Choice of Concealed Carry Ammo .38 special vs. .38 +P

[majspud]

Looking at ammo choices for my Colt Detective and the S/W M66....some surprises....

Winchester Silver Tip .38 special 945fps 218ft/lbs 110gr JHP
Winchester Silver Tip .38 special +P 945 248 125gr SJHP
Winchester Supreme .38 special +P 950 260 130gr JHP
Remington .38 special 950 221 110gr SJHP
Remington .38 special +P 945 248 125gr SJHP
Hornady .38 900 225 110gr JHP
Hornady .38 +P 1090 290 110gr JHP HXP
Hornady Custom .38 +P 800 215 158gr JHP HXP
Liberty .38 1500 250 50gr aluminum HP fragmenting
Federal .38 1000 244 110gr JHP Hydro shock
Federal .38 +P 950 246 129gr JHP Hydro shock

Not sure what to use now...not a huge advantage carrying the M66 .357 unless I use magnum loads...currently use Winchester Silver Tips in the Detective, and the Remington +P in the M66...

Ballistics research...

Loads for Short-Barrel Handguns

t

 

[Tim_McD]

Federal HST Micro 38 Spl 130 Grain +P Jacketed Hollow Point....current flavor of the month.....until the next big thing is released

 

[majspud]

890fps, 229ft/lbs

t

 

[mac1911]

Classic gun needs classic ammo , as intended 357 158gn slug.
It's been a while since I bought any 38 or 357 "carry ammo" but the federal hydra shock was decent.

 

[45collector]

Any of that stuff will do it's job if you do yours T.

 

[Palladin]

my 442 is prelock, pre +P, so I carry these

Hornady .38 900 225 110gr JHP

 

[Gidge]

I use hollow point .38 -- not too particular about the brand or how much gunpowder is in the load, as the snubby format is for "up close and personal social work" should the need arise.

 

[majspud]

Now I'm confused.

Took my main carry piece ('37 Colt Detective) out to practice with Fiocchi .38 special 158gr LRNs (30). Now these were snappier than the Federals, but I put that down to the small frame/short barrel combo of the Detective. But the specs on the Fiocchi were 910fps & 295 ft/lbs and the Federal at 770/208.

Say What?

So Fiocchi 'normal' .38 special is 910/295 (158 LRN), and Remington .38 special +P is 945/248 (125 JHP)...that would seem that the Remington +P is OK for the Detective...

That would make Fiocchi 158s a hefty slug for carry ammo.

Distance was 49 paces or 51.6 feet. Moved the sights around a bit to find a compensation point for the greater distance. Generally right is my M.O. with a handgun as the distance increases.

t

 

[AverageJoe]

Buffalo Bore 150gr wadcutter. Why worry about expansion from a snubby?

 

[majspud]

I'm worried about pressures...confused that some special loads are stronger than some +P loads.

t

 

[majspud]

Here's the specs on Buffalo Bore 158s:

t

 

[AverageJoe]

Here's the specs on Buffalo Bore 158s:

t

View attachment 231644

I shoot both the 150gr wadcutter and the 158gr SWC from the SW642, love em both. Prefer the wadcutter because not concerned about the minimal expansion.

 

[majspud]

Buffalo Bore 150gr wadcutter specs

t