Best round for sw J frame airweight

[rfssylvan]

Any suggestions for the bullet weight and type for a ccw sw 638 airweight J frame. At the range it seems to shoot fmJ and hollow point fine. I plan to carry strong inside waist band.

 

[blues7]

I carry Winchester Ranger #RA38B...bonded 130gr +P in a 642-1.

Gets a thumbs up from Dr. Gary K. Roberts along with a few other rounds:

Currently, the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +P JHP, Winchester 130 gr bonded +P JHP (RA38B), and Barnes 110 gr XPB all copper JHP (for ex. in the Corbon DPX loading) offer the most reliable expansion we have seen from a .38 sp 2" BUG; Hornady 110 gr standard pressure and +P Critical Defense loads also offer good performance out of 2" barrel revolvers.

 

[Highhawk1948]

I use Remington Golden Sabre

 

[Ray1970]

I like the standard pressure stuff in the j-frames. I used to carry the Federal Nyclad. Not even sure if they still make it.

 

[Rpg]

I'm unimpressed by 'expanding' bullets in handguns generally and even more so in snubbies.

I prefer hard cast 158 gr swc bullets in my handloaded ammo at standard pressures in my M38s. An effective alternative is the standard 148 gr wc target load.

Both offer nice sharp cutting shoulders creating great sound canals and are quite effective in sd situations.

 

[silversnake]

Either a +P JHP or wadcutters for the recoil sensitive. I'm of the opinion bullet weight is not that important at common defense ranges, so long as it shoots close to point of aim.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I roll my own...

 

[Richard Simmons]

158gr LSWC/LSWCHP moving as fast as you can shoot accurately. If it's +P or not is irrelevant.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Buffalo Bore 158 lead SWC HP in either non or +P. The bullet is made out of soft lead and is gas checked. I get well over 1,000 FPS out of my 640 Pro with BB +P offering. So to re-cap, heavy soft hollow point with cutting shoulders moving at over 1000 FPS out of a 2" revolver. I don't trust light bullets that may or may not expand at 2" velocities.

 

[mj2008]

Speer Gold Dots

 

[regalsc]

Good or bad right or wrong Hornady CD 110g +p out of my 337ti AirLITE that's RIGHT AiR LITE not AirWEIGHT.

 

[civil1977]

Speer Gold Dots

This. The short barrel versions are meant for these guns.

 

[damienph]

I carry 125gr JHP +P in my 360J.

 

[eb07]

Speer gold dot 135gr sb

 

[ContinentalOp]

There have been lots of threads on this topic, so I'd suggest doing a search if you haven't already.

My own personal preference is for the Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P. It performs well in my gun and has established a good track record in actual shootings. Look for the 50-round boxes for the best value. They're produced in cycles so availability can be spotty. It's best to get on the e-mail list for a good online vendor so you can be notified when they're in stock.

A close second would be the FBI load, i.e. 158gr LHP or LSWCHP +P. My preferred version is Buffalo Bore's standard pressure load (it actually has the same velocity as other makers' +P versions). The FBI load, in general, has also established a good track record in actual shootings.

In general, I prefer medium-to-heavy HP bullets. In .38 Special that'd be 125-158gr. Terminal ballistics are an important consideration, but not as important as your ability to get good, quick hits on target.

Just my opinion.

 

[mgriffin]

I like/use Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P in my 442. I usually buy them in the 50 rd. box.

 

[shooter1911]

Dr Gary Roberts seems to be the guy who has done the most extensive testing in the lab and on the street these days, Check out his results and choose one that you think meets your criteria. I have been carrying the Speer 135gr +P for years based on street shooting by LE, but now there is a pretty long list of good choices. Check it out:

Bad Request

 

[m41]

For my wife she uses the Hornady critical defense lite. Pink label

 

[rfssylvan]

Thanks guys...there are some listed i need to get and take to the range...got to practice with the actual stuff...

 

[rwsmith]

They were before their time...

I like the standard pressure stuff in the j-frames. I used to carry the Federal Nyclad. Not even sure if they still make it.

Nowadays a coated soft lead SWHP is the closest thing.