.38 special SD load recommendations

[dogtown tom]

hdwhit The .38 Special that I have is most likely to be used against someone invading my home so it is loaded with Glaser safety slugs.

How many local, state, federal LE agencies use or recommend Glaser Safety Slugs? NONE. It's old technology based on the myth that over penetration in an airliner would cause the plane to crack apart like in the movies (that doesn't happen).

The Safety Slugs are designed to cause large, shallow, incapacitating wounds that are unlikely to be fatal

They most certainly are not less than lethal rounds. Saying that they are "unlikely to be fatal" is silly.

so the criminal gets to face justice (and I avoid a wrongful death civil suit from the thug's family)

Wait...WHAT?

If you are facing a wrongful death civil suit the type of ammunition used will be the least of your worries........it's your wrongful actions on trial.
Not to mention that the guy you just shot can testify or even file suit for you wounding him!

and virtually no chance of the round penetrating the wall and killing a family member if I miss.

The sole benefit to such a round. Unfortunately it's also the biggest reason to NOT use Glasers......their pitiful lack of penetration means you may not be able to stop your attacker. And what happens to you or your family when the Glasers can't stop the criminal?

 

[strambo]

hdwhit,

If you haven't analyzed your home in terms of fields of fire and family member locations as well as neighbor homes, then applying mitigating factors (pre-determined shooting positions, family movement etc.) then that is the wrong answer no matter what round you are shooting.

I'm rocking an SBR AR-15 for my HD gun, but I have conducted said analysis. Besides, the AR will penetrate less through walls than standard HG ammo.
For .38, I like the Speer 135g GD, it is what my wife's gun is stoked with.

I had some .45 ACP Glasers back in college (living in an APT) before I knew better. I ditched them the moment I had a better understanding of terminal ballistics

 

[dbmjr1]

I know old timers that load HBWC's backwards in a +P load. I'd imagine it'd leave a mark. Don't think I'd carry it in the winter due to lack of penetration and shallow wounds.

I know a 'professional' who occasionally asks me to cast him some 300gr LRNFP in .45 Colt. He want's them dead soft PB. Pushes them hard, and doesn't worry about leading.

People here would criticize me for having two speedloaders with Cast 158 gr LSWC's loaded a bit hot, sitting on my night stand. My theory is that two holes are better than one. If you are worried about collateral damage, don't stand behind the guy in my hallway. I've got a brick backstop.

 

[entropy]

I use Remington Golden Sabers currently, but I have used for .38 Spl. in the past: Gold Dots (recommended) Nyclad 158 HP, (Don't make 'em anymore) 148 HBWC seated upside down (gave that up after reading Ayoob), and Factory Win. 125 HP. (Got a good deal) All would do the job.

As for Glasers, I have seen evidence photos of a shooting (ruled a suicide, but I don't think it was) contact distance with the side of the head. I would not call them less-than-lethal.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

I carry the standard FBI load away from home. In the home I load with hard cast wad cutters that I purchase from Rim Rock bullets ,loaded to 900 fps according to the manual. I haven't chrono'ed them in a 2 inch snubbie.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I still carry and use the 158SWCHP plus P. All my S&W are older models sighted for the 158 gr bullet. I like pistol to shoot where I aim. .

Glaser Safety Slugs I fired some from my 1911 and they would shoot several inches off POA. Far enough I would never use for SD Plus the lack of penetration problem . I found one use for them . When my girls were young I had them stand close and at about 10' I shot a 45ACP in to a milk jug . It exploded and we all got wet. They learned not to touch my guns from that example. They all shoot today .

 

[Sistema1927]

I carry the Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP standard pressure load in my older S&W 37 lightweight.

For the steel frame pistols the FBI load is still the best.

 

[ColeK]

I use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP standard pressure low flash load in my model 637 Air weight.
I use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP +P load in my model 10.
I also use .38 Spl. Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP +P low flash load in my model 60 SS .357 Mag w/3” barrel.

 

[golden]

REMINGTON 125 grain sjhp +P

I buy this load in the 100 round boxes and use it for both a house gun to back up my BERETTA 92 and as a range load.
When you can find it, it is inexpensive and effective. I have bought 50 boxes for lest than the price of a 20 round box of Gold-dot or 25 round box of Golden Sabres.
Recoil, muzzle blast and noise are all tolerable and in a S&W model 15, it is a pleasure to shoot. In my opinion, it recoils noticeably less than the 158 LSWHP +P load.

If I had to use it for self defense, I would be ok with it, but prefer a 9m.m. +P load.

Jim

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

We tested some of the glaser safety slugs. According to them their +P load clocked at 1600 fps. We almost got 1100 from a 4" .38 and results in ballistic gel were shameful.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I have some 125gr Gold Dots currently parked in a couple revolvers, and they seem to be pretty widely considered among, if not THE best .38's around right now. Whatever you go with, I would definitely go with some +P's. Any modern revolver can handle +P's just fine (especially in only occasional use), and the relatively weak .38 round can use the extra velocity .
The above recommendation from Kendal Black for the, "158-grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint, loaded +P....sometimes called the FBI load," is very good advice, too. This old classic,workhorse round is a fantastic performer.
There are quite few very good options these days, but also quite a few, from otherwise excellent companies, that surprisingly aren't very good HP performers.
You-tube has some very informative test videos, can;t hurt to dig around there a lttle.

 

[dfariswheel]

CZ97Shooter has the answer.

The Buffalo Bore HOT .38 Special +P 158 Lead, semi-wadcutter, hollow point is as good as it gets.

They use a special extra soft lead bullet with a gas check to prevent excessive leading and allow driving the bullet at near Magnum velocities.

Apparently due to people shooting the original hotter +P load in older or small frame guns not made for the +P, the ammo companies have down-loaded most +P ammo to what is near what older standard .38 Special non-+P was.
The Buffalo Bore load is closer to what the original +P was.
It was that original +P load that ended failures to stop with the old round nose .38 ammo, and was known to street cops as the .38 SPLAT for the sound is supposedly made when it hit.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

 

[Skunkeye]

Having read what you posted, are there different powders that have more "volume" for the appropriate charge, making it easier to notice?

IMR Trail Boss is a very "bulky" powder, and takes up a lot more case volume per grain than other powders. A double charge of Trail Boss will likely overflow a .38 Special case. The same size container that holds a pound of other powders only holds 9 ounces of Trail Boss.

 

[Mac Attack]

I carry the Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP standard pressure load in my Colts.

 

[Deanimator]

The old 158 grain lead hollow point semi-wadcutter +P load (FBI load) has an excellent reputation. Also the more modern Speer Gold Dot 135 grain load developed for the NYC is good.

I've still got a bunch of the Federal version. It's accurate and controllable.

 

[buck460XVR]

I run Montana Gold's 125gr JHPs over 4.6gr of Bullseye. Gives me about 850fps outta my 637.