bh153dc

I inherited an older Model 12 S&W, 38 spl recently. But I can't use +P loads in it due to it's aluminum frame. Can anyone recomend a good non +P SD HP round to use in it? Everywhere I have looked only offer +P loads for HP's and FMJ. Thanks

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"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman"
Thomas Paine " The Crisis "

OrlandoDriver

i have federal 110gr non +p fires just fine its the wifes gun low recoil

Try some of the gun shows coming through your area for defensive rounds but for range i use wwwb 130gr works good enough for me

sgtD

Like OrlandoDriver, if I had to choose a non +p, I would choose the Federal 110gr. hydra-shock.

Based only on what I have read,(which is quite a bit) the test results show that velocity is sufficient for expansion in most cases, and the tradeoff is that to get the velocity the round is lighter and thus penetrates less. Probably not a big factor unless you are dealing with a side shot that has to pass through an arm to get to the body cavity and organs.

Or, perhaps one of these standard pressure offerings from BuffaloBore:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunitio...htm#standard38

A second thought: Is it a 2" or 4" Barrel? That might make a difference in my choice. There may be heavier bullets that will gain enough velocity to reliably expand in a 4" barrel. For the two inch barrel, one of the above would be my choice.

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When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.

Superhouse 15

There are only a few standard .38 loads available for defense use. The Hydra Shok, the Winchester 110gr Silvertip, the 125gr Remington JHP, and the Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP. There are also 2 standard loads from Magsafe and Glaser. Of them all the Hydra Shok is the most common and available. The Buffalo bore is special order only and I personally have no experience with it. The Remington and Winchester are backordered every time I try to get some, and the frangibles are pretty expensive for a special order. I personally prefer an expanding bullet, some do not and are happy carrying a 148gr wadcutter or a 158ge Semi-wadcutter, just not for me.

sheepdog

Doesn't Speer put out a Gold Dot 135 grain that is tailored for the normal pressure guns? If I ever run out of my Nyclads, I thought I'd try that.

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What Would Gumby Do?

Cuda66

I'd be looking at the 158 SWC. Expansion is going to be iffy in most standard velocity .38 HP rounds anyway, so I'd take the weight for penetration.

That, and it's probably the load the sights are regulated for.

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One man's theology is another man's belly laugh. --RAH

B52

Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP

wmhawth

If I were going to use a standard pressure 38spl round the BB 158gr LSWCHP would be my choice too.

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William

bh153dc

Thanks to all for the input and it is a 2" barrel.

__________________
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman"
Thomas Paine " The Crisis "

Captain Crunch

I'll add another plug for the Buffalo Bore fodder.

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