Which .38 Special Load Do You Carry?

Which .38 Special Ammo Type Do You Use for Defense?

  • 110 gr Jacketed Hollow Point

    Votes: 8 7.5%
  • 110 gr +P Jacketed Hollow Point

    Votes: 4 3.8%
  • 125 gr +P Jacketed Hollow Point

    Votes: 33 31.1%
  • 130 gr Full Metal Jacket

    Votes: 3 2.8%
  • 148 gr Wadcutter

    Votes: 3 2.8%
  • 158 gr Full Metal Jacket

    Votes: 1 0.9%
  • 158 gr Lead Round Nose

    Votes: 1 0.9%
  • 158 gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter

    Votes: 8 7.5%
  • 158 gr +P LSWCHP

    Votes: 41 38.7%
  • Shot Shells, Frangibles, Exotics

    Votes: 4 3.8%

  • Total voters
    106
Two revolver carry: .38 Special Ammo

S&W Model 66 4-inch barrel round butt: Corbon 125-grain +P 1125 fps (rated)
S&W Model 640 2 1/8-inch barrel: Glaser Silver 80-grain +P 1650 fps (rated)
 
I do beleive that 158 Grain SWHP (FBI load) is a good one. BUT, when I carry extra speed strips or speed loaders in my pocket,
I notice that the soft lead hollow points get closed (pushed together) from banging around in my pocket. I know the rounds in the gun are good. Oh well ....Shot placement right? I carry 125 grain + P, jacketed hollow points. They will work also.
 
Depends ... My S&W Mod 12 and 14 use 148 LWC exclusively, neither should shoot +P. I guess a 158 gr LSWCHP (non-+P) would be considered.

My N-frames and GP-100 are strictly .357 shooters; leaving my Security Six and Mod 19's., which shoot either a 125 gr +P JHP load or a .357 Mag 158gr JHP load, when they aren't shooting 148 LWC.
 
.38 ammo choice

My choice is not listed, so I went with the closest.

My 3" is normally stoked with non +P 125gr jhp (or should I say plain old 125gr jhp).

Other times it holds the old Remington Multi-Ball load (two 70gr 000-buck lead balls inside of a standard .38 case)
 
All the data and reports I've seen give the nod to the 158g +P LSWCHP. If I had to carry a 38, I'd get a box of these from every manufacturer and shoot them for point of impact and velocity. The one that performed best from "my" revolver would be my carry load.
 
My .38 Special carry load,

is Federal's 125 grain "Hydra Shok" +P's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Here are two .38 Special +P

Both are Cor-Bon : 110grain JHP, out of a 4" barrel, at 1250fps/ 382 ft-lbs and also out a 4" barrel, 125grain JHP, at 1125fps, 351ft-lbs.
Just a thought.
 
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