Best 38 spl Ammo for Snub Nose

[Leveraction44]

Anyone have an opinion about the best 38 snub nose ammo for self defense? I imagine this day and age that some manufactures have started manufacturing ammo that is optimized for a very short barrel. My guess is that it is a +P of some flavor. Any ideas?

 

[cmshoot]

I like the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135grn +P. That’s what I carry in my S&W 442.

 

[Leveraction44]

I like the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135grn +P. That’s what I carry in my S&W 442.

What grain slug do you shoot?

 

[palmettomoon]

Not really a recommendation but I carry Hornady Critical Defense in my S&W Model 12.
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-110-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/

 

[BLIP]

How about this fine Argentinian sportarms...
Nothing like quality plastic cam to insure smooth operation

no ammo needed you just throw it like a boomerang

 

[PA4476]

I have started carrying The Federal 130 gr HST +P's in mine. I've read good things and I got really good expansion shooting through a stack of newspaper (I know, not a real good test matter)
The one thing I can say though, ya can't do a fast reload with them in a speed loader or bullet strip due to the flat end on them.
See the bottom pic, I pulled the bullet out of one just to see what it looked like, then reloaded it and shot it and a few more.
I'm shooting them out of a S&W 442

 

[CAMSDADDY]

I have started carrying The Federal 130 gr HST +P's in mine. I've read good things and I got really good expansion shooting through a stack of newspaper (I know, not a real good test matter)
The one thing I can say though, ya can't do a fast reload with them in a speed loader or bullet strip due to the flat end on them.
See the bottom pic, I pulled the bullet out of one just to see what it looked like, then reloaded it and shot it and a few more.
I'm shooting them out of a S&W 442

View attachment 2074356 View attachment 2074357 View attachment 2074358 View attachment 2074359

That's interesting. I have considered trying this load. I would assume expansion would be optimized for a snub. I'm surprised it didn't expand. I am currently carrying 148 wadcutters in my 642. I figure it's more weight and a sharper edge. If the round doesn't expand I don't see the benefit of the lighter round with more recoil of the +p.

 

[PA4476]

I have started carrying The Federal 130 gr HST +P's in mine. I've read good things and I got really good expansion shooting through a stack of newspaper (I know, not a real good test matter)
The one thing I can say though, ya can't do a fast reload with them in a speed loader or bullet strip due to the flat end on them.
See the bottom pic, I pulled the bullet out of one just to see what it looked like, then reloaded it and shot it and a few more.
I'm shooting them out of a S&W 442

That's interesting. I have considered trying this load. I would assume expansion would be optimized for a snub. I'm surprised it didn't expand. I am currently carrying 148 wadcutters in my 642. I figure it's more weight and a sharper edge. If the round doesn't expand I don't see the benefit of the lighter round with more recoil of the +p.

The one pictured was PULLED from the case NOT fired. I didn't take a pic of the fired one, but it DID expand, very well.

 

[CAMSDADDY]

The one pictured was PULLED from the case NOT fired. I didn't take a pic of the fired one, but it DID expand, very well.

Well that throws my theory for a loop. I guess if I had read rather than skimmed in a hurry I would have read how awesome it is.

 

[cmshoot]

What grain slug do you shoot?

That load is a 135grn. Specifically designed to be shot from 2” revolvers.