good choice for 38sp defensive ammo

[Dimis]

im using hornady custom hp right now but they are getting old and need replacment (ive had them since the last 38 i owned which was a few years ago)
i was wondering what you guys recommend
my revolver is +P rated so sky is the limit

 

[KBintheSLC]

What kind of gun is it?

 

[RoostRider]

If you have a very small gun, and/or are a small person, something with low recoil might be in order (for follow up shots).... those things can be a bit unwieldy given their weight....

If you are going with a large frame with some weight to it you might be more interested in a heavier weight +P round.

I will be keeping an eye on this thread because I have some interest in this as well.... I just picked up a snubby .38 and haven't done a lot of research on the subject of ammo

 

[indiandave]

If it's an Airweight I would go with Buffalo bore Std Pressure 158gr LSWCHP's or Speer Gold Dot 135gr's. If it's a bigger gun you could go with BB158 +p or remington 158 +p.

 

[KyJim]

There are several good loads if your gun can handle the +P loads and most modern guns can. If you're not sure, post the model gun you have or check with the manufacturer. I like Speer Gold Dots (125 or 135 grains) but also use 158 gr. lead hollow points (the old FBI load). Corbon DPX, Remington Golden Sabers, and Winchester Talons are all good defensive rounds.

If you need to shoot standard pressure loads, look at Buffalo Bores which have 125 gr. Gold Dots. An old standby for short barrels is the 148 gr. full wadcutter which is still a decent round, even if not state of the art.

 

[edw794]

if you are asking about a load for a smith snubbie, i like the old standard, remington 158 gr. +p lead hollow points. i don't find it difficult shooting that load in my snubs, especially in follow up shots.

ed

 

[gmh1013]

I use BB 158gr. .38s in my Ruger SP101 2 inch barrel....BB pack a punch
without being +p

 

[Bill_G]

if you dont have an airweight, go w/ the FBI load. if u do have airweight DON'T!!

why? you may get crimp jump form the other rounds in the cylinder.

 

[Dimis]

its a ruger LCR im of average build and not intimidated by recoil of course if its too much recoil it may be an issue of reliable accuracy on my part

who makes the FBI loads?

and whats crimp jump?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. It is with the Airlite line that lead bullets can jump their crimp. The slightly heavier Airweights do NOT do have this problem. I've been using both the Remington 158-gr. LHP +P for years in my Airweights along with lead bullet handloads. I "tested" some of the moderate and even lighter lead bullet handloads in an Airlite and they will jump the crimp for sure.

Remington and Winchester are currently making the "FBI Load". I am not sure if Federal still is or not. They are +P loads.

When a handgun goes off, it recoils backward as a response to the bullet and ejecta moving forward. In the Airlites, the case's crimp is not sufficient to hold the lead bullet in place and as the case and bullet separate, the cylinder's rotation will be stopped. This only happens in the really lightweight revolvers. This is why the Airlites have something similar to "Jacketed Bullets Only" or something similar on the bbl...or used to; I've not seen one in a couple or three years.

Best.

 

[jakk280rem]

i like the remington 125gr sjhp +p in my 642. the lighter weight bullet helps pick up some velocity, and the long lead nose help to start expansion.

 

[Sport45]

im using hornady custom hp right now but they are getting old and need replacment (ive had them since the last 38 i owned which was a few years ago)

Phfft... Unless you bought your last .38 around the turn of the last century there's nothing old about your ammo. If it worked when you bought it, it will work fine now.

That said, I like Remington 158gr LSWC HP +P in mine. I've heard good things about Speer's 135gr HP +P for short barrels too.


Still a Top Load?

Snub Ammo Test

 

[wnycollector]

When I carry a .38 I have the remington +P 158gr LHP (FBI load) in it. It produces decent velocity in my snubs (~825fps) and more than adequate velocities (~950-975fps) in my 4" or 5" revolvers.

 

[Dimis]

Sport your probably right but i do like doing a rotation every 5 years or so and i only have 40 rounds left anyway

 

[Pepper]

+1 for the Buffalo Bore Std Pressure 158gr LSWCHP's. I just switched to this load in my 442 and am so impressed with it that I started carrying it in my 3" 66. I chronographed it @ 885fps in the 2". There is hardly any muzzle flash, no leading, and as accurate as anything else that I have tried in the 2".

 

[earlthegoat2]

I like the FBI load. 158 grain LSWCHP +P

 

[kmrcstintn]

if you dont have an airweight, go w/ the FBI load. if u do have airweight DON'T!!

why? you may get crimp jump form the other rounds in the cylinder.

needs a little tweaking...the really, really lightweight snubbies made from scandium or titanium that weigh less than 15oz transfer more recoil into the gun and bullet jump is more prominent; ove the years I have owned @ 5 different S&W J framed snubbies that have aluminum frames and weigh right around 15 oz have not experienced bullet jump and I shoot @ 25 rounds of the Remington 158gr lswchp .38 spl +p every 6 months to rotate out my stock; I have yet to see it happen