A calibre question, not a calibre war. - Page 2

publius · November 6, 2013, 09:27 PM

Single shot- 158gr. .38spl.

2damnold4this · November 6, 2013, 09:50 PM

I'm not sure there would be a hill of beans worth of difference between any of these offerings in FMJ.

**Mike Irwin** · November 6, 2013, 10:34 PM

135-gr. +P Speer Gold Dot out of my S&W Model 042.

Hal · November 7, 2013, 05:42 AM

Quote:

they were no where near .357 Max. territory

Taffin says he gets over 1400 fps. from the Keith load out of an 8 3/8" barrel.
That's closer to max than it is to mag.

However - you guys are correct - OP said no +P stuff.

45long · November 7, 2013, 06:01 AM

38 has my vote .

A while back I read a report from the FBI doing extensive research on the 38 Spl . Funny thing is , it turned out to be the 125 grain bullet that won out gaining the most penetration with both FMJs and HPs. I thought it odd because we are usually taught that the heavier the bullet the the more it penetrates . Guess this rule doesn't apply all the time.

darkgael · November 7, 2013, 06:13 AM

I like the .38 Special loaded with a 158 grain LHP.
About calibers....you have three there: .357, .355, .365 across three cartridges...the .38 Spl., the 9X17, the 9X18.
Pete

LockedBreech · November 7, 2013, 02:13 PM

Some 158-grain .38 special loads aren't just acceptable, they're downright effective. My choice as well. My 1968 Detective Special holds 6 standard-pressure Buffalo Bore LSWCHPs and I feel very assured with it in my winter coat pocket on the rare occasion it get carried.

If I'm being honest the LCP in .380/9x17 is my companion about 95% of the time though. It's not super powerful but I think I could conceal the darn thing wearing a spandex bathing suit.

November 6, 2013, 09:27 PM	#26
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Single shot- 158gr. .38spl. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

November 6, 2013, 10:34 PM	#28
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	135-gr. +P Speer Gold Dot out of my S&W Model 042. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 7, 2013, 06:01 AM	#30
45long Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2011 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 106	38spl 38 has my vote . A while back I read a report from the FBI doing extensive research on the 38 Spl . Funny thing is , it turned out to be the 125 grain bullet that won out gaining the most penetration with both FMJs and HPs. I thought it odd because we are usually taught that the heavier the bullet the the more it penetrates . Guess this rule doesn't apply all the time. __________________ N0MJP Last edited by 45long; November 7, 2013 at 06:18 AM.

November 7, 2013, 06:13 AM	#31
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Hmmm I like the .38 Special loaded with a 158 grain LHP. About calibers....you have three there: .357, .355, .365 across three cartridges...the .38 Spl., the 9X17, the 9X18. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

November 7, 2013, 02:13 PM	#32
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	Some 158-grain .38 special loads aren't just acceptable, they're downright effective. My choice as well. My 1968 Detective Special holds 6 standard-pressure Buffalo Bore LSWCHPs and I feel very assured with it in my winter coat pocket on the rare occasion it get carried. If I'm being honest the LCP in .380/9x17 is my companion about 95% of the time though. It's not super powerful but I think I could conceal the darn thing wearing a spandex bathing suit. __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

November 6, 2013, 09:50 PM	#27
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	I'm not sure there would be a hill of beans worth of difference between any of these offerings in FMJ.