38 special defensive rounds

[dodging230grainers]

Browsing midwayusa.com, I came across these potential loads for home defense/ccw :

CCI Blazer 158gr FMJ +P. This would offer good penetration that the 38spcl round usually lacks.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=628739

Speer gold dot 125gr +P hollow point. Less penetration, but larger wound cavity.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=427026

Finally what looked like the best choice to me- Winchester 158gr +P LHPSWC, a good compromise of penetration and expansion. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=765718

What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the LHPSCW myself.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd go with your instincts. The old LSWCHP FBI load is a solid performer for the .38 Special. I'd stay clear of FMJ's or the lighter ball. In fact I'd use the old soft lead RN slugs before I used FMJ's for defense.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/gpage6.html

I have posted a few gelatin results with .38 Special here.

 

[paccw]

The snubby test showed

Speers Gold Dot 135 gr +P
Winchester SXT 130 gr +P

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/pocket_dynomite/

 

[WmCC]

PACCW:

That was the 125g GD that was evaluated. The testing was done before the arrival of the 135g version, which reportedly does better. The heavier bullet is 40fps faster, contains a larger cavity and a refined method of construction;
however, both versions do well by all accounts.

Best,

 

[RABULL]

I would go with the 135 Gold Dot or the lead 158 lead SWC. Both good loads, the 135 Gold dot would probably work better in a short barrel handgun... Natchezss.com has the Remington 158 SWC on a sale price right now....

 

[Lou22]

I carry the Winchester LSWCHP 158gr in my .38 snubbie, though I understand the Remington in the same load has softer lead and better expansion. If you have the choice, go with the Remington.

Lou

 

[cookekdjr]

Forget about expansion. It just doesn't happen in people at .38 +p velocities. Go with any hot 158gr load for maximum penetration and stopping power. I like the LSWCHP FBI load because its a proven man-stopper, but any fmj or SWC at similar velocities will perform the same. The non hp's may penetrate hard barriers like windshields or car doors better.
I cannot stress this enough: the 158gr loads out-penetrate the lighter loads (regardless of the light load's velocity) by over 50% (Combat handguns published test results a few months ago).
-David

 

[Jkwas]

Everything is a trade-off. Something that looks good on paper might not work very well in your gun. For me, the 158's kick too much and make for slower follow-ups. I like the speer 125gn+p gold dots. The PMC starfires in the same loading are a close second.

 

[wileyj]

I just bought a Model 10-5 with a 4 inche skinny barrel. My mother-in-law is going to use it mostly for a travel companion.
I do not know anything about the Model 10. Is it +P rated? I know the current on is but how about an older police trade in.
Also, I am not sure that my m-i-l would do as well with +P ammo.
So, what would be a good standard pressure defensive round in .38 Special?
Ammoman has 125gr Nyclad and 110gr HyShok.
thanks

 

[RON in PA]

wileyj: Your model 10-5 is fine with +P ammo as is any S&W marked "model 10".

125 grain +P loads are pretty easy on the shooter and if you must use standard pressure loads try 148 grain wadcutters.

 

[Ichiro]

Unless you have a really small and lightweight revolver, ALL .38 special rounds will be easy to shoot. I have a model 10, 4", and can't tell much difference between a cheap practice round and an FBI load. Recoil is negligible. If you've got an airweight, then your mileage may vary.

Out of a 4" model 10, ALL rounds are easy to shoot--corbon, hydrashok, FBI load, etc.

~Ichiro

 

[souped]

I use Speer gold dot 125gr +P in my Ruger sp101. I like it, but I want to get some of it in 135gr +P.

 

[355sigfan]

Forget about expansion. It just doesn't happen in people at .38 +p velocities. Go with any hot 158gr load for maximum penetration and stopping power. I like the LSWCHP FBI load because its a proven man-stopper, but any fmj or SWC at similar velocities will perform the same. The non hp's may penetrate hard barriers like windshields or car doors better.
I cannot stress this enough: the 158gr loads out-penetrate the lighter loads (regardless of the light load's velocity) by over 50% (Combat handguns published test results a few months ago).
-David

In snubbies your right expansion is problamatic or at least it used to be. With loads like the new Speer 135 grain Golddot made for a short barrel you can now have expansion and penetration.

Don't go with FMJ's or roundnosed lead in a 38 as this load sucks. It was known as the widowmaker by police officers because it failed to stop so often. In 4 inch 38's there are plenty of loads that will expand and penetrate.
Pat

 

[SeanSw]

Here's a quick question for you guys....

I don't have any ammo specifically for defense in .38 special. All I've got on hand are 125gr RNL, 158gr RNL, and 142gr SWC. Which would you choose out of these for self defense?

 

[355sigfan]

The 142 grain SWC will creat a more cookie cutter wound rather than just pushing the tissue to the side so its the best choice. But a good hollowpoint would be far better.
Pat