Originally Posted by RufusDawes
I stumbled across this thread on a random internet search and it describes exactly the question I am trying to answer right now... Pops passed a few years ago and left me a Ruger LCR 38 Special +P and I am looking for a self defense round for it... this YT vid by Paul Harrell concludes that if you are using standard pressure loads then the wadcutter or semi-wadcutter is the way to go instead of a JHP (like a Hornady XTP), here is part 3 is his video series on the topic:



If you are a reloader, and a bullet caster, NOE makes what I think is the perfect bullet for .38 Special self-defense loads, 148 grain hollow base wadcutter (can be loaded upside down as a hollow point, or not):

NOE 360-148-WC

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Because of this thread I ordered the mold and plan to make this my self defense bullet for the LCR. Ran it through QL and looks like I will start with 3.2 grains of W231 which will hopefully give a mild recoil load at around 525 fps, and see what happens. I'll cast the bullet with soft lead and powder coat, and resize to 0.358.

Thanks so much Mr. Dawes and welcome to the "Fire". Great place for the info ya need! Appreciate ya taken the time and effort to join and post this. Turns out I had seen Mr. Harrell's video's in my searches also. Also turns out I had given my friend and his wife some 148 WC's that I used to use for target practice in my 686+. They were pussycat loads and were very easy to shoot well in a full sized gun (bet they would be in a pocket pistol also)! Can't remember what exactly the load was but it was somewhere between 3 & 5 grains of 231. Gotta get some more for the friend and my family to play with and decide if that's what they want to carry. I know my family and my friend and his wife were counting on me to do the footwork for them so to speak but after consideration I decided ANYONE's carry load they will have to decide on themselves! I'll just give em a few different JHP carry loads and some hardcast to try out and let them decide. Couldn't stand if a load I chose didn't do the job and the wrong person went down!

Thanks again and have a great Turkey day!

Proper prior practice prevents piss poor performance!