Doc GKR’s take:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....0-ACP-vs-38-Sp
The part that confuses me is how the Federal full wadcutter is recommended but isn’t it considered softer lead?
“When faced with too little penetration, as is common with lightweight .38 Sp JHP loads or too much penetration like with the wadcutters, then go with penetration. Agencies around here have used the Winchester 148 gr standard pressure lead target wadcutter (X38SMRP), as well as the Federal (GM38A) version--both work.”
I love shooting them from a 642 but I don’t have confidence in them penetrating thick bones. Isn’t the “too much penetration” argument related to how far it can travel through jello without any obstruction? Am I wrong? I haven’t found anything specially on this topic.
Yes, but that’s comparing a 38 revolver to a 380 semi-auto.
Not a 38 revolver to a 380 revolver.
@03RN I definitely defer to your military background and experience. I’m trying to wrap my mind around how differences in ballistic energy translate into real world trade offs.
For example if slower and heavier is better than faster and lighter, why would any police agency pick 124gr 9mm Gold Dots over 147gr?
My favorite self defense load is 9mm 147+P HST but I just don’t know that heavier and slower is always better.
Because speed does help when the mass is heavy enough. 124gr @1200fps is a solid load. But I'd rather have a 158gr @ 1200fps.
Don't always defer to others experience. Just log it, and get you own. Go shoot 100 deer and figure stuff out.
It's not just energy. Bullet type plays a part.
A flat nose .22 at the same speed as a 22 rn or HP kills really really well on squirrels and raccoons. Then a softer subsonic hp kills better than harder supersonic .22.
Most factory wadcutter ammo is loaded with swaged HBWCs. Since its design is to provide maximum accuracy by having the skirt expand somewhat when the round is fired, a softer alloy is required. I'm unaware of any company that loads hardcast DEWCs at traditional velocities...doesn't mean there aren't any out there that do, I just haven't heard of them. If it weren't for the possible legal ramifications of using handloads in a self-defense shooting, I'd be glad to load my own.
I'm going to load up 2700 hardcast dewc over 4gr of 231 for my kids but depending on how they work they may be my go to 2" gun load. My only 2" guns are a 10 and my wife's 15 but I'm sure they'll work exceptionally well.
For In Home defense loads, I load Hollow Base wad cutters, upside down which will open up but not penetrate walls and possibly harm others in the house. These are loaded in 2" revolvers.