Defense Load for 6" .38 Special?

[.455_Hunter]

I have my "new" Colt Official Police (1942) with the 6" heavy barrel back from the gunsmith (slightly bent crane). What load do you folks think is best factory load for multi-purpose self defense (two and four-legged predators) in this barrel length?

According to Mr. Camp's testing, the expansion characteristics of the Winchester 158 gr. LSWHP +P seems to be tailored towards longer barrels (4"+?). The Remington equivalent seems to perform excellently in shorter barrels (2"-4"). Should I be concerned about "over expansion" with the Remington load?

What about the Buffalo Bore 158 gr. load? Anybody chronographed these (or other +Ps) out of a six-inch barrel?

I wish there was a factory +P .38 special load featuring a hard cast sharp shouldered LSWC or WLFN in the 158-180 gr. weight range for max. penetration in emergency situations.

Thanks for your input.

Hunter

 

[Brian Williams]

Yep a 38 LSWC 158 gr at about 900 to 950 fps would be a great load.

 

[Starter52]

+1 Go with the 158 gr. Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollowpoint +P, aka the FBI load.

 

[weregunner]

Since modern metal alloys and steels make it possible to shoot +Ps and Colts that old are made of somewhat softer steel taking the gun to a gunsmith and calling Colt and asking if +Ps are a good idea. Be cautious with an older gun like that model. Standard pressure loads in 110grJHP or Wichester Silvertips might be the way to go. I would not shoot high pressure loads until it is verified that you can. From what I have read heavy loads are not a good idea. It well may take the pounding, but verify and clarify before using. SAAMI specs may be different for newer ammo and guns.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Though their current position may differ, my research indicates that Colt definitely endorsed using the +P (or hotter) equivalent .38/44 HD loads in their OP revolvers during the .38/44 heyday period of the late 30's. In the post war era, the OP quickly evolved into the .357 and Python Models. Weregunner, where did you read that heavy loads in OPs were not a good idea?

The OPs are much "beefier" than the Police Positive Specials of the same era (just compare cylinder size and wall thickness). FTR, I only shoot standard .38s out of my 60's vintage PPS nightstand gun, partly due strength/durability concerns and partly due the reduced flash/blast of these standard loads in a 2:00 am hostile encounter scenario. The PPS/DS frame did not move into the .357 realm until the ill-fated “Magnum Carry” of the ‘90s

I suspect any current Colt position of "no +Ps in OPs" would stem from the fear of stupid people shoving hot .38s into an out-of-time Army Special or .38 Long Colt New Army. Standard pressure .38 special is hardly hotter than the .38 Long Colt. I would not surprise me if Colt says no to +P in the large frame New Service as well, just as a CYA legal move for "old" guns.

If someone actually knows of an OP damaged by +P loads, I would be very interested in knowing what happened.

Thanks for the discussion.

 

[weregunner]

455 hunter. I may have that backwards.The info was in an old handgun mag. It may well have been other than the OP, and it was for a older colt model,so will retract that last post. The warning was for the Police Positives.

 

[Jim March]

The Winchester 158+P lead hollowpoint makes sense here. So does the Gold Dot 135+P. See which one shoots best. Gold Dots tend to hold together well if "overdriven" past their design speed.

 

[Gordon]

The Remington latest batches (last couple years) of .38+p 158LSWCHP has been considerably higher velocity and has a softer alloy bullet that the other brands. I think Steven Camp's tests confirmed this.I'm sure a MECHANICALLY SOUND Official Police would take a steady diet of these. Yes it is probably the best 6" .38spl defense round. HOWEVER, even though I personally would NEVER use on for defense against humans; the 110 Grain SuperVel TYPE loads get up to 1200+ FPS and really do a number on dogs and racoons and such. And the faster 125HP's have been used very effectively on well placed shots on deer from target grade guns!

 

[cookekdjr]

Any 158gr load at 800 fps or higher. Can't go wrong with it.
-David