Standard-Velocity 38 Special Loads Pony Up for Self Defense

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.

Also, modern aluminum-frame lightweight revolvers are not always rated for +P ammo, which is just a shorthand way of saying higher-pressure ammunition. Their frames and cylinders can be warped by higher pressures, and from the shooter’s side, there are problems with recoil in the usual run of 12- to 16-ounce 38 Special revolvers — recoil is stiff and uncomfortable for many shooters.

It should be noted that the 38 Special was intended as an improvement over the 38 Long Colt military cartridge. The 38 Special was invented just as smokeless powder was becoming more common in handgun cartridges. While often compared to the 9mm Luger, the 38 Special features a more voluminous case intended for black powder. Small charges of fast-burning powder work well in the 38 Special. In a heavy revolver, and especially a 357 Magnum revolver, very strong loads may be put in the 38 Special cartridge case. Suffice it to say, the 1899 cartridge is a far better loading today than of a 125 years ago.

The 38 Special has two recognized pressure levels. The first is standard pressure, which is around 17,000 psi. The +P loads are rated at 20,000 psi. Some have gone further with the old 38/44 loads, intended for heavy-frame revolvers on the 44 frame, and 38 Special +P+ loads, which have no standard rating. These loads, unless they’re filled by overambitious handloaders, are strong loads, but they will not blow the gun up, crack a frame, or split a cylinder just because they are +P. Small parts in the action take a beating, however, and aluminum frames sometimes crack and stretch. So it is best to use standard-pressure 38 Specials in older guns and all aluminum-frame guns. As a general rule, +P is for steel-frame 38s or lightweight 357 Magnums. When +P+ loads are found, which isn’t often, they should be reserved for heavier 357 Magnum steel-frame revolvers.

With all this background in mind, we decided to test several standard-pressure 38 Special loads intended for personal defense. At one time, it was common and accurate knowledge that lead bullets plump up and expand more easily at lower velocity. A caution in using lead bullets in hard-kicking snubbie revolvers: We have tested 38 Special lead-bullet loads, including the old FBI load that tended to jump the crimp in recoil when fired in ultra-lightweight scandium revolvers.

 These revolvers are stamped for jacketed bullets only. Reason: A combination of a medium crimp — all that is normally needed with a 38 Special — and relatively soft lead bullets can result in a bullet jumping forward in the cartridge case, entering the cylinder gap, and tying the gun up. The alloy in the Buffalo Bore load tested here isn’t that soft, and the bullet also features a gas check and a heavy crimp. Just the same, we took special precautions with it.

We tested a number of loads and came away with respect for the 38 Special standard-pressure cartridges. While not as effective and not creating as great a wound channel as 38 Special +P loads, there is some crossover, with the best standard-pressure loads performing better than some +P loads we have tested. We would not hesitate to deploy any of the Grade A or A- loads. The B loads would serve well in certain circumstances.

We should note that we normally like 14 inches of penetration in water testing. In this case, a number of the loads did not meet this criteria. In round terms, 12 inches in water is about 10 inches in gelatin, so perhaps you should carefully consider your options if you need more penetration. Some loads were rated down due to over penetration, but this could be an asset in other scenarios. The middle of the road is a good place to be, and our grades reflect this balance.

Test Guns

We used a Smith & Wesson Model 640 357 Magnum in testing these loads in the ballistics test. We also fired a Smith & Wesson 642 38 Special Airweight in gauging recoil with some of the loads. The 640 weighs 23 ounces, and the 642 15 ounces. The 640 barrel length is 2.25 inches, while the 642’s barrel is 17⁄8 inches in length. We used the 640 to be certain we actually hit the water jugs squarely. The sight radius on the 642 isn’t the best for accurate aiming at the jugs’ distance, and recoil is tiring with the smaller gun.

For accuracy testing neither of these revolvers would have been a good test vehicle. Results with the double-action-only 640 would have been random depending on how well we were able to control a DAO trigger and how tired we were. We used a 4-inch barrel Smith & Wesson Model 66 357 Magnum revolver for accuracy testing. We fired at 25 yards, and the results portray accuracy potential well. It’s hard for us to imagine another gun shooting these rounds better at this distance, so your mileage may vary. Accuracy was good to very good, more than needed for personal defense or home defense. Just don’t expect that kind of accuracy from a snubnose 38 Special at 25 yards. Here’s how the loads did in our tests: 

Hornady Critical Defense Lite38 Special 90-grain FTX 90300

$33/25 rounds

The Hornady load may seem pricey, however, this isn’t a 20-round box but is instead a 25-round box, which puts things in a different perspective on a price-per-round basis. Rated by the manufacturer at 1200 fps muzzle velocity, the 90-grain FTX is intended to offer light recoil due to the lighter-than-normal 38 Special bullet weight. Velocity is upped without reaching +P pressure. The result is a reasonable choice and the lightest felt recoil of the test. At 10 yards, the 90-grain bullet was dead on point of aim, a neat treat and a result of good velocity, even with a light bullet. Expansion is reliable at 0.43 inch. This is a reasonable choice for everyday use. We rated the 90-grain Critical Defense Lite down a grade because of its lower penetration, 12 inches in water. But if you’re recoil sensitive, it might be just the ticket.

Gun Tests Grade B 

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special 110-grain FTX 90310

$33/25 rounds 

This load is priced the same as the specialty 90-grain load. Rated by the manufacturer at 1010 fps muzzle velocity, the 110-grain FTX follows the precept of lightening bullet weight to increase velocity without raising pressure. Felt recoil is modest. The FTX/Critical Defense load is noted for reliable expansion after hitting barriers and clothing. We like this one a lot. We recommend the 110-grain Hornady load over the 90-grain Lite, unless there is a special need for recoil control even greater than that exhibited with 110-grain loads. Most raters could not detect the difference in recoil, even the shooters who have the arthritic hands that dog some of our brothers and sisters.

Gun Tests Grade A

Hornady American Gunner 38 Special 125-grain XTP 90324

$26/25 rounds

This is a good price for a 25-round box of hollow-point ammunition. Rated by the manufacturer at 900 fps muzzle velocity, this is a reliable and accurate loading. The balance of expansion and penetration favors penetration. At 18 inches of penetration in water, the 125-grain XTP has much to offer, but expansion is modest at 0.40 inch. Some of the test bullets barely opened. At +P velocity, this bullet can plump up to 0.60 when driven to 1000 fps. At standard velocity, other loads designed to open at modest velocity performed better. We rated the Hornady down a notch on too much penetration and another half notch on too little expansion. Accuracy, however, cannot be faulted. 

Gun Tests Grade B-

Federal Premium Personal Defense Low Recoil 38 Special 110-grain Hydra-Shok PD38H53H, 

$29/20 rounds

This is a specifically designed reduced-recoil 38 Special load, rated by the manufacturer at 980 fps muzzle velocity. Velocity and energy in our guns (800 fps/158 foot-pounds) were modest. Recoil is mild. This is an accurate load, and it exhibits limited muzzle flash. Penetration was 17 inches in water and expansion to 0.52 inch was excellent. We feel that this load really has the essential elements of a low-recoil but effective defense load. Expansion is very consistent, and the nickel-plated cases seem to add smoothness in loading and unloading, according to our resident handloader. Penetration is just over our 16-inch ideal range, but we like the overall balance of expansion and penetration. 

Gun Tests Grade A 

Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy 38 Special (non +P) Lead Free 110-grain Barnes Tac XP 20G/20

$38/20

Rated for 1000 fps/244 foot-pounds by the manufacturer, this load is pricey, but it features an all-copper bullet, and all such types are more expensive. All-copper bullets are simply a pricey component. They are designed with a solid shank, ensuring penetration and bullet integrity, while the nose is softer to ensure expansion, which in this case was 0.56 inch. In the accompanying photo, note the modest hollow cavity in the nose, yet we had good results. This is a strong standard-pressure load clocking 960 fps in the Smith & Wesson 640. Curious, we clocked velocity from the 17⁄8-inch Smith & Wesson 642 at 940 fps and the 4-inch-barrel Smith & Wesson Model 66 at 1070 fps. This would make a good all-round 38 Special choice. While we are primarily concerned with snubnose loads, this would be well suited for home defense. We rated it down a half grade because penetration was on the long side at 18 inches, but it is better to have more rather than less penetration. 

Gun Tests Grade A-

Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy38 Special (non +P) 125-grain Low Velocity JHP 20E/20

 $39/20

Rated for 900 fps/225 foot-pounds MV/ME by the manufacturer, this non +P rated load flew at 909 fps/229 foot-pounds on our instruments. This load uses the Speer Gold Dot bullet, an excellent choice. Buffalo Bore also informs the consumer the load may use other available bullets, including the Hornady XTP. After all, supply is still not what it should be. We have consistently found this number loaded with the Gold Dot bullet, which is exceptional. Penetration to 15 inches of water is ideal, and expansion to 0.62 inch is good as well. Accuracy at the range was among the best in the test at 1.9 inches, and the loading features low-flash powder, which Buffalo Bore may achieve by salt treating. Whatever they do, the load only threw a few sparks, and there was no orange flash. We recommend this load and find it ideal for steel-frame revolvers. Recoil is modest in the S&W 640. 

Gun Tests Grade A

 Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy 38 Special (non +P) 158-grain Soft Cast LSWCHP-G 20C/20,

 $39/20

Rated for 850 fps/253 foot-pounds MV/ME by the manufacturer, this load uses a soft cast bullet, in contrast to Buffalo Bore’s hard-cast Outdoorsman line of heavy 38 Special loads. The bullet is gas checked to avoid leading. This is simply a small copper washer press fitted to the base of the bullet. Gas checks prevent leading and also prevent gas cutting off the bullet base. The hollow-point bullet is a semi-wadcutter style (SWC in the nomenclature) and cast with a slight rebated base to allow the use of a gas check. This makes for a more expensive projectile, partly because cast bullets are not lead. They are a harder alloy of lead. This load presents the greatest recoil of any load tested here due to the bullet’s weight and also velocity. As an example, most 38 Special 158-grain training loads break 780 fps or so in a snubnose 38. We like this load better than the more powerful +P version we tested a few months ago. The +P version will clock 1000 fps or very close in a snubnose 38 Special revolver. With this standard-pressure low-flash load, penetration is on the long side at 18 inches of water, but consistent. This is arguably the hardest-hitting load tested, and it’s the load with the most energy at 158 foot-pounds. Because it is a lead-bullet load, and there have been issues with lead bullets and crimp, we fired 20 cartridges in the Smith & Wesson 640. It was a chore by the last cylinder. To check the crimp strength, we did not fire the initial fifth cartridge, but instead saved it for the next cylinder, firing a total of 19 cartridges, all delivering recoil energy to the single test cartridge, then removing the cartridge and inspecting it for bullet movement. None noted. While we rated the load down a half grade on penetration, some will consider the 18 inches of penetration ideal. Velocity for us, 844 fps, was close to the manufacturer’s spec, and expansion was a healthy 0.65 inch.

Gun Test Grade A-

Doubletap 38 Special 148-grain Full Wadcutter 

$18.61/20 rounds

Rated for 800 fps/210 foot-pounds MV/ME out of a 4-inch barrel by the manufacturer, one of our raters noted that for many years, the old hands recommended the 38 Special 148-grain wadcutter as an alternative for the recoil shy. This makes sense because the wadcutter, while no powerhouse, features a blunt nose profile that was likely more effective in tissue than a 130-grain FMJ or 158-grain RNL, common training loads. At 720 fps, recoil is mild. A few years ago, we tested a 148-grain wadcutter with a soft lead bullet at 703 fps. Despite the low velocity, that load sailed through 24 inches of water — four water jugs. The Doubletap load uses a hard cast bullet that will likely not leave leading in the bore until you have fired hundreds of rounds. Recoil is mild and accuracy excellent. However the bullet sailed through 24 inches of water in the jugs again, in true wadcutter fashion, leaving a well defined full-caliber hole in each. No need for further testing. This isn’t the arena this target load was meant for, and while it is a formidable loading in some ways, we cannot recommend a target wadcutter for personal defense unless you need greater-than-average penetration. Living in a true four-season climate where the bad guys may bundle up in the winter, you may be advised to leave the low-penetration 110-grain loads at home in favor of this load, but that is a limited scenario. We rated the load down a grade on penetration and a grade on wound channel, because we didn’t recover the bullet.

Gun Tests Grade C

The Bottom Line

These loads offer excellent reliability and accuracy. The question is wound ballistics. We find the Hornady 110-grain Critical Defense superior to the lighter weight 90-grain Critical Defense Lite. We just don’t see those few points in power factor/recoil making a difference, especially in a typical home-defense steel-frame revolver. The 125-grain XTP isn’t as impressive a competitor. So we have the 110-grain Critical Defense and the Federal Hydra-Shok as 110-grain loads that are comparable, and each offers good performance. The 110-grain Buffalo/Barnes load is a good choice. Some prefer all-copper bullets and have greater confidence in them. We feel the all-copper bullet is unnecessarily expensive, and this isn’t Buffalo Bore’s fault; they offer a desirable product that people will pay for. The 125-grain JHP from Buffalo Bore gets our top rating on wound ballistics. Energy is greater than the other JHP loads. The balance of expansion and penetration is ideal. We would question moving to a +P load considering the performance of this round. In a steel-frame 4-inch-barrel house gun, this load is practically docile, as are all the loads tested, save perhaps the 158-grain Buffalo Bore load. Firing all of the loads for accuracy in the 4-inch-barrel revolver was pleasant. The Buffalo Bore 158-grain load is a classic lead hollowpoint (although the bullet isn’t lead, it is a mix of lead, tin, and a hardener) that offers good performance. Penetration is on the long end, however. While we would choose a 110-grain load in a snubnose 38, if carrying a 3- or 4-inch-barrel steel-frame revolver, the heavy Buffalo Bore load is a good choice.

In today’s world, supply isn’t what it once was. We hope we have given you a good idea of the choices available in standard-pressure 38 Special choices. It isn’t good to rely on resupply with a single load, so it is best to have at least two or even three on your acceptable list. 

38 Special Performance Data

Notes: Average Velocity and Standard Deviation readings were obtained by firing 20 rounds over a Competition Electronics Pro Chrono. Ambient temperature: 90 degrees. Elevation: 815 feet above sea level. ● The accuracy figures are the average 

38 Special Performance Data (March 2022)

Notes: Average Velocity and Standard Deviation readings were obtained by firing 20 rounds over a Competition Electronics Pro Chrono. Ambient temperature: 90 degrees. Elevation: 815 feet above sea level. ● The accuracy figures are the average
of three five-shot groups. For accuracy, we fired the test gun from a benchrest at a 25-yard target. ● To calculate IPSC power factor, multiply bullet weight in grains by the velocity in fps, then divide by 1000.
of three five-shot groups. For accuracy, we fired the test gun from a benchrest at a 25-yard target. ● To calculate IPSC power factor, multiply bullet weight in grains by the velocity in fps, then divide by 1000. *Not graded, specialty bullet type.
Written and photographed by Gun Tests Staff, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT