What’s the Best .38 Special Ammo for Self-Defense?

Gun & Shooting
1

I’m looking for advice on the best .38 Special ammo for self-defense and possibly outdoor shooting scenarios. With so many options available, it’s a bit overwhelming to navigate through all the choices out there. I want to know what has worked well for others in terms of performance and reliability.

Key Considerations

When choosing the right .38 Special ammunition, here are some factors I’d like to consider:

  • Stopping Power: What types of loads have proven effective in real-life defensive situations? Is there a consensus on what weight or type (like hollow points) performs best?
  • Recoil Management: For those who have more experience, how manageable is the recoil with different brands or types of ammo? I’d prefer something that allows for quick follow-up shots.
  • Accuracy: Is there a specific brand that tends to group better at various distances? I want to make sure I can hit my target reliably.
  • Price and Availability: Some round types seem to be on the pricier side. Are there good recommendations that won’t break the bank?

Popular Brands and Loads

I’ve been hearing a lot about certain brands like Speer Gold Dot and Hornady Critical Defense. Are these worth considering? What about typical ranges for target shooting?

  • Products to Look At:
    • Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P
    • Federal .38 Special +P Hydra-Shok
    • Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain

Personal Experience

If anyone has experience with any of these or other brands/load types, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, if you’ve had success with a specific type of range ammo, please share!

The goal is to gather enough raw data to make an informed decision before the next trip to the range or for a home defense situation. Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’ve been using jacketed hollow points (JHP) for self-defense in my .38 Special. They expand well upon impact and offer great stopping power. Definitely my top recommendation!

3

That’s good to know! What brand do you prefer for JHP? I’ve heard Hornady makes some solid rounds.

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4

I second the Hornady Critical Defense line. In my experience, they feed smoothly and are consistent in performance.

5

I’ve always thought lead round nose was best for target shooting. They’re affordable, but I’m not sure how effective they are for self-defense; what do you all think?

6

While they are great for practice, lead rounds lack expansion and stopping power compared to JHPs. For self-defense, I’d stick with something that expands.

7

I’ve had good results with wadcutters for target practice, but they wouldn’t be my first choice for defense. They just punch clean holes and don’t expand.

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8

Exactly! If you plan to use .38 Special for self-defense, I agree that JHP is likely the best option.

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9

Can we talk about penetration? I know a lot of defensive rounds are designed to expand, but how deep should they really go to be effective?

10

Good point, Charles! I’ve read that 12-18 inches of penetration is the sweet spot for self-defense rounds in .38 Special.

11

That sounds like a good range! I’ve also heard some say that you need to consider the background too when selecting ammo.

12

For sure! You wouldn’t want to hit an innocent bystander. Plus, range conditions can affect how rounds perform too.

13

Honestly, the best ammo is the one you train with regularly. Find what works for you, and stick with it. You cannot go wrong with practice!

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14

I’m a big fan of Federal HST for self-defense. I’ve found it to be extremely reliable and accurate in my revolver. Plus, it expands well on impact.

15

That’s great to hear! I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Remington Golden Saber. Has anyone else had experience with that? Does it perform as well as Federal?

16

Remington Golden Saber has been solid for me. It has good penetration and expansion. I prefer it over Winchester’s PDX1, which I found a bit too inconsistent sometimes.

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17

Interesting! What about pricing? I’ve noticed some brands can really spike in price with similar performance.

18

I’ve generally found that Federal is a bit pricier, usually around $20 per box, while both Remington and Winchester are more budget-friendly. It’s a balancing act between price and reliability.

19

I think the effectiveness of .38 Special self-defense ammo can really come down to what your gun likes. Testing a few brands is key before settling on one!

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20

True! Have you found any specific brands that perform poorly in your experience?