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Posted: 8/13/2022 8:32:10 PM EDT
[#1]
Your Gold Dot is fine. Or Winchester Silvertips.
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Posted: 8/13/2022 8:38:36 PM EDT
[#2]
You already have the best round.
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Posted: 8/13/2022 8:44:52 PM EDT
[#3]
If I recall correctly, that load was intended for short barrel guns. I'd carry that.
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Posted: 8/13/2022 9:02:01 PM EDT
[#4]
Winchester PDX1 130gr +P. I could not find the Gold Dot and the PDX1 shoots very well in my 442 and I am getting good expansion in my testing.
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Posted: 8/13/2022 9:28:23 PM EDT
[#5]
 Attached FileThis, too:  Attached FileIn this:  Attached FileAnd this, respectively:  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 8/13/2022 9:37:08 PM EDT
[#6]
I carry mine empty, I just pistol whip folks
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Posted: 8/13/2022 9:41:00 PM EDT
[#7]
I have not seen hardly any factory .38 ammo in any of the stores here. Plenty of 9 mm but no .38
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Posted: 8/13/2022 9:45:21 PM EDT
[#8]
HSTs, I think they are 150’s can’t remember.
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Posted: 8/13/2022 10:51:28 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: HSTs, I think they are 150’s can’t remember. CTPT: specifically designed for short barrels, they’re the best performing round for the 38…but they’re a) hard to find and b) ex-pen-sive. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 1:40:57 AM EDT
[#10]
I use Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP
In a 2" and 3" They're...warm. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 5:26:54 AM EDT
[#11]
The 135gr GD if you can find them.
https://general-cartridge.com/2022/06/15/speer-38-spl-135gr-gold-dot-p-in-vyse-ballistics-gel/ |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 8:30:00 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: CTPT: specifically designed for short barrels, they’re the best performing round for the 38…but they’re a) hard to find and b) ex-pen-sive. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: HSTs, I think they are 150’s can’t remember. CTPT: specifically designed for short barrels, they’re the best performing round for the 38…but they’re a) hard to find and b) ex-pen-sive. Gold dots, rangers, and wadcutters all performed better than those Now my 147 grain HSTs at 930fps are another story.  Attached File |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 10:45:26 AM EDT
[#13]
Hard to find 38 ammo
of any flavor |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 11:53:43 AM EDT
[#14]
Federal HST micro 130 grain- P38hst1s
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Posted: 8/14/2022 1:54:56 PM EDT
[#15]
Attended a seminar on revolver use last year, and it focused a lot on snub guns and we tested a fair amount of ammo in ballistics gel
With the 2” barrel guns, the consensus based on testing and the opinions of guys carrying revolvers for decades was: 148 grain target wadcutter Some might laugh, but it had the best penetration of any 38 load tested ( not too deep, not too shallow) plus cuts a full caliber hole. Many of the hollow points even those that were designed for short barrels, didn’t generate enough velocity to expand and if they did penetration was inadequate. Other bullet designs like round nose and even some hollow points make a fairly small wound channel, and based on autopsy forensics tend to push things out of the way as they penetrate, while the sharp shoulder wadcutter cuts things. Usually easy to find , fairly low cost Low recoil and in most cases shoots to point of aim in fixed sight guns |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 2:39:08 PM EDT
[#16]
I appreciate the replies. I do have several boxes of the short barrel GD HP and I feel fine with that. I do plan on adding several boxes of the HSTs to my collection whenever they are available.
I do however like the idea of a good wadcutter. Who makes the softest wadcutters? |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 3:03:32 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I appreciate the replies. I do have several boxes of the short barrel GD HP and I feel fine with that. I do plan on adding several boxes of the HSTs to my collection whenever they are available. I do however like the idea of a good wadcutter. Who makes the softest wadcutters? In my experience, the softest full wadcutter is the Fiocchi 148gr.  Attached File |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 3:41:13 PM EDT
[#18]
You guys will probably laugh, but in my airweights I carry the pink-tipped Hornady Critical Defense lite. Faster follow up shots and less pain in the joints. It actually makes the gun pretty fun to shoot instead of a chore.
In heavier revolvers (steel) I use the Speer Gold Dot 135gr short barrel load as it is very consistent. If the revolver can handle .357 Magnum I use that version of the Gold Dot 135gr which is an excellent balance of power, low flash, and control. The only problem is finding any in stock... the .357 135 grain gold dot is super hard to find. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 4:13:00 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You guys will probably laugh, but in my airweights I carry the pink-tipped Hornady Critical Defense lite. Faster follow up shots and less pain in the joints. It actually makes the gun pretty fun to shoot instead of a chore. In heavier revolvers (steel) I use the Speer Gold Dot 135gr short barrel load as it is very consistent. If the revolver can handle .357 Magnum I use that version of the Gold Dot 135gr which is an excellent balance of power, low flash, and control. The only problem is finding any in stock... the .357 135 grain gold dot is super hard to find. I’m not laughing. One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older is that +p and magnum loads don’t really provide much over standard and even reduced loads when it comes to short barrels. I can do without the massive flash, recoil, and percussion honestly. However I like heavier slugs and I’m not a fan of lite bullets. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 4:54:46 PM EDT
[#20]
My Dad, a reloading nut, left me a substantial quantity of what he called the "CIA Load" for his Detective Special (which I wouldn't run +P's through) and my 637-- don't know the recipe exactly, believe it to be a 148-grain target wadcutter seated base up over a powder charge that gives it about 900 fps. As accurate as you could hope for in the short tubes, makes a hell of a mess on the landing, and there are enough to last my kids' time. Also left me 10k 200-grain target .45 softballs, I hit a 12 gauge hull at 40 yds with them once in my Gold Cup. Thanks, Dad.
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Posted: 8/14/2022 5:02:36 PM EDT
[#21]
Everything you need to know about selecting ammo for .38 Special (except WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT IN STOCK during these shitshow times)
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/#38spl I have sufficient supply of this to last me for as long as I'll ever need a .38 https://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-p-130-gr-jhp-winchester-ranger-50-rounds#geltest  Attached FileWhat more could you want in a .38?  Attached File |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 5:24:57 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Everything you need to know about selecting ammo for .38 Special (except WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT IN STOCK during these shitshow times) https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/#38spl I have sufficient supply of this to last me for as long as I'll ever need a .38 https://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-p-130-gr-jhp-winchester-ranger-50-rounds#geltest https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/105614/Untitled_jpg-2489177.JPG What more could you want in a .38? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/105614/198da1ad8a8664a9a0a175da8839f403_jpg-2489179.JPG Ok I’m definitely going to add these to the list. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 5:25:46 PM EDT
[#23]
Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP
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Posted: 8/14/2022 6:19:43 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Everything you need to know about selecting ammo for .38 Special (except WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT IN STOCK during these shitshow times) https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/#38spl I have sufficient supply of this to last me for as long as I'll ever need a .38 https://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-p-130-gr-jhp-winchester-ranger-50-rounds#geltest https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/105614/Untitled_jpg-2489177.JPG What more could you want in a .38? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/105614/198da1ad8a8664a9a0a175da8839f403_jpg-2489179.JPG Fortunately I've seen organic gel testing with the Winchester ranger loads and my wife's 2" m15 is loaded with them as it performs OK from 2" barrels but doesn't always expand. Luckygunners synthetic gel tests is only good for seeing velocity from different guns. |
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Posted: 8/14/2022 8:35:04 PM EDT
[#25]
Homegrown 140 grain XTP's around here.
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Posted: 8/14/2022 10:37:24 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP My version of the Buffalo Bore load-  ~1000 fps out of a 4" barrel, so probably 850-900 out of a 2". |
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Posted: 8/15/2022 8:11:53 PM EDT
[#27]
I guess it really comes down to the right penetration. Yes I want expansion but if it can’t penetrate it isn’t optimal. And I don’t want a super hot load either. I used to like the hot stuff when I was younger but really not a huge fan of it anymore. I’m going to slowly acquire some of these loads as I see them come available.
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Posted: 8/17/2022 8:21:10 PM EDT
[#28]
Gold Dot 135gr +p
What my 442 gets. |
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Posted: 8/30/2022 8:08:24 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Winchester PDX1 130gr +P. I could not find the Gold Dot and the PDX1 shoots very well in my 442 and I am getting good expansion in my testing. |
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Posted: 8/30/2022 8:11:53 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You already have the best round. Yep. |
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Posted: 8/31/2022 8:07:06 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryTell me about the front sight on your S&W! |
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Posted: 8/31/2022 9:07:17 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Tell me about the front sight on your S&W! Quote HistoryQuoted: Tell me about the front sight on your S&W! Had some work done by Cylinder & Slide. |
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Posted: 8/31/2022 9:50:36 PM EDT
[#33]
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Posted: 8/31/2022 10:04:17 PM EDT
[#34]
124 grn 9x19mm.
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Posted: 8/31/2022 10:27:20 PM EDT
[#35]
Federal HST for the win
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Posted: 8/31/2022 11:52:44 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You already have the best round. Gold dot +p+. |
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Posted: 9/19/2022 10:11:12 AM EDT
[#37]
I've been carrying my S&W 642 with my wadcutter load for past 20+ years.
145gr Double ended WC with enough Winchester 231 to get about 770 fps from my 1 7/8" J frame. It's relatively mildly load and is very accurate. |
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Posted: 9/25/2022 12:28:50 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I use Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP In a 2" and 3" They're...warm. This when i had one |
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Posted: 9/25/2022 12:43:21 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This when i had one I chronoed this load at 1160 out of a 3" S&W fwiw |
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Posted: 11/7/2022 4:52:34 PM EDT
[#40]
I still have Hornady CD 110gr +P in my 642.
A recent Paul Harrell Test confirmed that this is what i am going to stick with. Compared to 9mm all .38 kinda suck, if i was reloading i would pull some HST out of my 9s..... |
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Posted: 11/11/2022 10:06:00 PM EDT
[#41]
Relatively soft cast hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards.
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Posted: 11/11/2022 11:08:14 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Relatively soft cast hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards. This will sure throw forensics for a loop. 
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Posted: 11/12/2022 12:50:17 AM EDT
[#43]
Quoted: Haven't carried a 38 for some years but recently bought a new one. Last that I carried was Gold Dot 135gr +p. I still have several boxes. These days im not looking for anything that breaths fire or is super hot. Just something with reliable penetration and performance out of a less then 2" barrel. Your +P 135 gr GDHP is about as good as .38 special gets. It’s an excellent load so, . . . I’d say your GTG. |
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Posted: 11/16/2022 8:19:50 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Relatively soft cast hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards. This was what the first federal hydra shock looks like with the addition of a central post. Problem is lack of penetration when loaded backwards. This was an old school trick that proved a failure. Again the rule out of a snub is: If it penetrates it won’t expand If it expands it won’t penetrate |
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Posted: 11/16/2022 8:26:34 PM EDT
[#45]
And of the two, penetration is king
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Posted: 11/16/2022 8:33:29 PM EDT
[#46]
148 grain lead hollow base full wadcutters flipped around.
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Posted: 11/16/2022 8:37:33 PM EDT
[#47]
Remington 158gr LSWCHP, also known as the "FBI load"
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Posted: 11/16/2022 8:45:09 PM EDT
[#48]
I still carry 38 special Nyclad in my S&W snubbie.
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Posted: 11/17/2022 9:38:28 PM EDT
[#49]
Gold Dot 135 +P not tested but a number of other loads are listed:
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/testing-the-38-special-cartridge/ |
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Posted: 11/17/2022 9:53:30 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Gold Dot 135 +P not tested but a number of other loads are listed: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/testing-the-38-special-cartridge/ Everything but Remington + P is terrible out of the LCR. 
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