Favorite 38 spl self defense load
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Ever since Massad Ayoob wrote his article about how Speer developed the Gold Dot 135g. 38+P 38 special round for the NYPD, I've cried it. The NYPD stated it performed well from 2" and 4" barrels. They said it was good at stopping Bad Guys. That was actual shooting street results. Not jello not water tests.
I'll probably be a minority here, but when I carry a .38 it's loaded with plain-jane 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters. Not even powder coated.
From a 2 inch snubby there is only one load for me... Buffalo Bore non +p 158gr LSWHP. Honest 850 fps from a 2" barrel.
4"? Probably the Buffalo Bore +p 158gr LSWHP. Honest 1050 fps from a 2.5" barrel. Yea S&W 19 2 1/2 inch snub... the only 4 inch bbl revolvers I use are .357s and .44s.
4"? Probably the Buffalo Bore +p 158gr LSWHP. Honest 1050 fps from a 2.5" barrel. Yea S&W 19 2 1/2 inch snub... the only 4 inch bbl revolvers I use are .357s and .44s.
HardToHandle
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Depending on your housing situation or if you carry outside the home, these days it would make sense to use jacketed metallic coated bullet. Anything around cars might make a jacketed and bonded round to be the relative "best".
I feel Chris Baker's summary and discussion on Lucky Gunner is a solid place to start,
Feed Your Revolver: .38 Spl & .357 Mag Ballistics Gel Test Overview - Lucky Gunner Lounge
Earlier this week, we posted the results of our ballistic gelatin testing for 38 different self-defense loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Each load was te
www.luckygunner.com
I say a place to start as finding a certain desired .38 special cartridge is sure hard these days. Sometimes second or third options may be the winner.
Above but the heavy +p version. Goes 1000fps out of a snub. Best 38 special load period. Nothing even comes close.
In my 2" the Hornady critical defense non plus P 110 grain FTX
In 4" the Federal 158 grain LSWCHP loads. Still have some of the nyclad ones.
In 4" the Federal 158 grain LSWCHP loads. Still have some of the nyclad ones.
I'm sure the ones we've posted here aren't the only ones that will do the job. A lot of people lately have been posting about the wad cutter loads for the penetration. I just found a test the other day for the 130 grain flat nose standard Winchester 38 special. The tester said it was good for shooting through barriers and he got a penetration of 18 inches in jell. I guess no matter what bullet what ammo we choose putting that bullet in the right place wins overall.
Well yes. In a 4" or all steel gun. But I can tell you the BB +P load is very hard to control in a airweight S&W .38!! Now maybe in a 2 inch 64 or better yet 2 1/2 66 like this one...
Yea my 66-4 I retro fitted flash chrome trigger and hammer... I most certainly use it!!!! It is not a safe queen.
For the house 160gr cast soft lead hollow point around 850fps. Backed up with a 45/70 marlin. fiber wad #9 shot topped with a 45gr pure lead ball crimped. 9gr of blue dot. Good to 25-30 yrds.
oberon
Member
Federal NyClad 148 gr HP.
eclayton
Member
From a 4" K frame I like the Underwood 158gr +p LSWCHP. Similar to the Buffalo Bore, but about 100 fps faster and also less smoky and leaves less fouling.
Grayfox
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I like the old standard "FBI" Load. 158 gr LSWCHP +P. Worked well for a lot of cops for a lot of years. Several different companies make it. The ones I have right now are Federal.
A semi wadcutter with that sharp shoulder chopping through flesh is an under rated advantage to my way of thinking. The old timers said it had more "shock" than a rounder bullet and was much more affective on game or criminals.
From a 1.87 inch, I load 148-150 gr. Hot hard cast wadcutters. Hornady Critical Defense FTX for reloads. Why? I'm in NJ four weeks a year. And a 53 year history of wadcutter practice.
4", anything that fits. Haven't carried a 3 or 4 inch since I retired 23 years ago
4", anything that fits. Haven't carried a 3 or 4 inch since I retired 23 years ago
Are you sure that round ball is 45 grains? Mine are .454 and are 140-145 grains. I load the same in my Marlin 1895, in 410 but use a .360 ball.
For reference, I tested two new models, 637, both purchased the same day with a box of white box 38 Plus P 125 grain. The barrels are 1 7/8. One gun averaged 888 fps the other 913 fps, same ammo, same day.
So, a 2 inch get about 900 fps from the 125 grain white box which actually expands very well cheap ammo you can get anywhere.
I have tried lots of 38 and chose the Critical Defense for my wife to carry, but I do not care if the gun is a 38. I carried the J frame in harms way and in law enforcement as a primary and as a backup for many years and have finished of deer and shot lots of critters with the 38.
That said, at 38 velocities, I do not think it matters. Any 125 Plus P or any 158 grain load wadcutter or flat point bullet works for me. Those train and defend loads are great also.
If I want more, I have 2.5 and 3 inch guns in 357/,,
So, a 2 inch get about 900 fps from the 125 grain white box which actually expands very well cheap ammo you can get anywhere.
I have tried lots of 38 and chose the Critical Defense for my wife to carry, but I do not care if the gun is a 38. I carried the J frame in harms way and in law enforcement as a primary and as a backup for many years and have finished of deer and shot lots of critters with the 38.
That said, at 38 velocities, I do not think it matters. Any 125 Plus P or any 158 grain load wadcutter or flat point bullet works for me. Those train and defend loads are great also.
If I want more, I have 2.5 and 3 inch guns in 357/,,
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My choice is a bit dated...probably should shoot them up and get something a little "fresher"? If I recall this was claimed to be the last .38 Special load the FBI issued.
Sorry 45 cal
Speer Gold Dot 135gr jhp in all of my 2", 3" and 4" revolvers.
The old 158 grain round nose lead bullets are surprisingly effective (They upset in soft tissue.) and have a low chance of ricochet or over penetration. Semi-wadcutters are effective, too, but don't reload (The need to reload is, IMO, increasing in our world.) as easily (ie quickly) as round nose.
Well Armed
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Underwood 158 gr. 38 +P Keith Hardcast. Carried in my Ruger LCR or S&W 686+ 2.5".
walkin' trails
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I'm getting a little more recoil-sensitive as I go and find that some +P in small, steel frame guns is a bit more stout than I prefer. Case in point, I recently acquired some new mfg Federal 158 grain LSWCHP +P for my steel Js. I've got a couple boxes of that load made by Winchester, buts it's pretty old. Anyway, from my 640, the Federal was as bad as .357 Magnum in a J. I had also taken some of the Winchester to the range and it's its recoil impulse was a lot less. I started running it thru my four inch Model 19-5 and it was still potent so will likely use it for that gun and my 66-1. Hopefullybthe forcing cones are safe.
Anyway, I have never fired any of the Gold Dot Short Barrel stuff, so I'm a little skeptical of how it handles. My main carry revolver is an old 640 .38 Special. I used to fire Hydra Shok 147 grain +p+ in it on a regular basis and the spank was less than the Federal LSWCHP. Other than that, it's probably a personal problem and I'll likely go shopping for some wadcutters from Buffalo Bore or Georgia Arms.
Presently, the 640 is loaded up with some Critical Defense 110 +p I've had on hand but don't care for it due to perceived accuracy issues. I'm going back to a range and work with it to see if it just POA out to 25 better than I remember. I haven't shot any 130 grain hollow points, but picked up a couple of white box 130 grain FMJ flat points accuracy was surprisingly on the money and recoil was decent for a training round.
Obviously, I want a minimum of 12 inches of gel penetration and POA accuracy all the way out to 25 yards. I don't consider that criteria a o be unachievable in this day and age despite everyone saying it's all over at five yard.
Anyway, I have never fired any of the Gold Dot Short Barrel stuff, so I'm a little skeptical of how it handles. My main carry revolver is an old 640 .38 Special. I used to fire Hydra Shok 147 grain +p+ in it on a regular basis and the spank was less than the Federal LSWCHP. Other than that, it's probably a personal problem and I'll likely go shopping for some wadcutters from Buffalo Bore or Georgia Arms.
Presently, the 640 is loaded up with some Critical Defense 110 +p I've had on hand but don't care for it due to perceived accuracy issues. I'm going back to a range and work with it to see if it just POA out to 25 better than I remember. I haven't shot any 130 grain hollow points, but picked up a couple of white box 130 grain FMJ flat points accuracy was surprisingly on the money and recoil was decent for a training round.
Obviously, I want a minimum of 12 inches of gel penetration and POA accuracy all the way out to 25 yards. I don't consider that criteria a o be unachievable in this day and age despite everyone saying it's all over at five yard.
larry8
Member
I don't know what bullets are in my 38, I have loaded it with whatever I had around a year or so ago. I'm sure that I bought a box of bullets based on price and that is what is in the gun. I figure that any bullet that I shoot at the bad guy will do the job.
Walkin' trails, I'm using a 442 and 340PD these days and find the Georgia Arms 148 gr. wadcutter very controllable with 3 shot strings. The BB is hotter so try both and compare groups and speed.
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