38 special

158gr. .38spl @ 875fps @ 268.5 kinetic foot pounds muzzle energy.
147gr. 9mm @ 950fps. @ 294.5 kinetic foot pounds muzzle energy.
 
Close, but no cigar. The problem is that 38 Special does not seem to offer nearly as wide a range of self defense ammunition as there is for 9 mm Parabellum.
 
Don't get too wrapped up in power figures. At the end of the wound channel you can look back to find a pretty long bloody hole that either one of them made. It's my understanding that there are far more important things to worry about than whether or not one cartridge is stronger or faster than the other by the small margin such as comparing standard nine to .38.

You aren't comparing the nine to the .357.
 
rmocarsky, I have chronographed some 38 Special and 9mm in a variety of firearms and would have no argument with BBTI's numbers. If anything though, I've found BBTI's 150-200 FPS advantage of the 9MM to be conservative......
 
327 magnum vs. 38 special

what is The average speed of a 32 H&R 80 grain Hornady ammo vs. the average speed of a 38 special?
The same question is for Muzzle Energy ft.-lb. The 32 H&R Hornady is fired from a LCR 327 in magnum 1.87"

The 38 special is fired from any revolver of similar barrel length

I hope I wrote this post correctly.
 
Greetings,

How does a 38 Special +P from a 4" bbl. stack up against the 9mm?

That is all.
Click to expand...

What bullet weights? What type bullets? For self defense or pest hunting?

what is The average speed of a 32 H&R 80 grain Hornady ammo vs. the average speed of a 38 special?
The same question is for Muzzle Energy ft.-lb. The 32 H&R Hornady is fired from a LCR 327 in magnum 1.87"

The 38 special is fired from any revolver of similar barrel length
Click to expand...

There are many loads for the 38 Spl. and weight bullets. Anything from about 90grs to 200 grs for very different purposes. So to say an average speed is and could be misleading when comparing to another round. There are fewer selections of bullet types and weight's for the 32 H&R.

Folks may want to pick up a reloading manual, new or used, and do some comparing to the ballistics there. Or Forker's book Ammo and Ballistics. These are often easier to use than the internet.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/32hr.html

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Handguns/Handguns.html

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/

These and other places may help you.

Here look at some of the ammo here. You can look up the technical specs by clicking on what you want to look at.

https://www.midwayusa.com/32-h-and-r-magnum/br?cid=9523

https://www.midwayusa.com/38-special/br?cid=21694

https://www.midwayusa.com/9mm-luger/br?cid=21659


tipoc
 
If you look throughout history, many people have been killed with a standard LRN bullet from 22s to 45s. So don't short change the 38 special.
 
Factory 38 ammo has to be kept mild due to the proliferation of old and crappy guns in this caliber. The +P really isn't and I consider it a very weak load. Properly loaded the 38 can match the 9mm but no factory load will do it.
 
They are really two different cartridges with completely different properties. you could create a load that would match the nine simply based on capacity and bullet characteristics,

The nine, however, is loaded to 35,000 or so pressure and the .38 special is limited to roughly half that for standard loads.


If you loaded the .38 special up to 35,000 pressure, you would have a .357 magnum.

The nine was created for lighter high velocity semi automatic rounds and the .38 was created as a black powder equivalent round, with high capacity and heavy bullets, for use with guns made to shoot lower pressures. Weaker steel and 1800's workmanship.
 
Don't get too wrapped up in power figures. At the end of the wound channel you can look back to find a pretty long bloody hole that either one of them made. It's my understanding that there are far more important things to worry about than whether or not one cartridge is stronger or faster than the other by the small margin such as comparing standard nine to .38.
Click to expand...
Good post, Brian and very true. Rod
 
I am with Brian, except

38 special is a straight wall case .357” vs a smaller tapered case .355”

.38 is a much better starting foundation for hand loading ammunition. .357 magnum is a better choice in a 4” barrel because you never need to go full throttle, but you have the choice. I suspect the resale value on .357s is better because “more is better” mentality
 
Doing what? Comparing 'em is an apples and oranges thing.
SAAMI Max pressure for the .38 Special +P is 18,500 PSI. 35,000 for the 9mm.
However, that doesn't mean a lot if you're trying to compare which one is better for SD. The answer to that question is neither is better. Poke a hole in a bad guy with either and he'll stop bothering you.
"...the ballistics there..." Rarely any ballistics in loading manuals. Ballistics isn't just about velocity or pressures. If the manual even has pressure numbers.
 
I've got a few boxes of Winchester 200gr 38sp that look like they might hurt if you put one it a bad guys pelt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top