I carry Silvertips in my .38 Super. They shoot well and I strongly suspect they will do the job if you can hit what you are aiming at with them.
BEST .38 Super defensive ammo
- Thread starter Rockman
- Start date
Groo01
Member
Groo here
As with most older rounds, the 38super is loaded down in the US.
The original loading , 130gr fmj at 1300fps , can still be found in some
imported ammo but the US companies seem to stay around 9mm +p
or +p+ range.
BB,Double Tap, Corbon, Underwood and some others use modern powder and exceed these loadings.
As noted 357max is now 357mag-357mag is now 38-44, 38spec is
maybe 38+p And on,and on, and on!!!!!!!
As with most older rounds, the 38super is loaded down in the US.
The original loading , 130gr fmj at 1300fps , can still be found in some
imported ammo but the US companies seem to stay around 9mm +p
or +p+ range.
BB,Double Tap, Corbon, Underwood and some others use modern powder and exceed these loadings.
As noted 357max is now 357mag-357mag is now 38-44, 38spec is
maybe 38+p And on,and on, and on!!!!!!!
People try to give the silver tip bullet a bad rap due to the FBI Florida shoot out...............
They even bad mouth the load for its lower fps vs "Modern" ammo that is a little faster.
The fact is.................
at 8 to 15 feet this load has all the SD power and bullet expansion that you will ever need.
Not shooting 50 yards at bad guys with bullet proof vest, be it a 9mm or 38 special.
It may be a "Minimal" carry load but it can do the job if the shooters do their part with good shot placement................... and the 38 Super has plenty of velocity to get the job done.
They even bad mouth the load for its lower fps vs "Modern" ammo that is a little faster.
The fact is.................
at 8 to 15 feet this load has all the SD power and bullet expansion that you will ever need.
Not shooting 50 yards at bad guys with bullet proof vest, be it a 9mm or 38 special.
It may be a "Minimal" carry load but it can do the job if the shooters do their part with good shot placement................... and the 38 Super has plenty of velocity to get the job done.
38 Super Ammo...Best defensive ammo
The best deal for the money right now and a very good load for a defensive round would be Georgia Arms...The Speer Bonded HP 124 gr. @1350 fps
$51.50 for 100 rnds. They did a 147gr. Speer Bonded HP @ 1200 fps
years ago. I still have a little stash left.
All the others are all good too..But for the price GA is hard to beat!!!!!
I have tried all the others too and have most of them on hand now.
If it goes in my gun for carry, I have ran at least several boxes before hand and several more over time.
Right now my load for carry in my full size Colt is the GA 147gr. GDHP.
Next would be the Win 125gr. STHP, only for the fact that I have a lot
of this on hand. If I needed to buy new, GA 124gr. Speer GDHP would be
my choice for the money.
The best deal for the money right now and a very good load for a defensive round would be Georgia Arms...The Speer Bonded HP 124 gr. @1350 fps
$51.50 for 100 rnds. They did a 147gr. Speer Bonded HP @ 1200 fps
years ago. I still have a little stash left.
All the others are all good too..But for the price GA is hard to beat!!!!!
I have tried all the others too and have most of them on hand now.
If it goes in my gun for carry, I have ran at least several boxes before hand and several more over time.
Right now my load for carry in my full size Colt is the GA 147gr. GDHP.
Next would be the Win 125gr. STHP, only for the fact that I have a lot
of this on hand. If I needed to buy new, GA 124gr. Speer GDHP would be
my choice for the money.
I've been a fan of the .38 Super for several years now. It started when a friend sold me an old Sig P220 euro model. It was a laser beam, and I quickly began loading my own for it. I later sold it to a very good friend when I stumbled across this one for a song. It was still unfired by the original owner. It doesn't suffer from that affliction anymore. I had a very nice Colt Government Model, but I recently sold it to finance a 657-4 3".
A Sig P220-1. My chief has one still NIB he purchased new back in the '90s.
A Sig P220-1. My chief has one still NIB he purchased new back in the '90s.
I have a Star Modelo Super chambered in 9mm Bergmann-Bayard (9mm Largo), and I stoke it with Silvertips when its rotation as house gun comes up. It's as accurate as my Model 10s, and shows no evidence of excessive anything on the recovered brass. The ST 125gr HP consistently outshoots the 130gr FMJ, either W-W or R-P, at least in my pistol. I would be quite confident w/this load in a SD situation.
After some initial "plunk tests", I found that the STs would headspace on the mouth, but would kind of "wedge" in the chamber without the relief in the barrel hood. After cutting a very minor relief, I expected the cartridge to go deep, but found that it stopped just flush w/the hood, just as the Blazer and Spanish milsurp Largos do. Big-fun pistol, and reliable enough for defense.
Larry
After some initial "plunk tests", I found that the STs would headspace on the mouth, but would kind of "wedge" in the chamber without the relief in the barrel hood. After cutting a very minor relief, I expected the cartridge to go deep, but found that it stopped just flush w/the hood, just as the Blazer and Spanish milsurp Largos do. Big-fun pistol, and reliable enough for defense.
Larry
Last edited:
Murdock
Member
My choice is the Corbon 124 DPX.
SuperMan
Member
...scott...selling a Super to finance a 3" 657...you are my kinda guy!!!
I need to try some of that GA ammo with the 124 grain Gold Dot HP bullets...I really like the way they hold together out of a .357 SIG...
Bob
I need to try some of that GA ammo with the 124 grain Gold Dot HP bullets...I really like the way they hold together out of a .357 SIG...
Bob
I have an old stash of ammo for my Colt Lightweight Commander and my Springfield 5".I have a box of black talons in .38 super(in a reload case the box was gone)that I won't shoot(part of the black talon collection).Aside from having many brands of ball I have the Corbon 115gr jhp that states 1425 fps and 519ft/lbs.I wouldn't want to get hit with it.
I have personally put ball ammo through the windshield of a junk car and through the door as well.Love the round.
I have personally put ball ammo through the windshield of a junk car and through the door as well.Love the round.
SuperMan
Member
...never knew that Winchester made BTs in .38 Super...you sure they are not reloads???
Bob
Bob
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