.38 Special standard pressure defensive ammo

[wamj2008]

Hi everyone, I have an older model Colt DS on the way, very excited. I do not want to fire +P loads in it, does anyone have a recommendation for good, standard pressure defensive loads? Thanks!

[MasAyoob]

Federal Nyclad, 125 grain standard pressure hollow point. Hard to find, but worth looking for.
best,
Mas

[flop-shank]

What Massad said, or target wadcutters. Jim Cirillo spoke highly of their effectiveness. I speak highly of their shootability. 

[wamj2008]

Thanks. What do you guys think of the hype surrounding Buffalo Bore's 158gr LSWCHP? Seems like the closest I can find to the FBI load.

[Jkwas]

Hornady also makes some standard pressure loads in their XTP product line.

[Steve]

wam:

What Mas said about the Nyclad, if you can find it.  Check the box, as it used to be available in standard and +P loadings.  Some of the old stock may still be floating around out there.  The reintroduced load is supposed to be the standard velocity version, but it has been extremely hard to find since they announced its return last January.

Hornady has a couple of standard pressure .38s.  The XTP mentioned earlier and the new Critical Defense load, which comes in both standard and +P versions.  We had some of the Critical Defense that was labeled as standard but was definitely much hotter, in the +P+ range.  Again, check the box, as they do have the velocity listed and they tell me that the mislabeling issue has been resolved.

I don't know anything about Buffalo Bore, although they have a reputation of making hot loads.  Again, I would verify the velocity if you are looking for standard pressure loads, which should be in the +/-900fps range.  The so-called FBI LSWCHP load was, to my knowledge, always a +P load.  It is still available, occasionally, from several manufacturers and they all designate it as +P.

Steve

[flop-shank]

I don't like Hornady defensive ammo. I tested the .38 and .380 Critical Defense loads in Perma-Gel. They both failed to expand when fired through four layers of denim. The .38 was a bad overpenetrator (17"+ and still going strong) after piercing the heavy cloth. XTPs were designed to penetrate super deep, so overpenetration is very likely. I would save my money and just use target wadcutters. Wadcutters at target level velocities will still penetrate extremely deep.