38 spl defense loads

N

Noreaster

New member
I've been using Win silvertips 125 grain 38 spl +p for my night stand revolver but I'm looking into a replacement round. From a 3inch barrel what are your thougts on the 158 FBI load vs the short barrel 135 grain type loads. Looking for a compromise between expansion and adequate penetration. Accuracy is a second thought as my longest shot would be five yards.
 
I have three bullets I use for 38 spc.

NOE 358429 175 gr. Keith swc
Lee 158 rnfp
Lyman 358156 HP BareBottomed

All use 3gr. of CLAYS all do a good job !
 
I use the Buffalo Bore® Std Pressure 158gr LSWCHCGC. Same velocity & energy of the Remington® FBI +P load w/o the heavy recoil or muzzle blast.
 
38 spl ammo

A few years ago, I ordered 38 spl ammo from CTD that was advertised as being loaded for the snub nose revolver. After shooting the box bought to try out this ammo, I got online to order more but none was available. I think it was Winchester brand. Has anyone else tried this ammo or seen it available?
 
Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158gr has same velocity/etc. as the FBI +P load "without the blast and recoil"???

How, exactly, does that work???

.
 
I'm interested in this as well. I have a 3", and have FBI load or the Speer Short Barrel available. Currently loaded with the Speer, but I'm unsure if 3" is considered a Short Barrel. The risk, of course, would be reduced penetration due to early expansion.
 
The Speer 135g GDHP Short Barrel is THE choice for your application.

There are other +P 125's and even 110g choices (Speer also makes a Short Barrel 110g +P) that would be adequate. But Speer has got the short barrel market cornered. Low flash; low noise, low recoil; while preserving good expansion from short barrel velocities.
 
While the 135gr Speer Short Barrel load is an excellent choice for revolvers with sights regulated for lighter bullets and/or when crimp-jumping is an issue (jacketed bullets are less likely to do this than lead), my preference is for the Remington 158gr LSWCHP +P when those two concerns are not an issue. The heavier bullet tends to penetrate a touch more while the soft lead that Remington uses typically expands just as well, if not better, than the Speer Gold Dot. Also, the recoil of the 158gr bullet seems to be more of a slow push while the 135gr Speer feels more like a sharp snap from my revolver (S&W M36).
 
I have a large supply of CCI Blazer 148 LSWHP +P on hand. I've been trying to find out the actual velocity for this discontinued ammo without seccess. My chrony is not working, and I'm wondering if the Blazer ammo is close to the "FBI load"?
Also, what I would really like to use in my LCR is the Speer Short Barrel +P. However, It is impossibly to find in my area. Does anybody have a line on an internet source? All I have checked are also out of stock.
 
I'll get both and see how they do. Maybe some informal testing on phone books or something. The load, if I ever had to use it, would probably be used at night so the Speer could have an edge there with reduced flash.
 
"The Speer 135g GDHP Short Barrel is THE choice for your application."

That's my choice for my S&W 042 Centennial Airweight, as well.

Few years ago I shot several into a water-filled trash can.

Penetration was about 24" based on the dents on the opposite side of the can, and expansion was perfect.
 
...Few years ago I shot several into a water-filled trash can...
Click to expand...
Wow! I would like to do some testing like that with my carry .38, but cannot afford that "test media", I guess I will have to wait until the neighbors go to sleep so I can borrow theirs.
Years ago, I filled some milk jugs full of water, lined them up to see what kind of point blank expansion and penitration I would get with a .45 loaded with the old Speer, "flying ash trays"...got very wet.
 
Rural freedom

My old mid-range load of Speer 140 gr. & Unique had a rural begining..( friends of Farm-folk)Having a good friend in "Jack C." made my practice time, very enjoyable. His folks had a farm in Pa. 23 miles from me . ALONG SIDE OF GOOD TRIGGER-TIME; Jack's parents wre always happy when I brought their Son (back home)for an extra family visit.
I developed as a better revolver shooter at that time. Actually a better shot ,all the way around. As John C. Sr. was a M.P. ( in Post-War Germany) his expertise in shooting techniques , were very valuable to me.
Thanks to both; Dad & Son.
 
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Oddly enough, my friend's farm was in Pennsylvania, outside a small town near Harrisburg.

We shot everything there over the years, handguns, rifles, shotguns, and even several blackpowder cannon we made ourselves.
 
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