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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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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
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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In a 2" airweight J frame?
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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They have stuff that is not +P Midway has it on sale
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2011
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Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
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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.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL. The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world. The website is up and running!www.lostriverammocompany.com
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
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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.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 73,096 |
I agree with Mackay_Sagebrush, that or the 125 gr FNEB - Remington UMC Leadless.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,812
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,812 |
Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300 No way in hell would I trust a 90 grain to penetrate deeply enough.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,605 |
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.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL. The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world. The website is up and running!www.lostriverammocompany.com
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,554 |
I like the Federal Hydrashok 129 grain JHP for a factory load.
Sam......
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,326 |
But reading online ammo tests of that load shows it performing very well Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300 No way in hell would I trust a 90 grain to penetrate deeply enough.
Rabid Creedmoorians ring my doorbell ... as I open it a crack they speak : "Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior , 6.5Creed?"
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,266 |
The foundation for old age is good memories.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,812 |
But reading online ammo tests of that load shows it performing very well Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300 No way in hell would I trust a 90 grain to penetrate deeply enough. 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.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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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.
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,326 |
But reading online ammo tests of that load shows it performing very well Assuming we're talking .38 Special, Hornady makes one called Critical Defense Lite. 90gr FTX 1200fps, stock#90300 No way in hell would I trust a 90 grain to penetrate deeply enough. 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. https://youtu.be/98FYy29WGlAShort of shooting someone with it for science it's ALL just talking theory .... Multiple reviews show it performing better than you'd expect
Rabid Creedmoorians ring my doorbell ... as I open it a crack they speak : "Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior , 6.5Creed?"
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,605
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,605 |
This guy puts out no nonsense articulate information. .38 wadcutters in J Frames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPXDwi7O0jgBallistic Gel Test Results: .38 Spl & .357 Mag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJmqcE7ZHhYLink 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.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL. The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world. The website is up and running!www.lostriverammocompany.com
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
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.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243 |
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.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,029
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,029 |
One thing,the135gr Speer Gold Dotare designed for snubbies . Less muzzle flash
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
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One thing,the135gr Speer Gold Dotare designed for snubbies . Less muzzle flash
So are the Buffalo Bore....read WoodStalkers link. Lot's of good choices these days but eventually you have to make a decision and I went with Buffalo Bore.... Hope I never have to find out if it was the right one.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,021
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,021 |
One thing,the135gr Speer Gold Dotare designed for snubbies . Less muzzle flash
So are the Buffalo Bore....read WoodStalkers link. Lot's of good choices these days but eventually you have to make a decision and I went with Buffalo Bore.... Hope I never have to find out if it was the right one. Amen brother, Amen.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,609
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,609 |
Been carrying the Buffalo Bore hardcast full wadcutter standard velocity in my old M38 Airweight Bodyguard for years now. The reload is the soft 158 gr. SWC-HP standard velocity from Buffalo Bore.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 18,243 |
Been carrying the Buffalo Bore hardcast full wadcutter standard velocity in my old M38 Airweight Bodyguard for years now. The reload is the soft 158 gr. SWC-HP standard velocity from Buffalo Bore. If it's good enough for you GC it's dam sure good enough for me.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,609 |
LOL... Bet it'll handle any bobcat you or I will trap.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
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HaHa.....I use 22 shorts.... The wad cutters are for a 637 airweight that lives in my truck console.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 43,488
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 43,488 |
One thing,the135gr Speer Gold Dotare designed for snubbies . Less muzzle flash
So are the Buffalo Bore....read WoodStalkers link. Lot's of good choices these days but eventually you have to make a decision and I went with Buffalo Bore.... Hope I never have to find out if it was the right one. Amen brother, Amen. Truth.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18,243 |
The Buffalo Bore wad cutters showed up yesterday so I ran a few through my little airweight today. Even though they claim they're milder they're still pretty snappy....not bad though and they're definitely quieter. They're not as accurate in the snubbie as the 158gr SWC's I shoot in my other 38 but I shot a couple of 3" groups at 7 yrds which is as good as I can shoot a handgun. (5 shot groups cause that's all it holds) I think I'll get a speed strip, fill it with some of the TSX HP's I have on hand and call it good.
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Posts: 5,238
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,238 |
Most all of my cop buddies that carry Airweight .38's as their BUG or off-duty gun keep them stoked with Speer Gold Dot 135's. I've shot stout 158's in my 642 and shot follow up is almost completely unmanageable.
Last edited by Triggernosis; 08/19/17.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,698 |
Based on a sample of 1 Remington Golden Sabre 125 grain +p Does a nice job on a big feral cat in the loft. Cleanup crew asked if I used an elephant rife?
I like to do my hunting BEFORE I pull the trigger! There is only one kind of dead, but there are many different kinds of wounded.
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