38 Special +p,which load is best?

[JAREDSHS]

Which load is best for self defense? Remington GS 125s at about 950'/sec. with 264 ft lbs. or Speer lawman 158 gr +p swc flat point solid at about 900'per sec./284 ft. lbs.? Fired out of a 1-7/8" snub.





Thanks:
Dave Ginn

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[flip180]

Dave

Scroll down the revolver page to my post about chronoing my snubbies. I have a couple of .38+P rounds that I clocked out of my 642 to include the new Speer 135gr.+P.

Flip

 

[Jim March]

JAREDSHS: I wouldn't carry either of those.

Speer's new 135+P looks very good. Their old 125 at +P speeds wasn't half bad even out of a snubby; about equal to the Winchester 130grain Supreme +P, also decent.

The 158+P lead hollowpoints by Winchester or Remington are quite good - they pull between 825fps to 875fps in a 2" barrel snubby, with the Remmies reputedly a tad hotter in most tests (but either are decent).

Bufallo Bore is threatening to ship a new version of that loaded HOTTER - 1,000fps from a 2" barrel. If their new lead hollowpoint matches that, it'll be the new king of the hill in terms of 38+P energy levels, the blown supercharged fuelie dragster of the 38 world .

 

[tbeb]

Between those two I'd choose the Golden Saber because I like hollowpoints, and the GS is as good as any 125 grainer.

My choice for a heavier bullet is the 158 gr. lead hollowpoint by CCI, Federal, Remington, or Winchester.