Which load for self defense?

[kcphelps]

In my 13-1 that is. I've got some Hornady 140 gr semi jacket flat points loaded up with 7.6 grains of Unique, and I've got some Buffalo Bore .38 spcl. 158 gr LSWC HP which are not +P.
What do you guys have ready to go for your 4" K frames?

 

[38-44HD45]

Since they don't make 'em anymore, I tend to treat my K-frames pretty gently. I typically keep one of three loads in my 65s and 19s: Speer 158gr. Gold Dot .357s, Speer 135gr. Short Barrel .357s, or Remington 125gr. Golden Sabers. The latter two loads are both "-P" loads, with near identical ballistics. The 158gr. Gold Dot is a full-power load, but it isn't quite as hot as are 125gr. full-power loads and is easier on the guns.

 

[kcphelps]

Thank you sir.

 

[38-44HD45]

Quite welcome! One other load that several of my friends like in K-frames is the WW 145gr. Silvertip .357. The latest generation doesn't have as much flash as the older ones, and they seem to expand well. They are also loaded pretty mild. I've not gone to the trouble to try the newer ones. I may have been prejudiced by a failure to stop experienced by a friend of mine who interrupted an armed robbery back in the early-mid 80s. Turned out okay, although my friend and his department got sued by the scumbag. That was then, this is now, and I think Silvertips are better than they were.

 

[kcphelps]

I've used Silvertips in rifle calibers before for hunting deer, they always seem to work.
That's too bad about your friend and his dept., no good deed goes unpunished it seems.

 

[38-44HD45]

Handgun Silvertips and rifle Silvertips are different creatures entirely. Handgun Silvertips are hollowpoints, and have had jackets made of aluminum and varying alloys of nickle-plated copper, depending on the caliber. (Aluminum in slow numbers like .32 ACP and .45ACP, copper in hot stuff like .357 and 10mm.) I'm not sure that my friend's results would have been different with a different load, but it stands to reason. He shot the armed robber in the head, as the robber was swinging his gun around to shoot my friend's partner. It wasn't a "square-on" hit, and took out a piece of skull, but passed through enough of whatever passed for a brain that I think a 125gr. Remington SJHP would have expanded and killed the felon instantly. It certainly slowed the fellow down and kept him from firing accurately at the partner, but didn't drop him instantly. The felon survived, in a dramatically impaired condition. His suit was annoying, but unsuccessful. (Remember, no such thing as a one-shot stop!) I know that my young friend considered the ammo to have been less than optimal, and lobbied hard for a change, which ultimately came, though I cannot recall to what they switched. Likely, the ammo change came as part of a change from revolvers to autos.

 

[flop-shank]

Winchester, Speer and Federal try to make their ammo so as not to fragment (the old Fed. 125 .357 JHP does though). Remington does, so my SWAG hunch is that a Remington 125 would have tickled his brain for good with secondary fragments.

38-44 has given you excellent advice, kc. The only load he didn't mention that I think might be worth a look is the Remington 158 gr. SJHP.

 

[kcphelps]

Thanks guys!

 

[SWAT Lt.]

Nothing is a 100% effective and headshots with handguns often are ineffective as well as problematic, for a number of reasons. If I carried a revolver, I would have no problem with the 357 Silvertips. To say this round or that round would have produced different results (assuming we are talking about handguns) is silly. Fragmentation at handgun velocities has been shown not to add any further significant wounding and only serves to reduce the diameter of the bullet, and penetration of the bullet (both of which are bad).

There is no super bullet, including the much revered .357 125 JHP. If a certain caliber or bullet was clearly the best or most effective, every agency would use it. Also, I am familiar with at least one local LE failure to stop with R-P 125 SJHP. given the choice of a .357 or 9mm for LE/SD I would pick the 9mm without the slightest of hesitation.

There's no magic when it comes to handguns and wounding. Handguns poke holes and that's about it, even the 357 125 JHP.

 

[kcphelps]

Oh I agree, my favorite defensive load is 12 gauge 00 or flechettes.
Out of the two loads I listed in my OP, which would you guys choose?

 

[Centenniel]

I'd just load your Model 13 with the 158 grain LSWCHP +P (FBI load) from any of the big three manufactures and work with that. I carry that load in my Model 13.

 

[kcphelps]

Thank you sir.

 

[arizonaguide]

I've got some Buffalo Bore .38 spcl. 158 gr LSWC HP which are not +P.

Yup! You got it.

 

[kcphelps]

Thanks, arizonaguide! That's what I've got ready to go.