Choosing .38 Special Ammo

[John]

I am partial to Winchester WinClean for .38 Special ammo.

I am wondering, in terms of dual-use -- target practice and home defense -- if it matters what weight bullet I buy: 158, 125, 130, 110?

What are relevant facts and concerns one should know and consider when selecting bullets for the purposes stated above?

 

[Old Fuff]

You didn't mention what kind of .38 Special revolver you have, but if it has fixed sights you should find a load/bullet weight that shoots to the point of aim.

Personal protection: Everyone seems to have their own ideas, and some are convinced that you you don't have a particular load and bullet, all is lost. This sort of thinking tends to also pick the most powerful combination available. The truth is that the most important thing is to hit your adversary where it will instantly disable them. That's a matter of marksmanship while under stress, not a particular bullet weight or style.

Practice Ammunition: Needn't have to have expensive hollow-point bullets. The best value is to handload your own, but this takes time. Bulk packs loaded with 158 grain lead or 130 grain jacketed bullets are often available at Wal-Mart, individual gun shops, and over the Internet.

 

[.45FMJoe]

I agree with Fuff. But for my carry ammo I am partial to Speer Gold Dots. In my 2" barrel .38 I carry the 135gr Speer GD as that round was specifically designed for snub nosed revolvers. I figure hell, if th shoe fits...

 

[M2 Carbine]

I target shoot with my 160gr lead SWC reloads.
I shoot a fair amount in the evening with Crimson Trace lasers on short barrel S&W J Frames.

I keep the guns loaded with +P Federal 158gr lead SWCHP.

 

[Jkwas]

It really depends on you. Everyone seems to have their favorite. Just make sure you can shoot it accurately and it's reliable in your gun. I have several favorites, but most are 125gn+p JHP. My wife also carrys a snub, and uses a standard pressure load, 110gn hydrashock low recoil. Any good premium ammo will suffice as long as you can put it where it counts.

 

[Verrault]

My two cents

I prefer the Speer Gold Dot 135gr. +P for carry. For practice...I'll shoot pretty much anything that's available...last lot was the 158 gr. Isn't that the old "FBI load"? The recoil isn't really all that difference between the two, I don't think.

BTW I carry a S&W 642CT.

 

[Ichiro]

I have no dual-use ammo.

Practice ammo is as cheap as I can get it -- reloads.
Defense ammo is short-barrel Gold Dots.

 

[rich642z]

Since I reload,I get my bullets by the thousands at a better price. I hve had real good luck with semi-jacketed 125+ps from Remington when I load with Unique powder. My groups have been real good with the Hornady and speer loading manual that I use to reload. Sometimes you cant tell from factory loads. For target and defense loads,I load my 38s close to or maybe just above 3/4 of the casing and then crimp the bullets so they do not fall out of the casings. And I use RCBS loading machine and dies. Rich Ziemies,Omaha,Ne.

 

[camacho]

For defense ammo: Speer Gold Dot, 135 gr.

For some very interesting ballistics data check here:

http://stevespages.com/page8f38special.html

 

[Sunray]

"...relevant facts..." How well a particular brand and bullet weight shoots out of your revolver. Nothing else matters. Then practice with the ammo you intend using. Mind you, if you're shooting formal matches, there's not much that beats 2.7 grains of Bullseye and a 148 grain WC.

 

[Wolfpackin]

+1 for Ichiro

Practice: PMC, Amer. Eagle, Rem. UMC
Defense: Speer GDHP 135gr.

But, whatever works for you, although I would advise using a good HP for personal defense.

 

[DawgFvr]

Still beating that dead horse? I prefer DPX....you prefer gold dot...etc.

Read:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38 Snub Ammo Test.htm

DPX is superior...less recoil too!

 

[Sundles]

When considering terminal (inside the body) ballistics, bullet weight is not as important as matching bullet CONSTRUCTION with impact velocity. All projectiles are NOT created equally. Your weapon will only kill/perform as well as the ammunition it is fed. It could be the best gun in the world, but if you dont carefully choose your ammo to do what you want it to, it wont.

 

[Ala Dan]

You need to know that the Speer 125 grain +P Gold Dots rake havoc on any
aluminum frame handguns. Shoot many of these, and you will soon notice a
lot of end shake on these firearms.

 

[Jkwas]

You know, it's weird. I got a box of corbons, 38+p JHp. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with them. Some were fliers, some were tumblers, they just wouldn't work out of my gun. That's why you gotta try!