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Looking for the right load for my .38...

Rack Ops
I'm getting ready to take my CCW class and I'm looking for some tips on quality self-defense ammo for my S&W 642 snubbie...

Right now I'm practicing with Winchester white box ammo, but I doubt I'll be carrying it

I'm guessing +p is a good start, but should I go with a lighter bullet or a heavier one? Hollowpoint, wad-cutter, softpoint?

Yes, I know the best ammo is what I'm most accurate with, but I'd like some ideas on where to start
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • Jake_S-83
    I also have a 642 and just feed it federal hydra shoks. Rides in a $20 Bianchi suede inside waistband holster. Look into Bianchi speed strips. Fits perfectly into the change pocket on my jeans.
    You aren't carrying around a death ray so like you said I would be more concerned with placement.
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  • Cubslover
    I wouldn't recommend qualifying with +P ammunition, but would recommend carrying +P for self defense.

    You best self defense ammo would be ...

    CCI/Speer's Gold Dot 135gr +P

    Hornady's 125gr or 140gr XTP

    Federal 129gr Hydra Shok +P

    Remington Golden Saber

    Winchester Silvertip





    BTW, here's a gun test with a 642 shooting Gold Dots...

    http://www.thegunzone.com/speer135jhp38sp.html
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  • Cubslover
    I want to add this, from the FBI testing archives.

    http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs9.htm

    2-inch .38 snubs
    There seems to be no JHP bullet cartridge that is capable of providing a reasonable balance of adequate penetration and reliable expansion. A bullet that expands will not penetrate deeply enough, whereas a bullet that does not expand will probably overpenetrate.

    As a result, we feel the best cartridge for .38 snubbies is the 148 grain wadcutter target load. (MacPherson, Duncan: Bullet Penetration, Ballistic Publications, El Segundo, California, 1994. p. 247, Figure 10-2 Cylinder Bullet Penetration Depth.) The sharp-edged shoulder of the full wadcutter design provides the best penetration and wounding efficiency for this gun/cartridge combination.

    Speer offers a total metal jacket (FMJ) 148 grain wadcutter in its Lawman line of ammunition. As opposed to a lead wadcutter, the shoulder of the Speer copper-jacketed bullet is more likely to retain its sharp shoulder on impact. The downside of the Speer bullet is the less sensitive "Cleanfire primer" which may not provide reliable cartridge ignition in guns that have had trigger work, a lighter mainspring installed, or bobbed hammer.
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  • tsavo303
    good info cubs
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  • Rack Ops
    Here's a couple good articles I found about small handgun ballistics...very informative

    http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

    http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot27.htm
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  • GUNFUNCO
    My choice-Federal Hydra-shok 38+P 129 grain.

    I like everything else Cubs listed except the Winchester.

    Anything Winchester would be my LAST choice-I have seen and heard about too many hard primer misfires in handgun rounds-even one in a black talon. I have personally experienced 3 in Silvertips. I like the bullets but the primer has got to go off before the bullet can do what it is supposed to do.

    I have heard the old 38+P lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint works well also.
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  • BHAVIN
    I use the Federal Hydra-Shok 129g +P as well. I have a S&W 342 Titanium. If I could shoot lead bullets in this gun I would probably carry the Federal Nyclad 38's. This is a soft lead hollow point that is covered in blue nylon to keep from leading. They expand great and was the FBI load for quite some time. Fairly low recoil. I am not sure if you can still get it I bought my last box of 50 about 9 years ago.
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