What bullet weight do you carry in your .38 Special?

[MCgunner]

I couldn't vote for my current load 'cause it's not listed, a 140 grain JHP. However, I voted for 158 since I fully intend to switch. The 140 grain +P I'm shooting hits a little low and I wanna shoot more weight to raise the point of impact up to point of aim. I have a couple of loads to test I loaded up the other day, but I've gotta weight for the rain to stop to get to the range with the chronograph. The skeeters are deadly out there right now, too. Soon as I test and confirm accuracy, I'll likely switch to the 158 grain Remington JHP in a +P handload.

I think anything from 125-158 grains in the .38 +P is a good choice for self defense. Any load in this range should have adequate penetration. The lighter bullets should expand better since they have more speed, but it's hard to beat the ol' FBI load. Main thing is, I want it to hit where I'm shootin'.

 

[bcuzimisu]

158, however misguided...

 

[JMusic]

158swc

 

[enfield]

Federal +P 158 gr LSWCHP

 

[wheelgunslinger]

another vote for 135 gr gold dots.

 

[Ichiro]

135-grain Gold Dots in the J-frame .38 special, the SP-101, and the Smith K-frame.

Speedloaders contain 158-grain lead hollowpoints, because I have so many of them and can't afford another box of 135-grain Gold Dots.

~Ichiro

 

[wixedmords]

Actually I carry any of 3 weights, 110 and 125 JHP, and 158 LSWC-HP. The latter is my favorite and trusted.

 

[Marko Kloos]

One-fifty-eight grain LSWCHP +P...that load has settled a lot of dirty business for a long time now. Lots of SD, goes deep, expands well, and the fixed sights on the K-frames are regulated for that weight anyway.

 

[kannonfyre]

Old boring LRNs

This will sound dry and uninnovative but I get the best groupings and scores with standard velocity 158gr LRNs (755ft/s from a 4" barrel with 200ft/lbs) so hence, if all hell breaks loose, that's what i'll load into my six gun for self preservation and even small/medium game harvesting.