best non +p .38 spl for older gentleman's snub

[kmrcstintn]

I am seeking input on which .38 spl (non +p) defense load to get for my father to use in his Airweight S&W 642 snubby revolver; he is up in age and I want to get him some non +p ammo so the recoil doesn't bite as bad...might have early stages of arthritis;

I have compiled a poll to include the 'popular' and 'well known' products on the market; if there is one that I have not listed (I am not all knowing), please feel free to select other and include it in the thread; thank you

 

[sidheshooter]

If this is actually true, I'd say Nyclad 125 would be one proven contender...

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/...special-to-be-reintroduced-at-2009-shot-show/

 

[pps]

Since expansion will probably be iffy. Have you considered the wadcutter target loads, I think from Federal. Low recoil and full bore diameter meplat should blissfully chug a nice hole through connective tissue.

Cor Bon also has the 110gr DPX.

 

[Stainz]

I'll second the full wadcutter, ie, 148gr WC/LWC suggestion. That is my 'other' choice for those not fond of recoil in a 642, etc. Try to find it nowadays!

Stainz

 

[Al Thompson]

Practice with very light loads, carry the Speer +P 135 Gold Dot or any 158 grain Lead semi-wadcutter hollow point.

You do not have to practice with the same stuff you have for serious use.

If you want lighter, go with the Cor-Bon 110 DPX.

 

[mavracer]

either these 158 SWC
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=477744
or these 148 LWC
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=910560

 

[GRIZ22]

Another vote for the 148 wadcutter. That's what I carry in my J frame 38s. Federal, WW, or RP it doesn't make any diffrence. The bullet is already in an efficient shape; a shape that a hollow point has to expand a little to get to. Penetration in ballistic gelatin is 14" plus and that's adequate.

 

[Maelstrom]

I'd probably go for the wadcutter. Expansion isn't up to part at low speeds so the cutting edge of the wadcutter will help make up for that.

Whatever you do, stay away from round nose.

 

[bannockburn]

I'd also vote for the 148 gr. wadcutter. Little to no recoil, no muzzle flash, very controllable for follow-up shots, and still quite accurate out of a short barrel .38 revolver.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Personally I prefer Hornady 140 grain HP/XTP as a better compromise of fps and bullet weight...

 

[JayL]

"Personally I prefer Hornady 140 grain HP/XTP as a better compromise of fps and bullet weight..."

I second the Bushmaster - it's in my j-frame 637 right now.

 

[rdrancher]

Check out Buffalo Bore's Standard Pressure Short Barrel Heavy .38 Special 158gr LSWC-HC. http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#standard38

I use it in my 642 and old Charter Arms Undercover. At the tender age of 52, I have degenerative joint disease and arthritis in my fingers, wrists and elbows from too much construction fun. The BB Standard Pressure rounds are a breeze to shoot. Gelatin tests and my own behind the barn, water jug tests make it my carry choice.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Buffalo Bore 158gr (non +P) SWC-HC.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/695107034/m/7471076872?r=8811097872#8811097872

rd

 

[krs]

I went "other" in favor of a wadcutter loading too. For my wife's 442 and my own if I carry it I load 148 DEWC over a reasonably lively 3.2 gr of Bullseye. It amounts to one full turn out on my powder measure mike and it goes from my target 2.6 gr. to 3.2 gr. Easy and the load has been tested by others to be quite effective.

 

[David E]

148 grain full wadcutter all the way!

In such a light gun, fired by someone with hand/strength issues, you won't find a better load.

.

 

[Stumper]

Another Wadcutter vote here. If recoil were not an issue then BB heavy loaded WC is probably marvelous-but you said recoil IS a concern. I do not mind having handloads in my guns so I have a snubby load with a 115WC (Old Ideal mould) that is standard pressure , light recoiling AND offers velocities comparable to the best 110 grain +P loads. For many years I loaded Factory target WCs and would not feel horribly handicapped going back to it.

 

[Geezer59]

I'm 60 years old, use a 642 w/ CT LG-405 grips, and put Buffalo Bore 150 grain hard-cast wadcutters in it for the initial loadout. These are non+P cartridges, but do kick substantially - not recommended if you haven't changed from the factory grips. For reloads I use Speer short-barrel 135 grain +P hollowpoints, and they actually recoil much more mildly than the BB non+P wadcutters. The 642 is rated for +P, and the ammo ratings really don't tell the whole story on how bad the kick will be.

 

[bflobill_69]

How about wadcutters?

All this hollow point stuff!

How about some lead wadcutters?

...excellent self defense round - seen them after shooting into gel - they mushroom nice!!!

Bflobill69

 

[wnycollector]

I like the TCJ/DEWC from www.mastercast.net I just chronographed it in my S&W 638 at 770fps...not to shabby from a 1.7/8" barrel.

 

[MedWheeler]

I voted with the Hornady 125 of those listed because I like a fast but heavy bullet (at least, the best compromise between the two.) However, I carry in my CA Undercover Remington's 125 grain JSPs..

 

[skoro]

The standard pressure .38 rounds I like are the Buffalo Bore 150gr hard cast wadcutters and the soft cast 158gr SWC hollow points. They definitely pack a punch. The hardcast wadcutters are tough penetrators.

 

[96wa6]

I vote low-tech.

Buy some target loads with Full Wadcutters. They don't kick much at all, and they do a lot of damage on the receiveing end because THEY'RE ALREADY EXPANDED. I shot melons with these and they make a really loud "WHUMP!" when they hit. They're also probably the most accurate in any revolver. And they're CHEAP.

This was actually recommended to me by a gunshop for my wife to shoot through her Smith 37. I use them in my 642.

 

[mavracer]

The standard pressure .38 rounds I like are the Buffalo Bore 150gr hard cast wadcutters and the soft cast 158gr SWC hollow points.

yes but as another poster said they also recoil more than some of the lighter +p loads. And the OP is concerned about recoil.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hornady XTP ammo just doesn't expand so I would stay away from it.

I agree with the use of 148gr WC or 158gr SWC ammo. At the velocities a standard pressure round will achieve from a 2" barrel you are better off with a full wadcutter since it's already expanded to it's full caliber diameter.

 

[jakk280rem]

i like remingtons semi-jacketed hp's in a lighter grain. they are softer and help expansion at lower non +p snubbie velocities, but what jacketing there is helps hold it together.

 

[Gary A]

I like the Federal Personal Defense 110 grain followed closely by the Winchester 110 grain Silvertip in warm weather. For cold weather any standard pressure 158 grain semi-wadcutter. The 148 grain wadcutter would be fine, too. Hornady 158s are scarce around here but they would be fine also. Standard pressure 158 loads are very unlikely to expand anyway out of the short barrel so with them penetration is the strong point. The Federals and Silvertips might expand being faster but lose penetration as a result of their light weight, not so good during cold weather it seems to me. For me, any .38 beats a .380 out of a pocket pistol.

Oh, and Magtech makes a nice 158 SJHP at standard pressure. Probably won't expand but it's a little faster and will penetrate.