Horace & Daniel
Member
Speaking of the awesome Model 38, I use Buffalo Bore standard pressure in mine.
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'best' non +p defense load for .38 SPL snubby
- Thread starter kmrcstintn
- Start date
I love tnoutdoors9, but that test is a single data point, and I have yet to find any major, popular defense load that hasn't had at least one failure in the FBI protocols or similar tests. And in this case, "failure" means it penetrated 1" past protocol numbers; I can live with that in a good shoot.
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Boogsawaste
Member
For my non .357 mag airweight snubs I use hard cast 148 wadcutters for non +p. They're loaded hotter than hbwc. I'm not going to put my loadings down but they are similar to a "standard" 158 swc load from the old days with unique and seated to the same depth inside the case.
Me personally, I just don't trust hollow points to have the speed necessary to expand out of a snub. Especially at non +p. This is my opinion though and I respect every one's own opinion to feel comfortable with what they carry. I believe a properly expanded and deep penetrating hollow point is better than a wadcutter of course. But I also feel a deep penetrating hard cast wadcutter is better than a fmj (like a failed to open hollow point acts).
Me personally, I just don't trust hollow points to have the speed necessary to expand out of a snub. Especially at non +p. This is my opinion though and I respect every one's own opinion to feel comfortable with what they carry. I believe a properly expanded and deep penetrating hollow point is better than a wadcutter of course. But I also feel a deep penetrating hard cast wadcutter is better than a fmj (like a failed to open hollow point acts).
Biggfoot44
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The Cult Favority of many years is the 125 Nyclad, but the availability is spotty at best. Search out a box , and use sparingly for actual carry.
I haven't used any yet , the above mentioned Win " Defend " seems very promising in gel testing I've read, and probably as good as any of the other commonly available non +P jhps .
Old School aproach #1 - aka my feelings. 5 rds of +P 158 LHP to test POI , and 5rd for actual carry.( Or 135 Gold Dot if inclined).
Old School aproach #2 - a signifigent double digit percentage of old timers discount the idea of anything expanding from a 2in , and , and use a 158 std vel swc , and rely on control and penetration. Similar school of thought as carrying fmj in a .380 . I don't totally buy into this , but, I won't expend much effort to debate any out of it.
The rest of the question is , are you seeking std pressure only to be kind to the gun , or is it deliberate to moderate the recoil in a light gun for better control ? If the later , somthing like the Buffalo Bore might be std pressure per se , but will have recoil similar to the conventional +P versions.
I haven't used any yet , the above mentioned Win " Defend " seems very promising in gel testing I've read, and probably as good as any of the other commonly available non +P jhps .
Old School aproach #1 - aka my feelings. 5 rds of +P 158 LHP to test POI , and 5rd for actual carry.( Or 135 Gold Dot if inclined).
Old School aproach #2 - a signifigent double digit percentage of old timers discount the idea of anything expanding from a 2in , and , and use a 158 std vel swc , and rely on control and penetration. Similar school of thought as carrying fmj in a .380 . I don't totally buy into this , but, I won't expend much effort to debate any out of it.
The rest of the question is , are you seeking std pressure only to be kind to the gun , or is it deliberate to moderate the recoil in a light gun for better control ? If the later , somthing like the Buffalo Bore might be std pressure per se , but will have recoil similar to the conventional +P versions.
OP
kmrcstintn
Member
thanks all...some of the loads mentioned are already in my stash, but getting new input is helpful; my stash...Federal Nyclad 125gr (can't find anymore), Hornady Critical Defense Lite (leftover from a derringer I had for a short while), Speer Gold Dot 135gr +p (newest addition), Remington lswchp 158gr +p (had a good while, but dislike lead fouling);
leaning toward the Hornady Critical Defense 110gr more than the new Winchester Defend 130gr but I'll research both some more before choosing...
leaning toward the Hornady Critical Defense 110gr more than the new Winchester Defend 130gr but I'll research both some more before choosing...
Penn Bullets
Custom, hardcast 148 gr double ended wad cutter.
5 gr or more of Unique.
It's all about the meplat.
Custom, hardcast 148 gr double ended wad cutter.
5 gr or more of Unique.
It's all about the meplat.
