Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Self defense ammo???

What store bought self defense ammo would ya'll recommend for a 38 S&W snubbie.

I'm thinking the lighter weight 125's might keep the recoil down but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks
Charlie

Buffalo Bore 158 SWC

In a 2" airweight J frame?

They have stuff that is not +P
Midway has it on sale

Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300

Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +P JHP for factory stuff if you are buying new.

Quite often I run full Wadcutters for the primary load, since most of the time expansion with 2" guns is iffy, and wadcutters have a pretty decent track record.

Thanks MS.....I respect your opinion.

158gr wadcutters?
That would sure make things easy because that's what I'm stocked up on for my model 10.

I agree with Mackay_Sagebrush, that or the 125 gr FNEB - Remington UMC Leadless.

Wadcutters are nice, so long as you have no intention of reloading



https://underwoodammo.com/shop/38-special-158-grain-lead-semi-wadcutter-hollow-point-gas-check/

No way in hell would I trust a 90 grain to penetrate deeply enough.

Yep,

I don't run the full wadcutters for the reload. That could be timed with a sundial.......



Just the initial load, Then JHPs or SWCs on the speed strips.

I like the Federal Hydrashok 129 grain JHP for a factory load.

But reading online ammo tests of that load shows it performing very well

I trust my life to these. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=111

Would not be the first time that claims don't equal results. The Critical Defense Ammo's is not a deep penetrating bullet even in the heavier weights. The Critical Duty line of Ammo expands and penetrates very well.

Interesting and It's in line with Mackay's recommendation.
That just might be the ticket....thanks.

I doubt that I can find any locally but I'll look the next time I'm in town.

https://youtu.be/98FYy29WGlA

Short of shooting someone with it for science it's ALL just talking theory ....

Multiple reviews show it performing better than you'd expect

This guy puts out no nonsense articulate information.

.38 wadcutters in J Frames

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPXDwi7O0jg


Ballistic Gel Test Results: .38 Spl & .357 Mag:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJmqcE7ZHhY


Link to .38 special gel test lab results. Note how very consistent the full wadcutters are for penetration are. Low recoil and very consistent penetration in a factory round. Not bad for your primary load.

My wife and I used full wadcutters in our 38's for the longest time.

Until I ran out of bullets.

Then I started casting the 140gr SWC because it was easier to load for her and any guests we have coming over to shoot.

Notwithstanding the discussions about using reloaded ammo for SD, I have these loads in my M38 and her M36, and in the speed strips & loaders we have.

The videos provided by MS stress recoil and shot placement, and for the wife and I, the loads I have running are the easiest for both of us to put on target, so that's what I run.

The videos have SWC in HP's, so I don't know what my 140's would test to by comparison, but using backyard ballistics, I don't feel they are deficient for penetration.

Thanks for the links MS.

I couldn't find any wad cutters in town (no surprise) but Midway has the 150gr Buffalo Bore WC that WoodsStalker linked on sale so I ordered a couple of boxes this morning.

Again....thanks for all the info guys.