Which .38 Special Load Do You Carry?

[Mark IV Series 80]

Which ammo in .38 Special do you use for defense?

 

[bpisler]

I carry the winchester 158gr LSWCHP +P in my 3" and 4" revolvers,in my 2" i like the cor-bon 125gr +P.

 

[Tamara]

158gr +P LSWCHP in my 640.

 

[kogatana]

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)

 

[C.R.Sam]

Cor-Bon 125gr defensive for the little fellers.
Heavy and hot for the big guns that will take em.

Sam

 

[Brian Williams]

I load my own 158 gr LSWC over 3.5 gr of bullseye. these work very well in my 3" S&W mod 60.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Mine's not on the list...

Federal Nyclad, 125-gr. +P

 

[Tamara]

Would that be a SOJHP? (Sort Of Jacketed Hollow Point)

 

[notbubba]

Federal Nyclad, 125 gr.

 

[HaveGun]

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.

 

[riverdog]

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.

 

[Hutch]

FBI Load. 158gr LSWCHP +P

 

[Cougar]

.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)

 

[Jhp147]

it's not on here

...but put me down for the Federal Nyclad 125s. Standard pressure, so I call 'em "- P."

 

[F=ma]

Another vote for standard-pressure Nyclad 125.

 

[coonan357]

125 silver tips hp +P 's

 

[Dave T]

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.

 

[Ala Dan]

My .38 Special carry load,

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

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[KEN CHAVEZ]

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.

 

[Marmy7451]

RBCD

RBCD is my choice in all our carry guns where it is available.