Personal Defense Ammo for 38 Spl.
- Thread starter bamiller
- Start date
comn-cents
New member
I carry 110 grain cor bon.
NickySantoro
Moderator
OP,
The recoil of the recommended Speer 135 gr is a bit snappy out of a 2" Rossi. I have that same combo as my spare house gun. If the Mrs is recoil sensitive, consider the 125 gr Federal Nyclad. It's much easier to handle and, if properly placed, will get the job done. My wife was startled by the recoil of the Speers in her 2" Smith but has no trouble with the Federal 125s.
The recoil of the recommended Speer 135 gr is a bit snappy out of a 2" Rossi. I have that same combo as my spare house gun. If the Mrs is recoil sensitive, consider the 125 gr Federal Nyclad. It's much easier to handle and, if properly placed, will get the job done. My wife was startled by the recoil of the Speers in her 2" Smith but has no trouble with the Federal 125s.
Smoke Screen
New member
I use Hornady JHP +P's. They suck for target shooting, but would be great for S. defense.
Hay Ba Mille,
Rossie is a low cost revolver that seems to have a faithful
following of satisfied customers.
But,
I would not shoot +p in a Rossi unless it is rated for +p.
I know that Rossi Model 351/352 Double Action Revolver
is rated for +p. I believe it is printed on the barrel.
If not 158 grain SWCHP +p, just use 158 grain SWC.
For less recoil use a lighter bullet.
Happy Shooting,
Tabdog
Rossie is a low cost revolver that seems to have a faithful
following of satisfied customers.
But,
I would not shoot +p in a Rossi unless it is rated for +p.
I know that Rossi Model 351/352 Double Action Revolver
is rated for +p. I believe it is printed on the barrel.
If not 158 grain SWCHP +p, just use 158 grain SWC.
For less recoil use a lighter bullet.
Happy Shooting,
Tabdog
bamiller, again, take a look at the Buffalo Bore website. Specifically developed for a snubbie.
"Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 150 gr. Hard Cast Wad Cutter (850fps/M.E. 241 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box
'
Due to customer demand, we've developed this defensive 38SPL ammo. Our customers wanted some devastating 38SPL loads that would fill the following criteria.
1. It won't hurt older/fragile/alloy revolvers. (Non +P)
2. Is effective as a "fight stopper" through the use of proper bullets.
3. Is more powerful than typical/standard, weak 38SPL ammo.
4. Generate much less recoil than our +P 38SPL ammo.
5. Is flash suppressed.
These loads will not harm older more fragile revolvers. Again, these loads recoil far less than our +P 38 SPL ammo. All three of these loads are flash suppressed, so firing them in the dark wont blind you."
I have not actually fired them yet, but they "read well".
"Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 150 gr. Hard Cast Wad Cutter (850fps/M.E. 241 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box
'
Due to customer demand, we've developed this defensive 38SPL ammo. Our customers wanted some devastating 38SPL loads that would fill the following criteria.
1. It won't hurt older/fragile/alloy revolvers. (Non +P)
2. Is effective as a "fight stopper" through the use of proper bullets.
3. Is more powerful than typical/standard, weak 38SPL ammo.
4. Generate much less recoil than our +P 38SPL ammo.
5. Is flash suppressed.
These loads will not harm older more fragile revolvers. Again, these loads recoil far less than our +P 38 SPL ammo. All three of these loads are flash suppressed, so firing them in the dark wont blind you."
I have not actually fired them yet, but they "read well".
If this writer is getting 36" of penetration in ballistic gelatin at 657 fps with an Oregon Trails 148 grain hardcast wadcutter I think the 150 grain Buffalo Bore at 850 fps would penetrate real good. That is the load I got for my wife for her 13 ounce S&W M&P360 .357 scandium J Frame. Thanks to whoever posted this in the first place don't remember who to thank - http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/HG_wickedwadcutters_200901/
AcridSaint
New member
I shoot a 2" Rossie 357 regularly. I can tell the difference between +P and standard pressure ammo, but neither is rough. 357s are manageable out of that gun, in my opinion. This is the six shot 461.
I don't know what model you have, but I don't think that the +P ammo is going to be a problem unless your wife has voiced that she is recoil sensitive. Some folks don't like the 357s out of my SP101, the first time my wife shot an SP101 she put down the 22 and never wanted to shoot anything that small again. She's only about 105lbs, so size isn't the issue, some folks just tolerate recoil better than others.
The only thing to watch out for is what ammo it is rated for. This is why I'm a big proponent of the 357 - it can shoot anything you want and some things you don't want
I don't know what model you have, but I don't think that the +P ammo is going to be a problem unless your wife has voiced that she is recoil sensitive. Some folks don't like the 357s out of my SP101, the first time my wife shot an SP101 she put down the 22 and never wanted to shoot anything that small again. She's only about 105lbs, so size isn't the issue, some folks just tolerate recoil better than others.
The only thing to watch out for is what ammo it is rated for. This is why I'm a big proponent of the 357 - it can shoot anything you want and some things you don't want
If your revolver is rated for +P and if the recoil is not too offensive, I'd reccomend the "FBI Load" as available from several manufacturers. This loading is a 158grn LSWCHP +P and is well regarded amongst most authorities on such things. If +P ammo isn't feasable, I'd reccomend Hornady 110grn Standard Pressure Critical Defense. While it isn't +P and has fairly mild recoil, this loading both penetrates better and expands more reliably from a snub than most other 110grn JHP's. If all else fails, good old 148grn HBWC isn't all that bad: recoil is light, penetration is excellent, and there is a moderate amount of expansion.
Just make sure that if you are going to carry any of these lightweight-bullet defensive loads (compared to 158gr, anyway), you shoot some to find out where they are going to land.
Many .38 revolvers will not shoot anywhere near point of aim with 125gr HPs, nevermind 110gr.
Hitting what you aim at is more important than with what.
Many .38 revolvers will not shoot anywhere near point of aim with 125gr HPs, nevermind 110gr.
Hitting what you aim at is more important than with what.
NightSleeper
New member
I have an ultra-light .38spl snubby and I found that +P ammo makes the gun jump so much that I need to quickly readjust my grip for the next shot. Instead, I much prefer Winchester 110 grain hollow points, considered light by many, because I can fire followup shots much faster and with more accuracy than with +P.
You may want to consider this for your wife. You should probably get a box of several different brands mentioned in this thread and have her decide for herself on the shooting range.
Doc Intrepid
New member
+1 to NightSleeper.
My wife also loads Winchester 110 gr. silvertips in her 2" S&W j-frame, because its what she prefers at the range.
Bought 4-5 boxes of different ammunition, and let her pick which one she wanted. Things with my wife generally work smoother that way...
If she ever needs to shoot some idiot with it, I'm sure they will be effective. But he'll probably already be incapacitated by the death-rays that she shoots out of her eyes when she turns hostile...
My wife also loads Winchester 110 gr. silvertips in her 2" S&W j-frame, because its what she prefers at the range.
Bought 4-5 boxes of different ammunition, and let her pick which one she wanted. Things with my wife generally work smoother that way...
If she ever needs to shoot some idiot with it, I'm sure they will be effective. But he'll probably already be incapacitated by the death-rays that she shoots out of her eyes when she turns hostile...