Best defensive load for the .38 Special?

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I think the best defensive ammo is whatever you shoot the best. I would prefer to put 5 or 6 wadcutters into the center of mass of a bad guy than a miss with +P+ ammo. If there is anyting I have learned from reading THR is its all about practice and shot placement.

I would check out http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/index.html . Mr. Camp reviews several popular .38 loads.
 
I have settled on the Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 grain +P for my .38 snubbies. Very accurate with minimal muzzle flash.
 
Thanks for your replies. Also, I forgot to mention, the .38 special I am considering would have a 4 inch barrel.
 
In that case, the classic load is the "FBI Load", 158gr LSWCHP+P. A well proven, accurate load that does well out of 4" and longer barrels.
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Thank you for your reply, but I have a question for you: what you think this load's performance would be like compared to either the 9mm, the .40 caliber or the .45 caliber? A hard question to answer, I know, but one figured I would ask.
 
In that case, the classic load is the "FBI Load", 158gr LSWCHP+P. A well proven, accurate load that does well out of 4" and longer barrels.
Click to expand...
+1. I have it in all of my .38/.357 revolvers when they're used for self-defense. I've found that it shoots quite well out of my 2" Chief's Special at 50'. I was very surprised by the accuracy.
 
The "FBI Load" is all I shoot in my .38 revolvers. In a 4" gun the recoil is minimal, and it shoots to POA in my fixed-sighted revolvers.

I use Federal's loading of this round as well as Georgia Arms', which they sell at an attractive price.
 
The 158 +P lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint is still a favorite all around .38 Special load for me too.
Federal has that 135 grain hollowpoint load set up for shooting in 2" revolvers and it is very promising too.
 
In that case, the classic load is the "FBI Load", 158gr LSWCHP+P. A well proven, accurate load that does well out of 4" and longer barrels.
Click to expand...

Get the REMINGTON version!

my $0.02
 
The LSWCHP is a proven performer in real life. The design is somewhat primitive, but it has excellent expansion at even low FPS.
 
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