Piwo
Member
Is there any real evidence that that one load is far better than another in the 38 special? I get that RNL is not the first choice but even that will work in a pinch if necessary. I tend to hear and read about the Gold Dot effectiveness over everything else. I can't imagine that it so much different than the offerings of other makers like the SXT or Golden Saber. In fact, what I read about the Gold Dot it is usually the oft repeated claim that NYPD was happy with it, it has a great track record, the police union likes it, etc. Does anyone have any real data? I seem to recall in one gun rag back in the 80s about how NYPD improved their track record in gunfights...but it was a change in training and techniques, not ammo. I believe they carried the same ammo as we did then, 158 grain LSWC plus p.
Since I have no idea what I'm going to run into when I walk out the door, I try to strike a balance if and when I carry a 38. For me, that is the FBI lead hollow point. Sometimes (Especially in the woods) it is a plain LSWC. If the lead hollow point doesn't expand, it is still a SWC...that will penetrate flesh most of the time. From shooting the lightweight hollow points over the years, shooting pests and various plinking objects I don't think the 38 is a reliable vehicle for jacketed hollow points in general. I can also say that I have never seen the Federal 129 Hydrashok expand in any medium, solid or liquid. I was always told how great a load it was. Having said that, the only known shooting with it on our department that I'm aware of resulted in an instant stop. It was a double tap from a snub J frame at close range. I don't know if the bullet expanded.
The Sergeant at our range years ago claimed that in the shootings involving the plus p SWC (Not hollow point) in departmental shootings never failed to stop when good hits were made. He said that to work the bullet must be well placed and penetrate. The same can be said for the most expensive and attractively packed boutique hollow point. That always stuck in my mind.
Since I have no idea what I'm going to run into when I walk out the door, I try to strike a balance if and when I carry a 38. For me, that is the FBI lead hollow point. Sometimes (Especially in the woods) it is a plain LSWC. If the lead hollow point doesn't expand, it is still a SWC...that will penetrate flesh most of the time. From shooting the lightweight hollow points over the years, shooting pests and various plinking objects I don't think the 38 is a reliable vehicle for jacketed hollow points in general. I can also say that I have never seen the Federal 129 Hydrashok expand in any medium, solid or liquid. I was always told how great a load it was. Having said that, the only known shooting with it on our department that I'm aware of resulted in an instant stop. It was a double tap from a snub J frame at close range. I don't know if the bullet expanded.
The Sergeant at our range years ago claimed that in the shootings involving the plus p SWC (Not hollow point) in departmental shootings never failed to stop when good hits were made. He said that to work the bullet must be well placed and penetrate. The same can be said for the most expensive and attractively packed boutique hollow point. That always stuck in my mind.
