Gary Roberts writes:
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We tested NUMEROUS .38 spl loads for BUG use. Almost all the JHP's either failed to consistently expand or they had too shallow penetion. About the only JHP bullet that works reliably from a 2" barrels is the Speer 135 gr +P JHP Gold Dot, however in the lightweight J-frames it is not particularly comfortable to shoot. Initial testing of the Barnes XPB bullets looks good, but we need a bit more data before we are ready to give them a full recommendation.
Since most JHP bullets fail to work in J-frames, one option is to use a full target style wadcutter. As noted by Fackler and others, although they will not expand, wadcutters are a very efficient bullet design for cutting tissue. The sharper the leading edge of the wadcutter, the better it works. With wadcutters penetration is almost always adequate; thus velocity can be dropped without loss of acceptable penetration, resulting in less recoil. Many LE agencies here have switched over to wadcutters for BUG use. The reduced recoil has lead to much higher qualification scores and since they don't hurt to shoot with target wadcutters, officers are actually practicing with their J-frames. Both Winchester and Federal 148 gr standard target wadcutters have been used by agencies here with acceptable results. At this time, the Safestop has the sharpest leading edge of any wadcutter and is a good choice.
Note that there are no problems with bullet jump using target wadcutters in the lightweight J-frames, although other lead bullet configurations have proven to be problematic. Since the flat front of target wadcutters often slow reloads, so some officers are using 5 target wadcutters in the cylinder with a speed-loader or speed-strip holding Gold Dot 135 gr JHP's, as they are much easier to rapidly re-load due to their shape.
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