Knightrider03m
Member
110 grain low recoil Federal Hydra-Shok
What defensive ammo are you carrying in your J frame?
- Thread starter Eagle1*
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flop-shank
US Veteran
I wish I could share more than "I kind of, sort of remember something", but we've discussed that load here before and I don't think it's a very good one. IIRC it's very weak. Perhaps others who've used and tested the stuff (BreakerDan maybe?) will weigh in.
If you want a low recoil load I would use target wadcutters. They will penetrate deep, have more weight to defeat heavy bone, deliver excellent accuracy and come at a much lower price point. The recoil is so low that follow up shots are almost machinegun-like in practiced hands.
Lobogunleather has shared that in the course of his law enforcrment career, he attended the autopsy of a man shot with a target wadcutter. Both he and the pathologist were highly impressed. Jim Cirillo spoke highly of wadcutters as well.
Just some food for thought, and FWIW I trust them enough to put them in my wife's gun.
The 110gr HS consistently fails to expand when passing through heavy clothing, and consistently underpenetrates when it does expand.
For a low recoil load I'd go with wadcutters as mentioned, or the non +P Hornady FTX.
For a low recoil load I'd go with wadcutters as mentioned, or the non +P Hornady FTX.
thedogfather
Member
I had been carrying .38 special 158 grain LSWCHP +P in my 649. These are Federal. They seem to target well. Somewhere along the line, I thought I remembered reading that Federal uses a harder cast lead bullet than, say Remington, so they don't expand very well when coming out of a shorter barrel. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?
wsl1971
Member
Winchester 38+p 130grn sxt in my 642.
BILL
BILL
Philvis
Member
That is what my 442 and 4" Model 64 are loaded with...as well as my speed loaders and speed strips.
Knightrider03m
Member
I wish I could share more than "I kind of, sort of remember something", but we've discussed that load here before and I don't think it's a very good one. IIRC it's very weak. Perhaps others who've used and tested the stuff (BreakerDan maybe?) will weigh in.
If you want a low recoil load I would use target wadcutters. They will penetrate deep, have more weight to defeat heavy bone, deliver excellent accuracy and come at a much lower price point. The recoil is so low that follow up shots are almost machinegun-like in practiced hands.
Lobogunleather has shared that in the course of his law enforcrment career, he attended the autopsy of a man shot with a target wadcutter. Both he and the pathologist were highly impressed. Jim Cirillo spoke highly of wadcutters as well.
Just some food for thought, and FWIW I trust them enough to put them in my wife's gun.
I don't know too much about .38 rounds and I'm open to new ammo ideas. I picked those up under the idea that since its a short barrel, I would want something that won't kick that much and I didn't spend as much time researching the ammo like I've did with my 9mm carry ammo.
In light of this info, I'm going to research the rounds that I carry now and the rounds that has been listed to see what would work with me.
LOBO
Member
Speer 135gr +P short barrel Gold Dot
carbofan21
Member
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135gr +p gold dot short barrel in my 642.
otis24
Member
Remington .38 Spcl +P 158gr LSWCHP
Black_Sheep
Member
Same here, there might be better performers but the old FBI load is what's in stock at the local gun pusher's place...
flop-shank
US Veteran
I'm glad to help, and I'm sure tpd223 is too.
I like the Speer SB 135 gr. .38+P. If your POI with that load is a little high, try Corbon 110 gr. PDX. If low, try Remington, or Buffalo Bore's version/s of the FBI load. Those and wadcutters as an interim load, are fine. Also Federal Nyclad 125 gr. .38 are excellent and low recoil.
