What's the best 38 Special +P defensive round for 4 3/4" barrel?

[Orion8472]

I'm thinking of getting a .357mag revolver and mostly running .38 specials in it both for cheaper shooting and recoil.

But IF I wanted a good defensive .38 special +P round, what would work well?

It is going to be a cowboy action style gun, so I doubt I WOULD ever use it for SD purposes, . . . but you never know.

Thanks.

 

[wlewisiii]

Buffalo Bore.

158 gr LSWCHP @ 1150fps. By far the best available.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

 

[Orion8472]

Is this Jeff from gunblast.com? hehehe

He does a LOT of Buffalo Bore stuff.

I was about to cancel this thread . . . mostly because as I think about it, the odds that I would use such a gun for defense is such a small potential. If it is of value to others, please continue.

The gun I was considering is the Uberti Birdshead in .357mag, with 4 3/4" barrel. Mostly just for the occasional range trip and only one box [at the most] to run through it. I'm not even 90% sure I'll even get it. I just really like the way they look.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

There is no one "best", but there are variety of good defensive loads available.


In no particular order:

• 158gr LSWCHP +P (made by W-W, Fed, R-P)
• Speer 135gr +P Gold Dot
• Speer 125gr +P Gold Dot
• Remington 125gr +P Golden Saber
• Remington 125gr SJHP +P
• Winchester 130gr PDX bonded
• Federal 110gr & 129gr +P Hydra-Shok
• Federal 125gr Nyclad hollowpoint (is available yet again)
• Hornady 110gr FTX Critical Defense +P
• Hornady 125gr XTP +P
• Corbon 110gr DPX +P (all-copper bullet) and 125gr +P JHP
• Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP +P

 

[mavracer]

Best is almost always subjective.
I like the 158gr LSWCHP for most purposes I bought a large quanity of swaged bullets to reload and mimic the federal factory load. It's one of my "one load for everything" propositions.

 

[1911austin]

From that barrel lenght you have a lot of good choices.

 

[zxcvbob]

Are you going to be reloading these, or buying off the shelf?

I'm partial to 158 grain SWCHP's (factory or reloads) and to hot-loaded full wadcutters (not hollow-based.)

Lee's 158 grain RF bullet is also a good one because it has a wide flat nose with sharp corners, almost as wide as a wadcutter, and it loads easier than a WC.

 

[MrDig]

There is no one "best", but there are variety of good defensive loads available.
[*]Remington 125gr SJHP +P
[/list]

This is what I shoot most often in my Model 10 4in bbl, I have not used in my GP100 but it is a good round for the Model 10

 

[Orion8472]

Buying off shelf.

 

[Hondo 60]

The gun I was considering is the Uberti Birdshead in .357mag, with 4 3/4" barrel.

ooooooohhh aaaahhhhhh

EXCELLENT choice, my friend.
I have a Uberti 1873 Cattleman NM Brass in 45 Colt & absolutely LOVE it.
I think my next purchase will be a simialar gun with a bird's head grip.
Kinda like a matching set.
I wish they made 'em with a brass backstrap & trigger guard.
I guess I could have one custom made, but that's beyond my means.

 

[Orion8472]

That's kinda what I'm thinking now. Still a relatively large barrel hole, compared to my Ruger Single Six .22lr revolver. Plus, the Birdshead Uberti looks SO good. I think that will be my choice.

I like the Catleman that you have, too.

 

[gp911]

That Remington SJHP +P is one of my faves too, my LGS has it for $15/50 right now. The BB stuff is great, I carry their stuff in my Uberti birdshead .45LC. Big $$$ though! They have some full wadcutters that look interesting.

 

[wnycollector]

Another fan of the venerable 158gr +P LSWCHP loading for HD. I prefer the Remington flavor of LSWCHP since I carry that load in both snubbies and full sized revolvers.

 

[SaxonPig]

What gun has a 4.75" barrel? The Colt SAA is the only one that comes to my mind.

 

[skeeziks]

SaxonPig....just go back and read the OP and there you will find your answer....

 

[roaddog28]

I would have to agree with most that the reliable LSWCHP 158 gr round would be the best for defense. Afterall, it is a proven defensive round.
Howard

 

[AABEN]

135 +p

 

[YJake]

Buffalo Bore 158grn LSWCHP +P owns in all barrel lengths.

I keep my M442 1 7/8" and M10 4" S&W revolvers loaded with those little lightening bolts.

I shoot Remington's version of the load for cheaper practice. It also makes a good SD load, just slightly slower and with a softer lead bullet.

-Jake

 

[Orion8472]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I think I have my answer. Please continue to discuss if you wish.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO most current SD rounds will do what they were designed to do, stop the bad guy. If that's true it then comes down to hitting what you aim at. The best ammo and bullet in the world will do you no good unless you make good hits. Carry the ammo that's most accurate in your revolver. (IMO of course)

Side note, everyone keeps saying Buffalo Bore ammo is the best because it generates very high velocities. That doesn't make it the best, it makes it the fastest. Most times high velocity doesn't translate into accuracy.

 

[marcclarke]

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#.38spl/.357mag

 

[L-Frame]

+1 for Buffalo Bore 158

 

[skoro]

The tried and true FBI load is probably still at the top of the heap. Available from several manufacturers and still recommended by the experts.

 

[kludge]

Remington 158gr LSWC-HP +P. Yes, specifically Remington.
Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrel +P
Buffalo Bore.

 

[Jaymo]

The one you and your gun shoot best.