Best .38 Special load out of snub nose (standard pressure)?

[Panzerschwein]

As many of you may be aware Illinois's ban on concealed carry has been rendered unconstitutional. The only gun I have at the moment, and that may be used by my mother, that's appropriate for concealed carry is a Smith and Wesson model 37 revolver in .38 special.

I have read it isn't good to shoot .38 special +p's in this gun, so I am really wondering what standard pressure .38 loadings would be the best in this revolver. I own a box and a half of Hornady Critical Defense .38 special standard pressure, would this be about as good as it gets? Or is their a better option?

Thanks, and MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[35 Whelen]

There are two schools of thought on defensive handgun ammunition; light and fast and heavy and slow. I happen to subscribe to the latter as I'd rather be certain that the bullet I use will penetrate heavy clothing, buttons on coats, etc. As such, I load and keep in my .38's bullets ranging from a 152 SWCHP to a 170 grs. SWC. In a standard , non +P loading the lighter bullet does well over 800 fps and the heavier around 750 fps out of the wifes 2" Charter Arms.

35W

 

[Cfish]

Check out the federal 125gr Nyclad HP.

 

[frankmako]

i would use 148gr wad cutter for range time with the gun. then i would carry a named brand 38sp +p ammo in the gun. the gun will shoot a small amount of +p without any problems. this amount can be several hundred of rounds.

 

[MedWheeler]

I'd probably carry the Nyclad or similar load during the warmer times of the year, and then switch to something with some more-assured deep penetrative ability during the Illinois winters. Maybe the old-faithful 158-grain LSWC.

Down here, when I was carrying one of my two .38 snubs, it was loaded with either a 125-grain semi-jacketed flat-tipped solid, or a 140-grain flat-tipped FMJ load, whichever I happened to grab.

 

[Gary A]

MedWheeler said

I'd probably carry the Nyclad or similar load during the warmer times of the year, and then switch to something with some more-assured deep penetrative ability during the Illinois winters. Maybe the old-faithful 158-grain LSWC.

and that is the same conclusion I came to for my old model 37.

 

[Hapworth]

Hornady Critical Defense 110gr standard pressure is a good round.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/38 Special/38 Special Bone Test.pdf

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_D...Data/38spl_HorndayFTX_SpeerGDHP_CorbonDPX.htm

 

[ZVP]

HornidayCustom Handhun ammo. 158gr XTP bullet loaded to 38Spl pressures.
I shoot them in my Model 36,2".
HTH.
ZVP

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with 148 gr. wadcutters for practice and Federal 125 gr. Nyclads for CCW.

 

[Remllez]

148 LWC or.......158 grain LSWC or......158 grain LSWC ( HP )

 

[KenW.]

I once saw a memo from S&W posted on-line that said thier steel .38 revolvers will safely handle +P ammo, but to use it judiciously.

For target shooting use wadcutters, and for carry-defense load her up with +P. the likelihood of shooting a limited number of +P ammo will not harm your weapon.

 

[Rail Driver]

I've got a Model 36 (carbon steel instead of stainless steel, but basically the same gun) that I carry +p in. I have no issue firing +p in my gun. +p loads of today are lighter than standard pressure loads when this gun was designed and manufactured.

 

[roaddog28]

Buffalo Bore 150 gr hard cast wadcutters.
Howard

 

[royal barnes]

I like the Hornady XTP 158 grain non plus p. Manageable recoil and shoots to POA in my Agent and Cobra.

 

[pete950]

the Buffalo Bore full wadcutter with a standard 158swc for a reload!!!

 

[Steve C]

The Hornady critical defense in standard pressure is probably as good as its going to get.
Being relatively new to the market it doesn't have a street record yet but anything that does out of a .38 spl snub is pretty pathetic compared to rounds from a 4" barrel or any 9mm.

If you worry about penetration of the Hornady then use a 158gr LRN or SWC neither of which is superior to the other and figure you probably will have to hit em 2X or more CM.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks guys, I will probably stick to the Hornadys I already have, the past few days it's been getting really hard to find ammo online, only getting worse. I ordered 1000 rounds of 124 grain 9mm from Georgia Arms yesterday only to find on their sight they are bogged down with orders today.

 

[snooperman]

In my Colt Cobra and Agent I use the 125 gr Federal Nyclad.