Author Topic: Best 38 Special NON +P for self defense? (Read 3349 times)

35Rem · « **on:** July 13, 2007, 11:48:46 AM »

What NON +P (Standard Pressure) load is best for a 2" revolver in 38 Special?

canon6 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2007, 12:22:04 PM »

Back in the dark ages ,when I carried a 38 Spec for a BUG,I carried any of the major manufacturers 158gr swc, this round was the standard FBI load for years.For those who like stats it approaches 50% one round stops. hht Doug

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:12:21 AM »

Back in the day, we used to carry the snubbies loaded with inverted hollow base wadcutters as backup. If I were to carry one now, think I'd go with a heavier bullet, in a SWC. Something in the 180gr range. I'll take sure penetration over "maybe" expansion at snubbie velocities.
Savage

Cottonwood · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2007, 11:02:41 AM »

38 Special Stopping Power, all bullet weights

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:38:02 PM »

Buffalo Bore probably has the best non +P loads for .38 available.

257 roberts · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2007, 04:28:07 AM »

I'd go with the 158gr LSW.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2007, 04:30:42 AM »

200 gn swc over 3.8 gns of WW231. Mikey.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2007, 02:05:07 AM »

I have a new S&W 637 airweight .38 Spl - plus P rated so I will be doing some testing on certain factory carry loads into wetlap myself. Until then I had some 110-gr Hydra Shock rounds as I am not carrying it to shoot at 50 yards or even 25 yards, but up close and personal.

Shot placement is the key factor to stopping the fight, it there is any.

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2007, 10:26:22 PM »

I have always heard the 158-gr. SWCHP was the best non-+P load, but I even know some guys who carry LRN bullets in order to get penetration out a short 2" barreled gun. It don't count much if it expands and never reaches any vital organs. Sometimes they don't do either.

I know this is cheatin' since the question was about NON-+P loads, however, I'm kinda lookin' at the new CorBon Pow'RBall stuff. They're claiming 1400 FPS, and 514 FtLbs of energy outta 2" barrel. Hooowe! That sounds like quite a handful goin' off in a 2" snubbie! If anyone's tried this yet, let me know how it shoots!

Shawnee Gene · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2007, 02:16:14 PM »

My S&W 37 is not +p rated. The loads I carry are; Hornady 125 & 158 XTP, Glaser Blue & Silver, and Magtech 158 SJHP. This is my everyday carry gun and the loads I use depending on the season.

Sir Knight · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2007, 02:12:13 AM »

+1 on the Hornady 158 XTP for non +P .38's

35Rem · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2007, 03:50:30 AM »

I saw an expansion test on 2" 38 specials, online somewhere, The Hornady ammo hardly expanded at all at +P velocities. The Speer Gold Dots looked the best.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2007, 12:10:43 PM »

RE: Handloads.com data. It is strange to my way of thinking that the bullets with the LEAST penetration produced the HIGHEST per centage of one shot stops.

Sir Knight · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2007, 04:09:24 PM »

Quote from: 35Rem on July 27, 2007, 03:50:30 AM

I saw an expansion test on 2" 38 specials, online somewhere, The Hornady ammo hardly expanded at all at +P velocities. The Speer Gold Dots looked the best.

Do .38 gold dots come in standard pressure as asked for?

m-g Willy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2007, 09:39:13 AM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller on July 27, 2007, 12:10:43 PM

RE: Handloads.com data. It is strange to my way of thinking that the bullets with the LEAST penetration produced the lowest per centage of one shot stops.

The reason they penetrat less is because they expand more, cutting down on penetration but leaving bigger wound.

Willy

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2007, 05:01:29 PM »

I've been suffering from the notion that PENETRATION is what ya gotta have to stop the perp.

S.S. · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2007, 01:32:38 PM »

158 grain LSWC-HP.

mikedb · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2007, 01:50:41 PM »

Buffalo Bore makes some good non +p rated 38 ammo. From what I have read over the years and seen in tests of the big manufactures the Remington 158gr LSWCHP is the best because the lead is soft and it mushrooms well at low velocity. I would use them.

T-Rex · « **Reply #18 on:** August 28, 2007, 06:04:02 AM »

For all my handguns, 38 special and smaller, I use RBCD, Performance Plus.

It is a very light, high velocity, totally fragmenting soft point. The 38 special is only 60 gr, but, with a muzzle velocity of over 1700 fps. When the bullet hits the target it is followed by a nylon ball that shatters the lead about like a water balloon. The result is complete energy absorbed by the target, and a permanent cavity in flesh of about 7" dia x 10" deep.

As a fringe benefit, the recoil is minimal due to the light projectile. This allows you to bring the muzzle back on target almost immediately for subsequent shots.

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** August 28, 2007, 11:40:41 AM »

Quote

The result is complete energy absorbed by the target, and a permanent cavity in flesh of about 7" dia x 10" deep.

AArrgh you've GOT to be kidding. A centerfire hunting rifle in the '06 or even belted magnum class will not do that. No way a puny .38 special is gonna.

T-Rex · « **Reply #20 on:** August 28, 2007, 02:04:36 PM »

Nope. not kidding in the least. Check the RBCD website (I have provided a link below) I have done some amazing things with the .32's .380's and 9mm, I haven't bothered to actually fire it in my 38 special because it is a revolver, and I don't worry about it cyclling. I am convinced from the results of the smaller rounds that it also works as represented. At almost $2 per round I don't feel the need.
click the link below for the performance specs.
http://www.rbcd.net/Personal%20Defense%20Ammo.htm

Graybeard · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2007, 04:35:06 PM »

Sorry but wild claims from the folks selling it don't make it fact. BUT if you believe it always does man have I got some fine ocean front property in AZ to sell you.

T-Rex · « **Reply #22 on:** August 29, 2007, 02:22:15 AM »

There are always going to be a few "doubting Thomas'". It is good to be a little skeptical, as was I at first. It isn't unusual for a manufacturer to exaggerate or distort facts. But, I have not only seen the company's video, but have personally experimented with three of the smaller calibers, and am amazed.

Save your ocean front and bridges, I do know how to sort out scams.

demented · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2007, 08:20:48 PM »

In aluminum frame revolvers, I carry plain ol' wadcutters. I can hit much better with these than a plus P that almost tears the gun out of my hand. I figure to give them five and then see if my feet will do the rest!

Graybeard · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2007, 09:50:18 PM »

Quote from: demented on September 10, 2007, 08:20:48 PM

In aluminum frame revolvers, I carry plain ol' wadcutters. I can hit much better with these than a plus P that almost tears the gun out of my hand. I figure to give them five and then see if my feet will do the rest!

The only problem I see with that plan is lack of penetration. Those full WCs are very slow, very soft and don't penetrate very deeply. In summer dress I think the perp would be in deep doo-doo but in winter with heavy clothes on I dunno.

demented · « **Reply #25 on:** September 15, 2007, 08:21:12 AM »

Graybeard, you may be right about the wadcutters. I don't trust any handgun round as much as my aforementioned FEET!. I do buy mine from a small company that loads them hotter than typical target wads. Still controllable, hopefullly they will work a bit better. I've found some of the lighter jacketed loads to have even less penetration in my informal tests.