Best Snub .38 Ammo in Current Times

Ive use a 148 hbwc in j frames for years. There is no need to jack up velocity as it has adequate penetration at target load velocity.

I recently tried some Perfecta .38 FMJ that I’d bought a while ago, and had 3 or 4 failures to fire. I’ve read of others having the same problem with their .38.

For SD loads, soft lead seems to mushroom with snubbies. I like the Underwood Extreme Penetrators (phillips head bullets) but had some click no bangs with them, too.

Mr. Mosin said:

In these times of ammo availability becoming better but still finicky, and possible QC issues occuring in said ammunition, would something like a 148grn full HC wadcutter be better from a Smith 637 et al, or should one bank their luck on today's Uber hollow points ?

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That's a loaded question.

Hollow points in .38Spl are always kind of an iffy prospect. Personally, I prefer a wide flat nose with some mass behind it. A 148gr. wadcutter moving over 900fps is a good load. Assuming it's also accurate out of your gun(s).

I've been known to load up some real hot JHP's for snubbies and they make over 1000fps from my DS and Rossi 5-shot so they should be good for close range - across the living room close. Past 20 feet, to me they're a no-go for anything bigger than a rabid raccoon.

Alte Schule said:

Although scarce try the 90 gr FTX Hornady Critical Defense Lite. Use them in both my Model 36 Chief Specials. Very manageable recoil.

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I tried the Inceptor ARX (77gr) and it has a very light recoil as well.

What really works well in my 14.4oz S&W® M&P® BODYGUARD™ w/Crimson Trace® Laser #BG38, and my 16oz Charter Arms® UNDERCOVER® UNDERCOVER® DAO, is...
• https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-110-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/

Mr. Mosin said:

and possible QC issues occuring in said ammunition,

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I am not sure why there would be QC issues with ammo made now as to ammo made at any other time. But what ever.

For my snubs I like two different loads. One is a 110gr load with a Winchester 110gr bullet pushed by a stiff charge of powder or a 158gr hardcast loaded to 850fps with a good dose of 231 powder and it gives me the one thing I like best. Penetration. It digs deep. I will take penetration over expansion any day. Its not too bad to shoot from my 2" SP-101 but pretty stout in an airweight 38. It wasn't too bad out of a Taurus model 85.

Jonesy814 said:

Unless you run one of the special "short barrel" loads, there is a good chance the hollow point won't expand anyways at snub velocities. I think a 148gr was cutter is a viable option

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One could always choose the BB 150 grain wadcutters, but from my experience don't try them in an airweight. I have them in my 2.25" SP-101 right now.

ThomasT said:

I am not sure why there would be QC issues with ammo made now as to ammo made at any other time. But what ever.

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Increased production - if 1% of ammo is bad then a million extra rounds = 10,000 more bad rounds getting past QC.

I use 158 grain LRN in my Airweights, I figure at close quarters if that's not enough I am hosed anyway.

John_R said:

Increased production - if 1% of ammo is bad then a million extra rounds = 10,000 more bad rounds getting past QC.

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Ammo companies have the same liability for their product no matter how much or how little they are producing. A failed round that doesn't go off or blows up a gun and injures someone cost way more than any profit made by rushing through a product just to fill shelves with ammo. Ammo companies cranked out more ammo during WW2 and did it for 4 years or more and made ammo that if stored correctly is still usable today. That question is more from the quirks of the OP than any real issue with ammo quality.

I have Rem. 125 Golden Saber +P's in my BG38. They are not fun to shoot.

John_R said:

Increased production - if 1% of ammo is bad then a million extra rounds = 10,000 more bad rounds getting past QC.

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Your chances of ending up with a bad round is still the same. But, at least if a round doesn’t fire, there’s a quick fix for that with a revolver.

Mr. Mosin said:

I am... quirky, am I not ?

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You are indeed. But lots of fun to mess with...

I would skip the wadcutter's if you can get something better or if recoil is an issue. For many shooters and especially small framed or elderly, shooting a small framed gun with a correspondingly small grip and light weight is very hard with +P ammo. I have switched to steel framed guns in the S&W J-frame category to better deal with the recoil as I get older..

In my steel frame guns, a 5 shot S&W model 36 or CHARTER ARMS Undercover and in my 6 shot mid-size S&W revolvers, I use FEDERAL HST 130 grain jhp. Nothing seems to perform better in a 2 inch or 4 inch.
The biggest problem with HST, is that it is slow to reload your gun when using speedloader's or one round at a time, because of the wadcutter profile. I use REMINGTON 125 grain +P sjhp ammo. It shoots to the same point of aim and reloads a cylinder from a speedloader much quicker and without any problem. The negative is that the REMINGTON is not nearly as effective as the HST. It is however inexpensive and was available in 100 round boxes.

The other problem with HST is getting any!

I have been able to get more HORNADY Critical Defense and still have plenty of REMINGTON 125 grain +P ammo in my safe. It does not expand like the other ammo listed, but has a mild kick in a mid size gun and has been the most available prior to this ammo shortage.

In my alloy framed guns, right now, I am using WINCHESTER Train & Defend 130 grain jhp. These are standard pressure rounds (not +P) and use the same bullet as the WINCHESTER PDX1 Defender loads, which are +P ammo. These rounds have also been hard to come by.

I also used the standard pressure, HORNADY Critical Defense 110 grain jhp (not the +P version) in my aluminum framed guns. These rounds are the lowest performing rounds that I use, but seemed to be the most available.

I tried standard pressure 110 grain ammo from DOUBLE TAP as well as the COLT brand 110 grain jhp which is loaded by DOUBLE TAP and they are impressive on both the receiving end and the shooting end. The flash was bright, loud and recoiled like the +P ammo I usually shoot in steel framed guns. Now, I reserve the DOUBLE TAP (and COLT) 110 grain ammo for my steel framed S&W model 15 and RUGER Speed Six. Both shoot it well and I do not have to worry if the guns will loosen up.

I just bought some more DOUBLE TAP and keep an eye out for it. Like most premium ammo right now, it is hard to get.

For practice, I use 130 grain Air Force fmj loads or 158 grain lead round nose, with an occasional qualification with the good stuff.

Jim

Here's a video that member American Finn posted up on another thread that seems relevant to the OP.

It's almost 10 minutes and I found it to be informative.

I've got some 148 WC ammo and the 158 grain LSWCHP, both from Winchester.