.38 snubby ammo?

[seb5]

I recently broke my rule about only owning .22, 9mm, and .45ACP handguns and went back to my youth by purchasing an Airweight Centennial similar to what I carried as a back up in the 1990's. Anyway I'm way out of touch for ammuntion choices. As it weights like 12 ounces I'll stick with .38 or .38+P. What is a good round for a sub 2" gun? I hated snubby airweight .357's and see no reason to revisit them.

[Krazykarl]

https://www.sgammo.com/product/38-sp...n-htp-ammo-rtp

For carry. I wanted a hard cast lead bullet that will deform and expand at the lower velocity of 38 special.


My own handload of unique and 158 gr plated bullet for practice. I try to stay with the 158 gr bullets as I assume the sights are regulated for 158gr weight. I shot mine today (SW 642) at 25 yards. Softball sized groups. Group was a little high and right. Probably not burying the front sight enough.

My recipe is:

Mixed headstamp
Cci 500
5.0 Unique
158 plated extreme bullets
1.428"

[gunnerblue]

Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel which is specifically designed for these guns. Recoil is mild in my 442.

[JiminAZ]

I have found with the lightweight j-frames I have to stick with lighter bullets. The heavies hit high.

Try some loads, I'd bet the 158's hit high. I use federal 124's IIRC.

[gaijin]

Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel which is specifically designed for these guns. Recoil is mild in my 442.

Carry this too in snubby revos.

[titsonritz]

Carry this too in snubby revos.

Same here.

[T2C]

Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel which is specifically designed for these guns. Recoil is mild in my 442.

This is what I carry in my BG38. I attended an event where ATK Corporation shot this load into gelation using my Model 337 and it expanded well.

Bare Gelatin – 12” penetration and projectile expanded to .574” diameter with no loss of mass.
5 Layers of Denim – 14” penetration and projectile expanded to .549”diameter with no loss of mass.

I carried Winchester +P 158g LHP for years thinking it would be a good J Frame load. It did not expand when fired into gelatin, provided by ATK, using my Model 337. I think a 1-7/8" barrel is not long enough to produce velocities necessary for expansion with this projectile.

Here is chronograph and accuracy testing I conducted with the Speer Gold Dot +P 135g JHP.

July 10, 2009

Temperature - 70 degrees
Humidity - 94 %
Visibility - cloudy with intermittent drizzle and low light
Chronograph - Competition Electronics
Pistol - S&W 337 with 1 7/8" barrel
Speer Gold Dot +P 135g (#53921)
Lot # C01Q34

Chronograph was placed 10 feet from muzzle.

High Velocity - 862 fps
Low Velocity - 809 fps
Average Velocity - 832 fps
Extreme Spread - 53 fps
Standard Deviation - 22 fps

I fired 5 rounds off hand with no support at 25 yards and I was able to shoot a 3 1/2" group. I fired a second 5 shot group at 25 yards, which also measured 3-1/2".

I also shot Winchester +P 158g LHP for comparison and the Speer +P 135g GDHP had less perceived recoil.

The Speer cartridge is my go to round for carry in J Frames.

[Bruce in WV]

There is an interesting group of reputable handgunners that shoot solid base full load wadcutters as defensive loads. You can read the original article by C.E. Harris, and wade through the arguments and comments on the pistol forum and cast bullets forum: as you might expect, it is a lively discussion! Recommended for serious students of snubby revolver shooting and reloading in 38 special and 357 magnum calibers.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....arge-Wadcutter

https://www.grantcunningham.com/2011...rge-wadcutter/

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...dations-please

For a more general YouTube discussion between very credible revolver SME's:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov3H-_WQwAI

...and, the related thread: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....t=snub+podcast

[T2C]

I am only personally aware of one shooting where a person was shot with 148g HBWC. The Centerville Police Chief's wife took exception to his having a girlfriend, she grabbed a 4" S&W revolver from the nightstand and shot the Chief in the chest six times.
They were standing 10 feet apart when she shot him. None of the projectiles expanded.

[MStarmer]

Here's a good video plus I like the charts from Lucky Gunner as well. Unfortunately right now you kind of have to settle for what you can get as well. https://youtu.be/P3VYlcjH8YI