Best comm'l non P+ 38 Spl

[PWC]

I know I'm opening the flood gates of opinion here, but what would be the a good; I'm not going where "best" would take this discussion, SD 38 Spl, standard, non P+ round for a snub nose revolver?

 

[halfmoonclip]

Full charge wadcutters, loaded to the same level as the old 158gr RNL load. There are commercial versions available.
Moon

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

I'm a big fan of semi wacutter-HP in 158gr - 162gr (ish) cast. Then again, the very old Hydra-shock factory loading did well too. Now if someone would bring back the Ny-clads!

 

[GRIZ22]

Factory target wadcutters. 700-750 fps in a 2" j frame

 

[defjon]

I'd do critical defense 110 grain.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Critical Defense Lite 95gr @900ishFPS isnt bad. It’s essentially duplicating what you hope the best .380ACP loads can do. I don’t like light-for-caliber loads, but it’s a good option for a snub revolver.

The best commercial standard pressure I’m aware of is what I keep in my Cobra: Buffalo Bore loaded 130gr Gold Dots.

 

[nugi]

Critical Defense 110 grain for the modern tech
140 or 150gr wadcutter for matching your snub's point of aim

 

[Merle1]

I'd vote for the old FBI load, 158 gr LSWC-HP

 

[film495]

semi-jackets soft point with a flat point. I just want one ammo to carry and practice a lot with, and I might defend against a person or a bear, and I'd rather hit a bear with a SJSP 158 grain chunk of lead, than a 95 grain hollow point. Wadcutters and regular ammo has worked for a long time, semi wadcutter hollow point, seen a lot of success, but - the ammo companies I'm sure really want you paying 3$ a round for the latest and greatest, but tried and true designs have worked for decades and decades.
.

 

[L-2]

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs

We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video

www.luckygunner.com

Here's a 4/17 test compilation from LuckyGunner, which is the best review I can find of several brands & versions of .38 Special ammo. You'll need to exclude the +P ammo if standard pressure-only is wanted.

Once a few specific ammo versions are i.d.'d, the hard part then is find the ammo for sale.

 

[NeroM]

Consider the Buffalo Bore standard pressure 150 gr wad cutter load ?
Chrony shows it running about 850 fps from my LCR, they shoot well in my gun,
pretty much to point of aim at 7-10 steps, are easy to control, punches a nice hole.
There is also a similar load from Underwood.

 

[ms6852]

I have to agree with @halfmoonclip . Can't beat a wadcutter for close up stuff. Makes nice clean holes on flesh and paper.