158 Grain Wadcutters

.38 or .357?

If .38, why not use a +P 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint?

If .357, why not use a Federal Nyclad 158 gr. nylon coated lead semi-wadcutter hollow point?
 
I use 158 gr LSWC pushed by 3.4 gr unique in my s&W mod60 38 spec. It puts 10 shots inside 2 inches at 15 yards.

I would like to find a good supply of 158gr LSWCHP w/ gas check.
 
I don't believe that HPs are as effective

as we'd like to believe they are. Still, I always carry them because of that possiblity of higher performance if I should ever need them.;)
 
SOMETIMES

I think I should carry wadcutters in my 2 CCW guns. Just to make me know that I have squib loads and to think 10 times before using it.
BUT, I don't. I carry the personal defense loads just because of the name. They are adequate for the job and I....LOVE...that name in case I ever have to go to court and state what I carry.
 
Chief . . .

158 grain LSWCs were the "FBI load" and remain a very effective round. From a two-inch tube, there probably is a velocity trade-off with 124/125-grain projectiles, however.
 
Hey Fess- My Friend,

Do you regularly carry your personal handload's for defensive
purpose's? While I trust my own handload's , I've been
led to believe that this practice is a definite NO-NO. :eek:

There is always that possibility that a factory round might be a
"dud" also.

Generally speaking, I think that most handloader's are
extra careful when performing each function; taking extreme
care to produce only the best ammunition possible, and also
rejecting any round that has a deformity.:D I would not have
any quarms about carrying any of the ammo that I produce.
I was just wondering about that ole' wives tale, and would
like to hear some opinion's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Ayoob, an leo himself, has testified at many trials and states that some prosecuters, or defense lawyers, can make a really big deal about your handloaded mankiller bullets. seems it is rather unkind of you to shoot the BG with these. someone in another post somewhere said "carry what the cops carry", then little argument can be made. think that is sound advice. i prefer my blow out their backbone handloads, but . . . . . . .

hos
 
I carry in my S&W mod 60 38 spec 158 gr LSWC pushed by 3.4 gr unique. I use Win brass (shot twice, then put in the practice pile) and CCI regular primers. For my Personal protection carry I: weigh my bullets for accurate and even sizes, clean the primer pockets, hand seat each primer and check that it is flush and secure, weigh each powder charge, seat and crimp each bullet to an exact Over All Length. I only do this much fuss for about 15 rounds each month because I carry 5 in the gun and 6 in a speed strip in my pocket. the 4 extras sit on my dresser if I mess up the bullet while in my pocket or reloading the cylinder after dry firing, presentation practice, or range use. I shoot my carry set each month. I shoot about 100 to 150 rounds in the 60 each month.

As you can see I make a fuss about my reloads for carry, but I am very finicky about my reloads anyway just more so for the carry set. These loads are not hi velocity loads by any means, but I would not want to try and catch one. I will sometimes carry Win white box 125gr JHP Personal protection +p loads, that is the source of my brass. I shoot these once and reload once for the carry set then the brass goes in the practice pile. a box of 50 lasts me 3 months +.

Some CC's fuss about lawyers and these mankiller loads that some handloaders carry, some fuss about buying loads marked Personal Protection, I figure if I shoot someone I am in a world of deep lawyer dodo anyway, so I load my own and I know they work.

so bpppplllllltttttt!!!!! :) (funny tongue sound)
Brian
<><
 
I find myself having to ask this question - one that I've heard asked before with no definitive answer:

Does anyone know of a self defense shooting in which the ammunition selection had anything to do with the outcome in court? Specific cases? I've heard the conjecture and suppositions people have offered, both in print and in gunshop, but have never actually heard of someone going to jail because they "used the wrong ammo".
 
And you probably never will. That's the least important issue in a shooting.

My only worry about using reloads for defense is whether I got that primer seated properly or not.
 
If one were to be tried for a defensive shooting in a Criminal court, I doubt if the ammunition used were to ever come into question.

But please be aware, that is not the only court in which you could be subjected to.

There is also civil court. Though you cannot be thrown in the slammer for a "guilty" verdict in such courts, it may be just as devastating economically for one's family.
In civil court, regardless if you were found "Not Guilty" or even "Innocent" in criminal court, you could still stand lose all that you have and possibly a garnishment against all future income (for the cost of professional life-long medical care of the maimed "victim" of one of your nasty "nuclear-armageddon-manslayer" defensive rounds).

All you would need to stack the cards against you in some cases may be a judge that watches The Rosie Show while drinking his coffee every morning and a "I Love My Kitty" bumper sticker on the back of his Subaru.

Then again, you may not be sued for your choice of ammunition.
However, here you have a Risk vs Rewards issue.
One must question whether their defensive handloads offer any tangible performance over factory premium defensive loads.

Personally, I think I'll let the buck stop at Federal. I honestly believe Hydra-Shoks are easily sufficient for the task.
 
If we are lawyer-proofing guns in an effort to reduce liability in from of a civil court jury, what makes you think ammo will be ignored.

While you fess over your personal carry ammo, a hungry lawyer trying to establish your culpability in a shooting incident will make it out to be something you never imagined.

Use commercial SP ammo.
 
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