early lightweight carry ammo

[robbt]

hello, i have two vintage light weights a 1966 vintage cobra and a S&W model 12 no numbers, I would like to buy a box or two or carry ammo, plus p is out of the question, , any recommendations,
I have been carrying either federal 125 gr HP nyclads or , western 200 gr rn
please post, many thanks,

 

[unclenunzie]

Factory wadcutters like federal gold medal match or the Winchester version, or standard pressure Hornady Critical Defense FTX 110 grain. Whatever hits to point of aim in general. Those vintage revolvers can't be replaced, I'm sure you've considered the current lightweight alternatives.

 

[Pat Riot]

Check out this site. Lucky Gunner tested a variety of self defense ammo in .38 Special and .357 Magnum in 2” and 4” barreled guns. The .38 Spl table shows mostly +P ammo but there are several good selections of standard velocity ammo. The real eye opener is the expansion measurements on some of these rounds. If you click on the images for each round you can see how the rounds expanded in gel.

.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

I saw this website after shooting a variety of these for accuracy from my J frame revolvers. The most accurate round on my guns, Hornady American Gunner, doesn’t even expand in gel from a 2” revolver. Quite an eye opener.

Hopefully you can find something that interests you in their tests.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I'm currently carrying some Ruger-branded ARX Inceptor ammo. I haven't shot anyone with it so no idea how well it works, but it's been accurate and doesn't weigh much.

 

[chaim]

My current favorite .38 ammo that isn't +p are:
110gr Hornady Critical Defense (available both +p and not so be sure of which you are getting)
Underwood 158gr LSWCHP. Again, available in both +p and not, so be sure of what you are getting.
158gr Federal Train + Protect. Essentially a non +P version of the old LSWCHP.