Question on ammo for old school 38S&W

[DaGOOSExyz]

I carry a old style 38 S&W that has been in the family since bought new
in the early 1970's. It's one of the last of the 38 S&W made, a J Frame,
made by Smith and Wesson with 2 inch barrel. I don't have much
choice on ammo. Buffalo Bore 125 grain hard cast lead flat nose. Rated
around around 850 FPS and about 190 energy. OR Old Western Scrounger 38/200. They don't state it but I would call it also a flat nose hard cast lead. I read somewhere it's about 525 FPS and don't know about the energy. 200 grain is a very heavy bullet. Right now I
alternate the two of them in my revolver to have the best of light and fast and the
slow but heavy schools of thought. I would like to know if most of you think that's a good idea or should I only load with the lighter, faster
125 grain? Old West Scrounger also make a 160 grain that is like the 200 grain in all but weight. Should I consider that? One of these days I am going to
buy a 38 special but I like my little 38 S&W and for now it will do just fine. I think I may also post this on the ammo board, hope it's OK to
post on just two boards. Think this question fits well under both boards. Goose

 

[shark_za]

Obviously this is for self defence as the basic 146gr loads are good plinkers.

I would use the 125gr hard cast FN if I had to rely on one of my .38S&W's for protection. A deep penetrating caliber sized hole is as good as its gets in this weak caliber.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Charlie Askins used to like those things too, until he actually had to shoot someone with it. After that, not so much. It really is a terribly minimal round for serious self-defense. If that's all you've got, that's all you've got.

 

[Sgt.Peck]

There are some good standard velocity defensive .38 ammo out there for a J frame. Federal Hydra Shok low recoil, and I recently bought some, Hornady Critical Defense. There are some Youtube videos also testing both of these rounds.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There are some good standard velocity defensive .38 ammo out there for a J frame. Federal Hydra Shok low recoil, and I recently bought some, Hornady Critical Defense. There are some Youtube videos also testing both of these rounds.

The OP said his revolver is chambered in 38 S&W, not .38 Special... He can not fire .38 Special ammo in a 38 S&W revolver.

DaGOOSExyz,
Those Buffalo Bore 125gr rounds are not all that slow, especially for a 38 S&W round. For comparison, name brand .38 Special +P ammo loaded with a 125gr bullet generally push that bullet ~950 fps. Some of the standard pressure .38 Special ammo will generate less than 800 fps even with a 125gr bullet. A 125gr bullet @850 fps aren't all that bad. Too bad it's not a hollow point bullet. That is what I would continue to carry in your revolver.

BTW, if the ammo with the 200gr bullets is actually rated at only 525 fps the energy generated would be only 122 ft/lbs. If you could find a 200gr round doing ~650 fps the energy would match the 125gr Buffalo Bore round but with a much heavier bullet it would penetrate much better and deeper and bone would not stop it... Since I reload I can build what I need and what I like is a 170gr FN bullet with an AV of 710 fps.

 

[DaGOOSExyz]

Thanks to all for your comments. ArchAngelCD is correct that this is a 38S&W, not a 38 special. As far as I know the three ammo's I listed
are all that's available for sale. (not counting the 146 grain round nose
that everyone says is not for self defense). Thanks ArchAngelCD, your
comments are helpful. Goose

 

[HeyJoe]

Fiocchi makes 145 gr full metal jacket at 780 fps = 196 fpe

 

[358156hp]

Of your two choices, I'd use the Buffalo Bore load if I were in your situation. The OWS 38-200 load that you looked at is simply a copy of the original round-nose British military loading, and the bullet is too pointy to use for self-defense when something better is available. The BB load is using a more modern semi-wadcutter design, and would be the better stopper of the two.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

I highly recommend you reload this round. The potential is there for satisfactory (not great) SD load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I highly recommend you reload this round. The potential is there for satisfactory (not great) SD load.

I agree and I disagree. I agree this is a cartridge that should be handloaded but I disagree you can achieve only a satisfactory SD load. Since the OP is shooting a S&W J frame he can load quite a bit heavier than any factory ammo on the market today which has to take into consideration that ammo might be shot in a weak top-break action made by H&R or other lesser makers.

A Terrier in 38 S&W is just as strong as any of the older .38 Special J frames so you can safely shoot 38 S&W ammo that's loaded right up against the pressure limits.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have a chronograph and both .38 S&W revolvers and .380 automatics and I'd feel better about carrying a .38 S&W revolver loaded with either of the loads the OP mentions over any .380 ACP load made.

It is possible to get around 700 fps from a 200 grain bullet in a solid-frame .38 S&W snub. Since I'm willing to carry handloads for personal defense I could live with such a combination.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/323894-cartridge-discussion-38-s-w-ghost-bygone-times.html

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Compared to a 95gr 380 Auto bullet a 200gr 38 S&W bullet has so much more sectional density it's amazing! The 200gr bullet will not be deflected by bone like the 95gr bullet will and it will push through to the vitals much more reliably.

 

[claybrdr]

Can the 38 S&W be reloaded using 38 Spl dies?

 

[DaGOOSExyz]

Thanks for the interest and comments guys. I feel OK about carrying
my 38S&W. Even with the manufactured ammo. I plan on buying a
more powerful gun in the next few months. Thanks again. Goose

 

[Sgt.Peck]

The OP said his revolver is chambered in 38 S&W, not .38 Special... He can not fire .38 Special ammo in a 38 S&W revolver.


Sorry for my mistake.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Can the 38 S&W be reloaded using 38 Spl dies?

No, you need to buy 38 S&W dies.
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 38 S&W
Lyman Carbide 3-Die Set 38 S&W 38 Super Auto

RCBS has a set of 38 S&W dies marked Cowboy Dies but they are priced higher than most.

 

[ddixie884]

Some load 148gr wad cutters out to the same oal as .38spl and use .38spl charges in same. This only in solid frame revolvers, no break tops. See below........