Best Self Defense Load in a Snubby

T

The Bolt Man

New member
I know this subject has been beat to death, but the more I read the more confused I get. I like many others would like to know what are the best choices of self defense ammo for a 2" 38 Spl. snubby revolver. One not intended for +P ammo.

Ammo that is often suggested as best. Several factory self defense type of ammo. Wad cutter ammo. Light and fast or heavy although slow. The list goes on.

This I believe to be true. Shot placement comes first on my list. Next, the bullet has to penetrate deep enough to mess up some vitals.

I am not sure bullet expansion is more important than penetration. Great expansion without enough penetration isn't the answer.

Then comes the argument about recoil and if the shooter can handle the heavier recoiling loads that offer good penetration. Heavy bullets usually have heavier recoil. +P ammo can be more than some shooters can handle well and isn't recommended for many snub nosed revolvers. Some wad cutters don't penetrate well and some do. One person stated a bad guy was shot with wad cutters and one round remained in his wrist and another hit him in the torsal and he didn't even know he had been hit there.

Does anyone know of good data resulting from considerable testing that could help with the choice of effective self defense ammo for the 38 Spl. snubby.
 
If I recall correctly, the "Box of Truth" website tested wadcutters out of a snubbie and was thoroughly impressed. They overpenetrated, actually.
 
I have 2 old boxes of Scorpion 38 ammo that has hollow base wadcutters with a center post seated backwards. They may even say hydroshock, been a while since I've seen them. Definitely not Federal ammunition.
 
Don't over-analyse this. Get an inexpensive hollowpoint round you can run 500 rounds a year as training, and go for it. Revolvers will feed anything.

Shot placement is a lot more critical than over-penetration concerns.
 
Give strong consideration to Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point SB. The SB is for Short Barrel. Powders used are engineered for maximum performance in barrels under 4". Developed by Speer in conjunction with NYPD for use in J-frame Chiefs, Glock 26 and their other-brand equivalents.
 
Buffalo Bore 158 Gr. lead-semi-wadcutter-hollow-points worth a look

Buffalo Bore 158Grain lead-semi-wadcutter-hollow-points are non +P but are only about 40 fps less than big name +P from other makers.

They are a little expensive, but worth the money. Normally they expand a little with about 14" penetration. If they don't expand they punch through 19 + inches of gel.

The Non +P was apparently the first ".38 Spec. "FBI Load". later they moved to +P 158 Gr. lead-semi-wadcutter-hollow-points and it is called the "FBI Load"..

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/45...r-hollow-point-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Regarding guns and ammo, its always good to pay attention to what Law Enforcement used/uses... IMHO
 
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I carry the CorBon DPX 110gr+P. I have found it to do everything the Speer Short Barrel does, penetration and expansion, with less recoil.

They are both top line loads for a snubby.
 
I don't want to shoot +P's through my .38's they just weren't made for them. I know the popular opnion is to doit in moderation and don't worry about Steel framed revolvers.
Naw, I just can't!
The solution has been Speer XTP bullets loaded especally at the Factory for .38 Special pressures. These fire great out of my Model 10 and Model 36! Low recoil and accurate!
If I can't count on these, I'll just go back to the old standard a 158 gr .38 Special Factory load. It worked all those years fot the Police and Military and it still works today!
The .38 Spec will never be a .357 Mag and there's no use pushing your classic all steel revolver trying to make it a .357 The standard full power load is a good one and yes it is nearly at rhe bottom of the list of combat cartriges but it's STILL on the list here in 2014!!!
That's saying somthing for the round!
I pratice as often as I can to make my groups as small as I can and to keep handling the guns "second nature". It's the only way to make sure as you can that when you need it, the gun and load will preform.
ZVP
 
I'm with ZVP, I just can't bring myself to shoot +P ammo out of my old Model 36. I have practiced a lot. And load it with Hornady Critical Defense NON +P It likes them and groups really well with that load. With all that said Non +P Ammo out of my 36 is just one of the reasons I have a Model 60-15 Three incher on Layaway, that I'm chipping away at the amount owed. ;)
 
'Best defense load in a snubby' is the one one you shoot the best, at the distance you figure you might have to use it, say ten feet. For me it is a 158 grain JHP at about 860 fps.
 
I've seen way too many videos lately of short-barreled .38s firing bullets that failed to expand in media. The good news from that is that there was decent penetration as a result.

If I ever go the .38 snub nose route I'd carry 158gr SWC or JHP. Once again, if the JHP fails to expand, at least you have a heavy enough FMJ at that point to get good penetration.
 
Good expansion and adequate penetration out of a standard pressure .38 special snubbie is going to difficult to achieve on a reliable basis. Adequate penetration is more important than mushrooming slugs. That's why I prefer either 148 gr. lead wadcutters or 158 gr. LSWCHPs like the Buffalo Bore loads. They may not expand a great deal but they will penetrate sufficiently.
 
ammo for snubby

I asked this question several months ago. From the responses, I went out and bought 4 boxes of ammo. 2- Speer 38 specials 135 grains and 2 boxes of Hornady 38 spec 110 grains for my 2" revolver. I saw absolutely no difference between the 2 ammos and actually preferred Hornady over Speer.
But, this is my preference and my experience with the the two.I did not try the Buffalo Bore which I will do so.
You have to go out and buy ammo of ALL THE AMMO SUGGESTED and maybe not suggested and then make up your own mind. The Pros are correct in Practice Practice Practice.
I am definitely not a pro but I am learning.
 
Yeah, IMhO we're over thinking this by a lot.

I'm really moving to the side that says a 'good' shot with anything will do the job and a bad shot with ANYTHING isn't going to do it.

It's possible there is no 'Excaliber' bullet out there.
 
An effective round can still improve your odds..

Yes, I agree with your statement that there is no magic “Excalibur” bullet, per se…

Everyone will always strive for the best shot placement they are capable of, but a proven and effective round can improve your odds, with all other known variables being the same..

Most Military and Law enforcement Agencies all over the world study ballistics and ammo performance and tests and etc., and then require certain duty rounds to be used on duty for good reason(s).

That is why there is so much interest in technical information and opinions about ammo on gun forums from the fast growing gun culture….
 
I will commend the OP for first recognizing the distainction between what is good for a snubby, and what is good for a longer barrel.

I carry a snubby, and this is my logic.

Hollow points need to reach a sufficient velocity to expand properly. - Maybe 900fps+ depending on bullet. Old Speer reloading manulas idin't even give non- +P data for hollow points. An unexpanded hollowpoint is a round nose bullet. Most snubbys don't get there unless you are using very light bullets. 110gr used to be popular at one time.

I'm sure bullets have improved, but rather than rely on expansion at marginal velocities, I go with a heavier bullet that penetrates, doesn't expand, but causes maximum damage for a non-expanding bullet. That would be the 148gr Double end hard cast wadcutter loaded to just under +P pressures to help keep the jump down. Keep in mind, if you carry speed loaders, you'll want something else in you speed loader because wadcutters don't drop in so well.

I'm a believer in 125gr +P jacketed hollow points for the 6" house gun where sufficient velocities can be reached, but not for the snubbie.
 
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I won't shoot +P through my model 60 . Critical Defense is my ammo of choice for carry in it.

I am not concerned too much about deep penetration as I only carry the snubby in the hot months (I pocket carry it).

For colder months I carry either my M&P Shield or a 5" 1911 in appendix carry.
 
I shoot wadcutter through mine.

They are pretty anaemic, but they are accurate and follow ups are much easier, so they are my choice. My skill level and the .38 Spl are such quicker follow ups are more important to me than brute force.
 
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