Self defence ammo for an airweight 38 snubbie

J

jmlv

New member
in NON- +P form. Ideas anybody? Current is afew of the origional hydroshock rounds from the 80's (Wadcutters with the post in the middle of the hollowpoint) or factory wadcutters. I would prefer to keep +p's out of this gun. Are glazers considered +p?
 
At the moment I'm using Winchester Win-Clean 125 grain softpoints in my M38. Nothing else I've tried so far shoots close to point of aim.

I was going to try some Federal 125 grain standard velocity Nyclads and then I heard they'd been discontinued.
 
What Burrhead said, but...

Federal .38 Special Nyclads (non +P) are getting harder to find in many parts of the country. Even Federal itself isn't promoting it the way they used to.

So. If you can find some (non +P), buy several boxes.
 
Glasers are available in both +P and otherwise. If you go that route, use the "Silver Label" instead of Blue - Silvers use much larger lead shot that punches deeper.
 
RBCD is standard pressure and, due to the light bullets, tend recoil less. It is what I carry in my 342.
38 Spl. 60 gr. TFSP 1705 fps / 385 flbs
 
what I use in my snubby 38 (rg mdl 38?) is the Federal 110 Gr JHP "Personal Defense Load". I don't recall the catalog number off the top of my pointy head, though.....
 
Been using hi-velocity(~775 fps) 148 grn wadcutters from 3D.
Reloaded ammo. It shot well but KE was only 185 ft. lbs. and I wanted more!
Will be trying out flatnose 158 grn. (800fps) cowboy action ammo from Winchester this weekend.
Really wanted 148 grn. wadcutters at around 825 - 850fps, or 158 grn. wadcutters at 800 fps but unable to find anything.
Everything is either too slow and wimpy or too fast and won't shoot as well.
My gun is 3" barrell Chief's Special. Seems to shoot better when under velocity is under 900 fps.
 
Airweight blowup

On a civilian range in a shooting booth next to me an airweight was being fired by a fellow with his reloads. We were firing and reloading rapid fire when his gun blew up. The top strap and top three cylinders were gone and the pieces were imbedded in the walls and ceiling of the booth without injury to the shooter. The shooter had popped a round with out powder and the primer power put the bullet past the cylinder into the barrel and a full powered load came after that WOW.

The same thing happened to me with a Ruger Security Six I was trying out with range reloads years later. My weapon on the second round spit some lead to the side and the lead spread over the front of the cylinder and up under the top strap jamming the Ruger. When I pried out all of the lead to open the Ruger there was no damage at all in the barrel and to the cylinder.

I have not wanted to possess or reccomend any airweight after that experience.
 
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I use the Federal "Personal Defence"110 grainers as well. They are pretty cheap at Wal-Mart, and that, is the sole reason. Well, that and the very light recoil.
 
Black Hills, blue box 125rg jhp, standard pressure, very accurate. Rem, 125 gr standard pressure jhp. Both shot to POA in my 442. Glaser Silver is good but flash is big &bright. Hornady 125 gr XTP standard pressure is accurate to 10 meters and very effective.
I have recently tried 158 gr SWHP +P and they are great in my 442 but inacurate in my sp101.
My favorite is 125 gr Nyclad but they are obsolete. I am sure that one of the makers will soon come up with a more modern load.
Mike
 
Plain old 148-grain wadcutters (hard cast not swaged). Generally very accurate and easy shooting, they should give you good wound channels (and hopefully two holes to let blood out and air in).
 
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