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38 sp. ammo

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:28 am
by Mr. Nail
I just bought a box of Remington 110gr. semi-jacketed hollow points for hog hunting defense. They look like they might do the trick but does anyone have any suggestions for next box? My pistols only reliabally accurate for about 30-40 yds. so Im more concerned w/ termination power than accurassy. Id rather not put +P ammo in my gun either. I'm also not real big on lead but will tolerate a little. Any suggestions?

Re: 38 sp. ammo

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:42 am
by bearandoldman
Mr. Nail wrote:I just bought a box of Remington 110gr. semi-jacketed hollow points for hog hunting defense. They look like they might do the trick but does anyone have any suggestions for next box? My pistols only reliabally accurate for about 30-40 yds. so Im more concerned w/ termination power than accurassy. Id rather not put +P ammo in my gun either. I'm also not real big on lead but will tolerate a little. Any suggestions?
If your pistol is rated for .38Sp+P, use it. ^That is whaT the gun was designed for. In my S&W 422 for self defense I carry it loaded with Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 brain +P GDHP's, shoulld be adequate for hogs or bad guys.

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 12:40 pm
by blue68f100
I normally carry 125gr HP in my Python. If's truely a defensive round a heaver bullet may be better.

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:48 am
by Mr. Nail
If your pistol is rated for .38Sp+P, use it. ^That is whaT the gun was designed for. In my S&W 422 for self defense I carry it loaded with Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 brain +P GDHP's, shoulld be adequate for hogs or bad guys
Its not rated for +P. Do you think I shoud've went w/ 135gr.? Whats the GDHP's? [/quote]

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:58 am
by bearandoldman
Mr. Nail wrote:
If your pistol is rated for .38Sp+P, use it. ^That is whaT the gun was designed for. In my S&W 422 for self defense I carry it loaded with Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 brain +P GDHP's, shoulld be adequate for hogs or bad guys
Its not rated for +P. Do you think I shoud've went w/ 135gr.? Whats the GDHP's?
That is what is printed on the box, I think it jut means God Dot Hollow Points? But they are +P, I guess the pressures are higher and may cause problems in an older gun.

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:21 pm
by radio
Everything that I've read seems to say, if you're not going to use +P ammo (or you gun is not rated for +P) use the largest grain ammo that you can find. I think the 158 grain is the largest for .38 spl. My wife's J frame is older and not rated for the higher pressure stuff and honestly, I'm hot and cold with it in mine. Standard pressure rounds with a large grain bullet is still darn tough on man or beast.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:08 am
by blue68f100
If you can find them the Hornady Critical Defense ammo. They make it for 38 and 38+ 115gr loads. I have a box for my Python. If it's any thing like the 9mm or 380's it will be soft shooting but design to disperse all of the energy in the BG so should work fine on a hog...

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:07 am
by greener
I'm loading 125gr hp either in .38 special, +P and .357. Next time I buy, I'll probably go a bit heavier on the bullet assuming I can find it when I buy.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 5:40 pm
by radio
blue68f100 wrote:If you can find them the Hornady Critical Defense ammo. They make it for 38 and 38+ 115gr loads. I have a box for my Python. If it's any thing like the 9mm or 380's it will be soft shooting but design to disperse all of the energy in the BG so should work fine on a hog...
That is the round currently loaded in my CCW.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:18 am
by Mr. Nail
Is there a way to find out if my Colt Detective Special can shoot +P ammo? It's a heavy gun ,but it's almost priceless to me so I dont wanna damage it.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:28 am
by bearandoldman
Mr. Nail wrote:Is there a way to find out if my Colt Detective Special can shoot +P ammo? It's a heavy gun ,but it's almost priceless to me so I dont wanna damage it.
Image

If it is rated +P it should be marked so on the barrel.

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:08 am
by Mr. Nail
It's not labled so I better play it safe huh?