 1 7/8" S&W barrel, that's good enough for me.

 

[Fastbolt]

Since Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P (not the Short Barrel loading) was specifically designed to meet FBI tests out of a 1 7/8" S&W barrel, that's good enough for me.

This is from the original Tech Data Package that was available online for a while ...