Weather Conditions Require Bullet Change?

[MI2600]

I recently watched a You Tube video that compared different bullet types from .38 Special snub barrels. The conclusion was that a 158gr JHP would not expand as desired at short (7 yd) distances. The recommendation was SWC lead bullets provided the best results.
For my S&W 442 carry gun I have been using 158gr XTP bullets. I'm now considering changing to LSWCs. Comments?

I'm also wondering if the LSWCs would have penetration during our MI winters when "bundled up" is a given.
Does anyone change bullet types for climate changes?

 

[Jesse H]

I carry the same 124 gr Speer Gold Dots all year. We don't get too cold down here, but even if it did, 15+1 rounds in the gun and another 17 in the spare mag.

That should be enough to hopefully get me out of the situation, whether or not the rounds expand

I used to think over what type of gun or caliber I would carry depending on the weather. Now I just train more and stick with the same platform and caliber.

 

[bluejeans]

Yes. On a scale of light hp’s for bathing suits only weather to hard cast buffalo bore for arctic winter dress.

Also if dealing with severe cold you might switch gun lube in the winter and be careful about primer selection if you load your own

 

[Deus Machina]

I always recommend against XTPs in a .38. From what I've read--and this is secondhand--they're the same ones used in a .357 developed as hunting round, and need some speed to expand that a short .38 just won't give them.
Incorrect or not, when I looked at their gel tests, I wasn't impressed.
I don't change my ammunition for weather, and would try to avoid it even if I wasn't in Florida. Gold Dots, HST, and LSWCHP are about as solid as you get year-round. Expansion may be a bit limited by clothes suitable for a Michigan winter, but not much will be better.

 

[JTQ]

The conclusion was that a 158gr JHP would not expand as desired at short (7 yd) distances. The recommendation was SWC lead bullets provided the best results.
For my S&W 442 carry gun I have been using 158gr XTP bullets. I'm now considering changing to LSWCs. Comments?

Deus Machina wrote,
I always recommend against XTPs in a .38. From what I've read--and this is secondhand--they're the same ones used in a .357 developed as hunting round, and need some speed to expand that a short .38 just won't give them.

For the OP, if your concern is that your XTP won't expand, well, neither will the LSWC.

If your concern is a lack of penetration due to low velocity and thick clothing, your XTP is probably a good choice, and just about as good as LSWC.

While I don't want to get hit with any bullet, hollow point, ball, or semi-wadcutter/wadcutter, my biggest concern is always a lack of penetration rather than a fear that my hollow point won't open up. If my hollow point doesn't open up, I have basically ball or semi-wadcutter/wadcutter. If it doesn't penetrate enough, I probably don't hit what I want.

 

[Riomouse911]

No round will be perfect under all conditions, but I prefer the same loads year round.

I carry critical defense .38 +p loads in my snubs, but the HST, Hydra Shok, golden saber, buffalo bore, ranger pdx or other quality +P will also fit the bill just fine.

Stay safe!

 

[Steve C]

The .38 special doesn't provide enough velocity to expand the 158gr JHP reliably regardless of the barrel length. This is the reason Speer has discontinued 158gr JHP/JSP load data for the .38 special in their manuals. You typically need 1000 fps at the muzzle to get expansion from a JHP bullet. There are some exceptions for bullets designed to expand at lower velocity like the Speer 135gr SB JHP or the Remington .38 125gr Golden Saber that are pushed out the barrel of a snub nose at around 900 to 950 fps.

Commercial 158gr JHP's are not a good defense bullet out of typical revolvers of 4" barrel length or less but should work fine out of a carbine with 16" or greater barrel length. I have chrono'd .38 spl 158gr LSWC +P loads from a Ruger Black Hawk 4-5/8" at 911 fps and the same load was 1,101 fps average from my 16" barrel Carbine,

If you want a HP bullet in 158gr for a snub revolver get a soft lead SWCHP like are loaded in the old police loads. These can be found and are still produced by Winchester, Remington and Federal as well as Buffalo Bore. If you hand load you can buy Speer or Hornady158gr LSWCHP's from dealers like Midway and Graffs.

 

[FL-NC]

I can't speak for the expansion properties, but I'm not aware of any agency or unit that switches ammunition type based on weather or what a target may be wearing. If I were really concerned, I would research to see if the FBI has ever conducted any such testing.

 

[340PD]

I am more concernes about having to shoot my way out through my car or at work through a barrier of some sort. I mow carry Underwood ammo which penetrates heavy clothing or windshields and the like and remains on it's intended path.

 

[cougar1717]

This is one of the best resources for choosing ammo for a 2" 38 Special.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/#38spl

 

[MI2600]

A lot of surprises on that chart!

 

[Random 8]

In winter here in MN, I carry more horsepower. Winter clothing makes it easier to conceal a large frame handgun. I carry either a hi-cap 9mm mid size loaded with 124 XTP first 4, 124 FMJ TC after that, or when in more rural settings ice fishing or snowmobiling, it's a 6" .357 with 158 Noslers. My summer piece is a compact 9 or a .357 snubby with Hornady 125s.

 

[Dunross]

To my way of thinking if the weather is cold enough that clothing thickness might possibly make me think of changing bullet types then it's also cold enough to be able to carry/conceal a more power/longer barreled pistol. Instead of a 2" snubby I might carry something as big as a 6" barreled N frame.

 

[.308 Norma]

To my way of thinking if the weather is cold enough that clothing thickness might possibly make me think of changing bullet types then it's also cold enough to be able to carry/conceal a more power/longer barreled pistol. Instead of a 2" snubby I might carry something as big as a 6" barreled N frame.

I like that. My problem is that I seem to always go places (like church) in the winter where I have to remove my heavy coat once I get inside. That leaves me with the same problems I have in the summer concealing a larger, more powerful handgun.

 

[Dunross]

Surely you'd be wearing a suit coat to church in the winter. You can hide a lot under those.

 

[.308 Norma]

Surely you'd be wearing a suit coat to church in the winter. You can hide a lot under those.

No sir, it's been years since I wore a suit coat. I am considering buying a couple of sport coats just for church though - for that very reason. Two of our Deacons wear sport coats, and I've been told they both carry.