Effective Standard Load .38 special?

Southern Shooter · June 30, 2005, 08:33 AM

I have an F.I.E. Titan Tiger .38 special of 15-16 years of age...feels like a big, chunky piece of aluminum with a steel barrel and cylinder...not really sure what it is all made of. It is nothing pretty to look at. But, at the range with UMC 130 grain FMJ rounds it does well in terms of accuracy at 7 yards distance. And, it meets the needs of a what I call a "truck gun" or "boat gun"...something to have in the event of a surprise problem and yet I don't have to worry about scratching the finish...that had already happened before I inherited it.

I am not comfortable shooting +P rounds in it...I do not think it is rated for them anyway. What standard .38 special rounds would ya'll recommend I use in a gun like this for self-defense?

Jim Watson · June 30, 2005, 08:39 AM

My position on guns like that is that a little +P is not going to blow them up or even wear them out in the number of shots needed for familiarization and sight check. Nearly all the good expansive bullets are in +P loadings, and you need expansion from a .38 Special.

I have shot this and that but always go back to the 158 grain lead hollowpoint, the FBI or Chicago load. If you just must worry about it, the PMC Starfire 125 gr JHP is labeled +P but must be at the low end of the scale and is about as soft a hollowpoint load as I know of, what with Nyclad discontinued.

GTSteve03 · June 30, 2005, 08:40 AM

I would take a look at the 158g SWC round. Since you're not going to have the higher velocity +P loads, you need a heavier bullet for adequate penetration. This would also lead me to avoid the HP round, as I do not think you'll be sending the bullet fast enough for adequate expansion, and the HP will also limit your penetration. The semi-wadcutter design should cause enough secondary tissue damage and go deep enough to hit vitals.

But this is all IMHO.

michael t · June 30, 2005, 05:48 PM

I'd go with the 158 SWC also But I don't belive a few +P would hurt the pistol just not a study diet. I carried them in a old Charter Arms Undercover and never was a problem. Their in my 38spl. mod-60 S&W at present.

Gazpacho · June 30, 2005, 06:16 PM

Federal Hydra-Shok 110gr Personal Defense. All the tests I've seen show okay penetration 8"-12", good expansion, but high fragmentation (for a non fragmentation round).

omegapd · July 1, 2005, 03:25 AM

Magtech makes a 158g SJHP that's not a +P. Works great in some of my older stuff...

FWIW, I have the same gun you're talking about. I think it was the first gun I ever bought. I've tried over the years to break it and it won't happen. At one time I was shooting Corbon +P+ in it with no ill effects other than a stinging hand.

Mine's actually marked Arminius on the left side of the frame and then Titan Tiger, etc. on the right. Same gun?

June 30, 2005, 08:33 AM	#1
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 469	Effective Standard Load .38 special? I have an F.I.E. Titan Tiger .38 special of 15-16 years of age...feels like a big, chunky piece of aluminum with a steel barrel and cylinder...not really sure what it is all made of. It is nothing pretty to look at. But, at the range with UMC 130 grain FMJ rounds it does well in terms of accuracy at 7 yards distance. And, it meets the needs of a what I call a "truck gun" or "boat gun"...something to have in the event of a surprise problem and yet I don't have to worry about scratching the finish...that had already happened before I inherited it. I am not comfortable shooting +P rounds in it...I do not think it is rated for them anyway. What standard .38 special rounds would ya'll recommend I use in a gun like this for self-defense?

June 30, 2005, 08:39 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,155	My position on guns like that is that a little +P is not going to blow them up or even wear them out in the number of shots needed for familiarization and sight check. Nearly all the good expansive bullets are in +P loadings, and you need expansion from a .38 Special. I have shot this and that but always go back to the 158 grain lead hollowpoint, the FBI or Chicago load. If you just must worry about it, the PMC Starfire 125 gr JHP is labeled +P but must be at the low end of the scale and is about as soft a hollowpoint load as I know of, what with Nyclad discontinued.

June 30, 2005, 08:40 AM	#3
GTSteve03 Member Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 18	I would take a look at the 158g SWC round. Since you're not going to have the higher velocity +P loads, you need a heavier bullet for adequate penetration. This would also lead me to avoid the HP round, as I do not think you'll be sending the bullet fast enough for adequate expansion, and the HP will also limit your penetration. The semi-wadcutter design should cause enough secondary tissue damage and go deep enough to hit vitals. But this is all IMHO.

June 30, 2005, 05:48 PM	#4
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 4,044	I'd go with the 158 SWC also But I don't belive a few +P would hurt the pistol just not a study diet. I carried them in a old Charter Arms Undercover and never was a problem. Their in my 38spl. mod-60 S&W at present.

June 30, 2005, 06:16 PM	#5
Gazpacho Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2004 Posts: 592	Federal Hydra-Shok 110gr Personal Defense. All the tests I've seen show okay penetration 8"-12", good expansion, but high fragmentation (for a non fragmentation round).

July 1, 2005, 03:25 AM	#6
omegapd Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: GA Posts: 670	Magtech makes a 158g SJHP that's not a +P. Works great in some of my older stuff... FWIW, I have the same gun you're talking about. I think it was the first gun I ever bought. I've tried over the years to break it and it won't happen. At one time I was shooting Corbon +P+ in it with no ill effects other than a stinging hand. Mine's actually marked Arminius on the left side of the frame and then Titan Tiger, etc. on the right. Same gun?