Favorite 38 spl self defense load

[Well Armed]

Figured. I’ll have to get the LabRadar out and take some measurements.

I don't know why they would post numbers out of an almost 5" barrel knowing that their target audience will be carrying it in a 2"-3" barrel.

 

[Sebago Son]

Of late I've been filling up my Model 60s with the new PPU .38 load, the 158 grain SWC-Hollow Point. It's advertised velocity is 900 FPS and you can believe it. I bought a couple of cases of it.

 

[pharmer]

I feel "protected" no matter what I'm carrying. On the few occasions a full size auto might be noticed I will load the 642 with either the ^ PPU SWC load or these "Ranger" HP's that I got cheap in 2019. Joe

 

[kelljor]

Any wadcutter in the cylinder, Critical Defense in a speed strip for reload if needed. Easier to get pointy bullets into the cylinder quickly.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Must be a load of bears (and/or two-legged predators?) in The Pine Tree State to shoot up cases of LSWC-HPs being shot 5 at a time...?

Cheers!

P.S. Any idea how hard these projectiles are?

 

[taz666]

158 grain TCFP cast as 12 BHN (slippery bullets)
3.8 grains AA#2 shot out of a 4" M15
These are right at .600"

 

[millerj7]

When I was in ammo business, the 148 lead hollow base wadcutters loaded backwards sold as fast as I could make them.

That was what we used to do in the 70s., but there were reports of the "skirts" separating from the base and creating a barrel obstruction. Plus due to the preponderance of lawyers, it became frowned upon to make something that would hurt the "bad guys" (??) When Federal recently came out with essentially the same thing, but jacketed and optimized for short barrelled revolvers, it became my go-to loading.
I tried to find info on Federal's site, but it appears to have been discontinued. Luckily, I bought some extra,and there should be some still around on shelves. Here is a write-up...

https://gunsmagazine.com/ammo/federal-hst-micro-38-special-ammo-130-grain-p-jhp/

 

[harrydog]

Just speaking for myself, not convinced it is the best option, just what works for me. YMMV. Although I stand by my +P statement.

It's somewhat amusing to see how many different opinions there are and how many people seem to be convinced that their choice is the absolute best option.

Yeah, I should have worded it differently. Everyone has their opinion on what's best for them and the opinions are all over the place. There's never anything close to a consensus.

 

[JMD999]

Above but the heavy +p version. Goes 1000fps out of a snub. Best 38 special load period. Nothing even comes close.

Same, for my daily 642 (but no fun to shoot out of a 14 oz air weight) should be sweet out of his Model 19, 4” barrel.

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Home » Handgun Ammunition » Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo
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Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol and Handgun Ammo a​

SKU: 20A/20
Price:
$38.33
Qty: - +

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

Item 20A/20 is the terrific SOFT lead semi-wadcutter hollow cavity bullet; however, we've added a gas check to stop the leading that this load typically causes with other manufacturers' versions of this bullet.

The tactical reload:

Short (2 to 2.5-inch) barreled revolvers have short ejectors. Those short ejectors typically used on 2-inch to 2.5-inch barreled revolvers are not long enough to fully eject 357 Magnum brass. So if you are forced into a situation where you need to reload your weapon under fire, you will find yourself picking your fired/empty 357 brass out of the cylinder one at a time - this is very bad. On the other hand, 38SPL brass is shorter than 357 brass, and those short ejectors will often fully eject 38SPL brass. We have experimented a great deal with short-barreled revolvers and have found that 38SPL brass normally offers an advantage if you need to reload your "snub nose" revolver in a hurry.

Check out the velocities below that I fired from my personal revolvers. We believe that real-world, stock, "over-the-counter" guns give real-world results, so we don't advertise velocities that are fired from long test barrels.

These 38SPL+P loads are generating low-end 357 Magnum ballistics. If you have an older or more fragile 38SPL, or if you are recoil sensitive, consider using our HVY Standard Pressure 38SPL ammunition. It is safe to be fired in any 38SPL revolver, and it still packs much more punch than ordinary 38SPL ammo.

Item 20A: 158gr., very soft cast, semi-wad cutter, (Keith) hollow cavity, with a gas check. This bullet will mushroom violently on impact and will penetrate roughly 14 inches in human flesh. Again, this bullet is gas-checked and will not lead your barrel.

> 1,040 fps (379 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 60, 2-inch
> 1,059 fps (393 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5-inch
> 1,143 fps (458 ft. lbs.) -- Ruger SP101, 3-inch
> 1,162 fps (474 ft. lbs.) -- S&W Mt. Gun, 4-inch

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[biku324]

I use only one 38 Spl load in only one 38 Spl revolver and have since 1982; brand is immaterial as long as it is major. I usually carry 40 or 45, not often 38 any longer.