Best Defense load in 38 SPL for old revolvers (not +P)

[brushy bill]

Thoughts on the best defense round (non +P) for 38 spl?

Normally, would say the FBI Load, but looking at a non +P load.

 

[Treeman]

Buffalo Bore has a standard pressure "FBI" load that just about matches the velocity of the big makers +P. I have some non +P handloads that pretty well match that performance level. That is my answer.......well part of it-I also think a full velocity wadcutter has a lot to recommend it-Buffalo Bore offers one of those also. I load my own.

 

[Milpolice]

Defense Loads for .38 cal

Try the new 125 gr. Nylon Clad (NYClad HP) bullet from Federal Ammo that was recently "reintroduced". I understand it's supposed to be the best for defense, especially in the small snubnose revolvers.

 

[Hunt200]

Try the new 158 gr. Nylon Clad (NYClad HP) bullet from Federal Ammo that was recently "reintroduced". I understand it's supposed to be the best for defense, especially in the small snubnose revolvers.

The new Nyclads released are 125 grain, I don't think they are making the 158s anymore. I have the 125s and use them in my M60.

 

[flop-shank]

As others have said, BB std. pressure FBI, and Nyclad are good. 148 gr. target wadcutters are also highly regarded. Use that which you and your gun shoot best with.

 

[p0838]

Here are BB"s loadings


Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWC-HC (850fps/M.E. 253 ft. lbs.)


FBI Load
.38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.)

 

[cocojo]

I just started using the new critical defense 110 non +P. Good accuracy, moderate recoil, and from what I have read good ballistics in bare gell at 12 inches of penetration and 14 inches in cloth covered. Mid forties on expansion. For a non +P that's pretty good results. Velocity is running high 800's in a s&w snubby. That should be enough to punch through bone.

 

[Spotteddog]

My Wife's 342PD is running their full wads, seen on this page
Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Hvy .38 Spl (Non + P) Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

I wouldn't hesitate to run any of their stuff, in fact i do!
Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[motorpat]

Hornady Critical Defense Ammo

Hornady Critical Defense Ammo 38spl this will work in an old small frame 38spl. If you want to go retro go with 158gr SWC or sometimes called the FBI round. I have an old Model 60 (purchased in Dec.,1968) and sometime shoot the Hornady in it.

 

[badge 851]

Thoughts on the best defense round (non +P) for 38 spl?

Normally, would say the FBI Load, but looking at a non +P load.

As others have suggested, the Buffalo Bore® Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo is the load to carry in a snubnose 38. It produces ⅓ more energy than the reintroduced Federal® Nyclad™. Both my wife & I carry this load in our snubnose guns. POA/POI are virtually the same at any discernable distance.

 

[nitesite]

Buffalo Bore 20C is a great choice.

So is a 148-gr DEWC over 5.0-gr of Unique and a Federal 100.

 

[dano1200r]

How about Federal Prem. 110gr. Hydrashok JHP's in a Mod 64, no dash, 4" pencil barell? Too light? Maybe use them only in the 642 snubby?

 

[Red Tex]

I like the Buffalo Bore 158gr hollow point load for my old Model 37 snub. Stiff recoil, but it's a very good round.

 

[The Rabbi]

Blue Bunny 200gr Super Police.
You wont get much expansion (if any) at standard velocities in a .38spc.

 

[chief38]

I just chronographed BB 158 (heavy) +P SWCHP-GC out of my actual carry gun (a 2" model 60 chief spl.) and the results were better than advertised. The average vel. was 1024 fps. which would relate to about 360 ft/lbs of energy from a 2" BARREL.. I also cronographed their standard pressure (NON +P) 158 gr. swchp out of the same gun and the average vel. was 866; again a bit higher than advertised; and better than what the FBI +P loadings (from Win. Rem & Fed) chronagraped! What impressed me even more was the consistency of the ammo. The difference between the high and the low shots were only 8 ft/sec which is unbelievable. The recoil from their +P was a bit heavier than the standard FBI loads from the big three, but nothing horrible. Just make sure you practice with the ammo you carry, so you know what to expect should you ever have to drop the hammer on a bad guy.

 

[BreakerDan]

I heard rumors that Speer made a standard pressure 125gr Gold Dot.
They also make +P, but here is the standard pressure loading in
a box of 50 for $25!

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr GDHP Ammo [53722] - $24.95

 

[cocojo]

Speer does make a 125 standard non +P,but it won't expand out of a 2 inch. Go to speers site and law enforcement, it's in there. I have a couple of boxes,but you might a well use a Non +P swc. I think it's code a 57322. My thoughts on this buffalo bore ammo is I think it's too hot and in time even non +P rounds are going to loosen upguns. You may not have high +P pressure but the recoil and battering is still there. 866 with a 158 is hotter than a remington 158 SWCHP +P. Il stick with standard velocity rounds I like my old colts too much.

 

[redlevel]

So is a 148-gr DEWC over 5.0-gr of Unique and a Federal 100.

Do you load those flush with the case mouth, or do you crimp on one of the crimping grooves, leaving just a little of the bullet exposed?

I ask because I load a similar load. I always load the 5 grain load with a little of the bullet exposed so I can readily distinguish them from the lighter target WC loads. Is there any reason not to do this?

 

[Spotteddog]

Not as long as they're adequately crimped to prevent recoil from allowing them to move. Especially if they're being run out of an AirLite gun like my Wife's 342. I figure if it's good enough for these folks to do
Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
(hit the view larger image)
it's good enough for my reloads, too!
I never thought to use it as a method to ID the rounds though?
Thanks!

 

[flop-shank]

Those Buff B wads are a neat niche load. Kudos to them for making them.

I use a .38 wadcutter handload for my wife's gun. I heavy crimp all my handloads and since the powder is IMR PB and ignites inconsistently without a good crimp, that's one more reason to put the big squeeze on them. I use 148 gr. Rainier dual ended plated wads, seat them a little proud and press the case mouth right into the bullet with my Lee FCD. Of interest is that I don't know how fast they're going. I tweeked the load around penetration depth in Perma-Gel. As you can see there can be several reasons to seat a wadcutter a little high.