Standard-Velocity 38 Special Loads Pony Up for Self Defense

Tested are cartridges in 90-, 110-, 125-, and 158-grain weights suitable for carry in snub nose revolvers or in longer wheel guns used at home. Our picks are from Hornady, Federal and Buffalo Bore.

By
estaff
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Richard, a Gun Tests reader, asked us to do a standard-pressure 38 Special ammunition test because +P ammunition may not be suitable for his older guns, and the higher-pressure ammo also can cause more recoil. Our test loads in the left-hand column top to bottom were Federal Premium Personal Defense Low Recoil 110-grain Hydra-Shok PD38H53 H and three loads from Buffalo Bore, the Standard Pressure 158-grain Soft Cast LSWCHP-G 20C/20, Standard Pressure 125-grain Low Velocity JHP 20E/20, and the Standard Pressure Lead Free 110-grain Barnes Tac XP 20G/20. In the right-hand stack top to bottom were three loads from Hornady, the American Gunner 125-grain XTP 90324, the Critical Defense 110-grain FTX 90310, and the Critical Defense Lite 90-grain FTX 90300. Not shown is a late addition, the Doubletap 38 Special 148-grain Full Wadcutter.

Thousands of shooters rely on a snubnose 38 Special pistol for carry, and many deploy a longer-barrel 38 Special for home defense or trail use. We recently received an e-mail concerning 38 Special ammunition. Reader Richard asked us to do a standard-pressure 38 Special ammunition test, noting that +P ammunition may not be suitable for older guns. This is true.

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