.38 Special SWC Effectiveness - Page 3

Southern Shooter · December 10, 2012, 07:29 AM

This is a great discussion. Thanks for all of the input, so far. Just wanted to toss this back out there.

Quote:

We were discussing emergency preparedness, food storage, and of course stocking up of ammunition. We debated this question: As a last ditch effort, would a .36 caliber, 158 grain, semi-wadcutter, traveling at 830-850 FPS, hitting center-mass, be effective as a self-defense round?

Thanks

kraigwy · December 10, 2012, 11:31 AM

Real life penetration of Lyman's 358477 150 gr LSWC, cast from wheel weights, meaning not excessively hard.

I shot this guy with my Model 28, using the above bullet, pushed by 14.5 grns of 2400. He was charging my police car. Hit in the neck just below the skull. In my 20 years with the Anchorage Police Dept. I've probably kill close to a dozen moose after being injured in traffic accidents. Never had to shoot one twice.

On this guy, disregard the photo, I staged that for my grand kids. I bought the buffalo from excess at Custer state Park. Shot him in the head just below the horn base. First round was too high and bounced off. Second round, a little lower, half way between the horn base and eyes did the trick.

I don't carry my Model 28 much any more but I use the same bullet in my 642 pocket revolver. I've put down horses,and after muff shots on deer, finished them off.

I have all the faith in the world in the 150-158 grn LSWCs. I see no reason to change now.

Nanuk · December 10, 2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

I shot this guy with my Model 28, using the above bullet, pushed by 14.5 grns of 2400. He was charging my police car. Hit in the neck just below the skull. In my 20 years with the Anchorage Police Dept. I've probably kill close to a dozen moose after being injured in traffic accidents. Never had to shoot one twice.

That is a nice load. Should be clocking about 1200 fps from you model 28. Significantly more than the LRN @700 FPS a lot of folks seem to think is acceptable.

nate45 · December 10, 2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanuk

That is a nice load. Should be clocking about 1200 fps from you model 28. Significantly more than the LRN @700 FPS a lot of folks seem to think is acceptable.

Where does anyone claim the LRN @ 700 FPS is acceptable in this thread? I guess I missed that. Maybe you could point it out?

ltc444 · December 10, 2012, 01:07 PM

For a prepper on a limited budget the 38spl 158 grain swc is a good way to increase your ammo stocks. Since you reload you have the ability to further reduce your cost by reducing the quantity of cases you maintain.

Having said that, I would also stock a quantity of top of the line ammo for actual defense in the early stages of a break down.

As the discussion has said: The SWCs are excellent small to medium game loads. For defense there may be a better defense load available.

If you would like to discus this further, please PM me.

deputy tom · December 11, 2012, 01:29 PM

I like the lead SWC for target use and as a carry load. The ones that I carry however are 158gr LSWCHP+Ps.tom.

Nanuk · December 11, 2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Where does anyone claim the LRN @ 700 FPS is acceptable in this thread? I guess I missed that. Maybe you could point it out?

I guess I missed it too......

warningshot · December 12, 2012, 12:48 AM

xx

Tennessee Jed · December 13, 2012, 11:42 AM

Glad to see this thread. I've been thinking the same thing. I find 158 grain SWCs around 800-850 fps to be the most accurate round out of my j-frames. Doesn't kick too badly, very cheap to load, and I shoot a lot of them.

If it's true that shot placement is the most important element (and it is), then it makes a whole lot of sense to carry the round I shoot best and most frequently.

December 10, 2012, 11:31 AM	#52
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Real life penetration of Lyman's 358477 150 gr LSWC, cast from wheel weights, meaning not excessively hard. I shot this guy with my Model 28, using the above bullet, pushed by 14.5 grns of 2400. He was charging my police car. Hit in the neck just below the skull. In my 20 years with the Anchorage Police Dept. I've probably kill close to a dozen moose after being injured in traffic accidents. Never had to shoot one twice. On this guy, disregard the photo, I staged that for my grand kids. I bought the buffalo from excess at Custer state Park. Shot him in the head just below the horn base. First round was too high and bounced off. Second round, a little lower, half way between the horn base and eyes did the trick. I don't carry my Model 28 much any more but I use the same bullet in my 642 pocket revolver. I've put down horses,and after muff shots on deer, finished them off. I have all the faith in the world in the 150-158 grn LSWCs. I see no reason to change now. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 11, 2012, 01:29 PM	#56
deputy tom Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Pennsyltucky Posts: 753	I like the lead SWC for target use and as a carry load. The ones that I carry however are 158gr LSWCHP+Ps.tom. __________________ N.R.A.LIFE MEMBER Thank Goodness we're back on line. An end will come on the world, but love and music will endure. Thig crioch air an t-saoghail, ach mairidh gaol 's ceol. Old Scottish Gaelic proverb

December 12, 2012, 12:48 AM	#58
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	xx xx

December 10, 2012, 01:07 PM	#55
ltc444 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2011 Location: Vernon AZ Posts: 1,195	For a prepper on a limited budget the 38spl 158 grain swc is a good way to increase your ammo stocks. Since you reload you have the ability to further reduce your cost by reducing the quantity of cases you maintain. Having said that, I would also stock a quantity of top of the line ammo for actual defense in the early stages of a break down. As the discussion has said: The SWCs are excellent small to medium game loads. For defense there may be a better defense load available. If you would like to discus this further, please PM me.

December 13, 2012, 11:42 AM	#59
Tennessee Jed Member Join Date: July 14, 2010 Posts: 92	Glad to see this thread. I've been thinking the same thing. I find 158 grain SWCs around 800-850 fps to be the most accurate round out of my j-frames. Doesn't kick too badly, very cheap to load, and I shoot a lot of them. If it's true that shot placement is the most important element (and it is), then it makes a whole lot of sense to carry the round I shoot best and most frequently.