Hornady .38 spcl critical defense lite

[Robert B]

I just saw a YouTube test on this round.

941 fps
16 in penetration
No expansion thru denim/gel
177 ft lbs energy

Even though it did not expand from a 2 in bbl, I still might load my wife's Ladysmith with it as she is recoil shy. It is the stainless model.

My only concern is wondering if 177 ft lbs will penetrate a sternum or a rib along with clothing. Anyone have a feel for the amount of energy required to penetrate the human chest?

Thx

 

[Robert B]

Answering my own question

I got to thinking. .380 90 gr hollow points out of a micro pistol run at about 850 fps, and noone questions their ability to penetrate the chest. Their energy is less than 177 ft lbs. So, the .38 lite critical defense should penetrate the chest too.

Do you guys like that logic?

 

[RealGun]

Make her happy without injecting any guy logic to it. The more she shoots, the more recoil she will be able to handle. It's really amazing how that works.

 

[Riomouse911]

Bullet placement is the key. Make sure she is comfortable with her firearm and with the recoil it generates, this familiarity will increase her confidence in her firearm and herself... and (should) improve success should she need it to defend life and limb.

Hornady has done a very good job with their new "Critical" loads..both the "Duty" and "Defense" loads that I have personally shot or observed in FBI test mediums worked as advertised.

I have obtained some standard pressure 9mm and .38 Spl. Critical Defense loads for myself in an LC9 and J-frame .38...as I am issued other ammo for duty stuff (Win SXT 127 gr 9mm+P+ for the Glocks and .380 SXT 95 gr for the LCP)

As an aside; I have personally participated in 3 full FBI tests with the Winchester SXT or bonded duty rounds in 9mm, .40, .45, 5.56 and their 12 gauge segmenting slugs. It is also good stuff.

 

[JERRY]

with those ballistics you can save a lot of money getting some other ammo which performs just as well.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Standard wadcutters would perform much better.

 

[snooperman]

For low recoil standard pressure in a 38 special, you might want to consider the 125gr Federal Nyclad ammo. It has good reliable expansion .

 

[BSA1]

You need to test the ammunition in her gun shooting different material rather than making a decision based on what you read on the Internet and in gun rags.

I tested Hornady Critical Defense and Hydrashok side by side out of a 2" snub is. The test material was four layers of cotton shirt over four layers of Demi jean covering a water barrel 3' deep. The Hydrashoks expanded 50 percent of the time whereas the Critical Defense expanded 100 percent of the time. In addition to the expansion of the Critical Defense I was impressed with how the shock wave of the bullet split the sides of the barrel.

For grins and giggles one of these days I'll build a test box for drywall and plywood and water jugs.