Best Self Defense Load in a Snubby

non +P I'd have to go with the wadcutters.
A HP will hinder penetration, for a slightly bigger hole. I'd rather have the slightly smaller hole, and ensure that it goes deep enough especially with the low velocity of a snubby and non +P ammo. It's going to be sending bullets at a low velocity. Ie. not good for penetration either. a SWC or full WC will ensure more than adequate penetration and a pretty nasty hole.

I have a sort of generalized rule that I follow. If the cartridge develops less than 200ft-lbs at the muzzle, I opt for a solid/non-expanding bullet, preferably with the biggest widest meplat available. The wadcutters ensure sufficient penetration with decent terminal performance. An expanding bullet could risk stopping too short in certain situations. A pass through is OK, IMO.

If you believe the 'energy dump' is what kills the BG, you're better off throwing punches, because most humans can punch with force more than common pistol cartridges can put out at the muzzle, in terms of raw energy. :cool:
 
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Best Self Defense Load in a Snubby
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For snubbies, +p or not, I prefer a Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWHP at 850, then I handload a 158gr LSWC at about the same velocity for practice.

I shoot snubs alot and I feel, as a few above do, that skill is far more important than any magic bullet.

Deaf
 
After seeing what one did to a large dog,,,

After seeing what one did to a very large dog,,,
I'm a believer in the plain Jane wadcutter.

The round went in the chest and penetrated to the heart,,,
The amount of bleeding was impressive,,,
The dog was dead in moments.

So, that's what I keep in my Model 36.

Aarond

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I'm a believer in the plain Jane wadcutter.
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Hand loaded or factory?

If the latter, what are the performance figures?

I don't really understand what the figures mean, but I know they are bigger for my .44 than they are for my .38!!

Still, if I can compare your factory figures with my factory figures, then I have some idea what mine might perform like.

Also, were they from a snub like yours or another type of gun?
 
I'm a believer in the plain Jane wadcutter.

Hand loaded or factory?

If the latter, what are the performance figures?
Click to expand...

Factory Loads,,,
I have no data on them,,,
I stumbled on the Remington cartridges by accident.

The gun was a 1 7/8" Model 36,,,
I shot the dog from about 12 feet.

Aarond

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Additional Testing of My S&W Model 36 1-7/8" Barrel

I have to agree with those that think the 148 grain wad cutter is probably the best choice for self defense in the 1-7/8" barrel snubby. I think a well placed shot with the WC will do as much good in preventing the bad guy from continuing an attack as any of the wanta be man stoppers.

All this talk about the best for a snubby, for me, has resulted from the possibility the S&W 36 38 special may be my choice of a carry firearm. Then when small is desired, maybe my PPK-S 380. That has even less hitting power. Then maybe my 9x18 Mak, it is a bit more powerful. Well why not my 1911 9mm or 45 ACP. For sure my 44 Magnum will do the job. Too little power or too big and heavy to hide.

I ranted a bit. What choice of firearm we choose to carry is governed by so many things it becomes a very personal choice, just as does the choice of the type of ammunition we prefer. The many suggestions presented in this forum has helped me and I believe others. Thanks for all the help.

Today I managed to get out and retry the loads I was having trouble with the bullets tipping at 50 feet. I increased all the powder charges to near maximum hoping the increase in velocity would stabilize the bullets better. I used Bullseye powder hoping it would increase the velocity best in the short barrel.

Leading started to become an issue with the near maximum powder charges for the cast bullets. Some were minor and others bad enough to suggest it wouldn't take more than (25) rounds before accuracy would suffer. Who cares when only one or two shots are required. If (15) or (18) rounds are required, you are in a hell of a gun fight, not a one on one self defense situation.

The wadcutters did stabilize better but still tipped ever so slightly. Not enough to be a real concern though.

The round nose cast bullets, several different ones, didn't tip.

As for accuracy, the two lightest bullets, a 125 gr. HP plated by Rainier and my cast 115 gr. WC from a H&G mould were by far the best. The only problem with them is they shoot 5-6" below the point of aim at (50) feet. The heavier 148 and 158 grain bullets shot 1 to 3" low at (50) feet.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 
If you're casting your own bullets, check out the Lee 158 grain RNFP (Lee calls it a "RF".) It has a very wide flat nose with a sharp edge. They cut big clean holes in paper, just not as big as wadcutters.

It's what I have in my LCR right now, with 3.5 grains of Bullseye.
 
These guys are awesome, I trust them to my self defense ammo more than I trust myself loading it...
http://www.underwoodammo.com/38special.aspx

they make 400 corbon better than corbon, I have compared them side by side, aI have around 1000 rnds of their ammo in the safe right now, when ever they have sales I make it a point to stock up... They are having a sale right now with coupon codes, I ordered yesterday $25 off...

PS I have shot a lot of their ammo and never had an issue, I have also talked many people into buying from them and never heard of an issue, they are a good company to deal with, I always get a great product...
 
Just loaded up some 148-grain hollow base wadcutters for my old Charter arms Undercover. Hollowpoint expansion is doubtful with standard pressure 38 loads, so wadcutters it is.

With my Airweight J-frame however, I run +P Gold Dots, and I'm fairly confident that they'll expand in the right circumstances.
 
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