Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Best defense load for a snubby?

I have a 38 special 2" snubby (Rossi stainless) like this one.



What would you consider the best defense load for this little guy?

Thanx in advance.

Speer 135 grain "Short Barrel" load. It was specifically designed for a 2" snubbie like yours and performs very well. This is an idea that was way overdue.

It's the only load I use in a .38 Snubbie.

I'd go along with the "short barrel" ammo. Second choice would be the +P 158 gr lead HP.

Without a doubt, 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint +p is the best. This is the classic FBI load. It was the most popular load for snubbies for a long long time, and for good reason. It just plain worked. Stopping power with this load, out of a 2" snubby, is about equal to a .45 ACP using military 230 grain ball. Buffalo Bore makes the hottest rendition of this load, but Remington, Federal and Winchester all carry it too.

please look at www.rbcd.net
thier 38 SPL is 1705 fps / 385 flbs out of a 1 7/8" BBL.
thats 45ACP energy.

Buffalo Bore's .38 Spec. +P 158 gr. gas checked lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint at 1,000 fps from a 2" barrel. Consistent and reliable penetration coupled with expansion from a decently heavy bullet. Hard to beat combination.

YEP +1

I am hoarding the last couple of hundred rounds of Federal 125 grain NyClad I have. I have always felt this was the best snubbie load.
I am back to handloading, using the Speer 146 grain LSWC HP over Unique. Works well.

I like those Nyclads too. But I think I may have to find some of them Buffalo Bore's.

Go to their website and order some direct. That's what I do.

It's a little tougher to get them up here. One box is a hassle over the Haz mat charges. I'll have to see if I can get ahold of the rep or if someone intown has a box.

Been using Federal 38 (+P), 129gr Hydra Shock, but I may try the "Short Barrel" load.

Speer 135 gr. GoldDot Short Barrel loads.

The GoldDots are, simply, amazing.

POP

I'm a little late on this one and haven't read the rest of the thread so I may be repeating something someone else has already said.

Look real carefully at Cor-Bon Pow'R Ball +p .38 specials.
I just shot up a box today doing a comparison with two other loads. The PB load was much better based on recoil and muzzle flash. Much of what I've read about them has been favorable.

There shoud be NO haz-mat charge on loaded ammo, powder and/or primers yes. Just has to be marked ORM-D small arms ammo on the package. Again NO haz-mat charges apply.

+P 158 grain LSWCHP

Absolutely correct! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm no expert on this subject but remember recently reading an excellent article about this subject. In the article the short barreled .38's did much better with bullets lighter than 158 grains(expansion).

In my 6" barrelled 38 Special I'm shooting 187 grain hard cast bullets about as fast as I dare push them.

Hello POP - I did some 2" shooting yesterday here are my notes:

Yesterday I stopped by the local indoor range with the intension
of comparing 5 different .38 special and one .357 magnum rounds through my 340PD. Obviously my observations are subjective but are within the ball park.

I fired 5 of each type ammo. Total 30 rounds.

Winchester Silvertip 110 grain standard pressure - very pleasant recoil - muzzle flash OK.
Comparative recoil 1

CorBon 110 grain JHP +p slightly more recoil than the silvertip - muzzle flash OK.
Comparative recoil 1.2

Speer 135 grain JHP +p 2" bbl load - noticibly more recoil - still very manageable - muzzle flash OK.
Comparative recoil 1.5

Cor-Bon DPX 110 train copper HP +p twice the recoil of the Silvertip. Definitely a hot load.
Comparative recoil 2

Cor-Bon Pow'R Ball 100 grain +p super hot - lots of flash - felt like what
is - a very hot high pressure load. I wonder how close to .357 pressures
this load is. It is very, very hot.
Comparative recoil 2.5

Speer 135 grain JHP .357 Mag 2" barrel load - about the same
recoil as the Pow'R Ball .38 Special.
Comparative recoil 2.5

All the loads were manageable in the 12 ounce gun, however, if you are a little
recoil sensative the Speer 2" bbl .38 load might be the best load for you.

If you choose the heavier recoil loads I think you should shoot a box of 20 or two every month and to hand strengthening exercises. I work with a hard rubber ball when driving or watching TV.

Thanx guy!