Can you recommend ammunition, for self-defense, for the following?

.38 special
.357 magnum
.380 automatic

I'm assuming that certain brands are preferred, and certain specific bullets.

This is way beyond my ken.


Thank you very much.

No straightforward recommendations as your type of firearm is an important factor.

In 380, I carry the CoreBon w/ X bullet. Works well in a Kel Tec P3AT.

In 38 special, my wife carries +P from various manufacturers.

357...I only use on the trail...carry CorBon hardcast lead for bear.

I've heard good things about Double Tap ammo...that's what I carry in my 40's and 10mm's. But there are many very fine loads from almost every manufacturer.

Carry as big as you can!

Speer Gold Dots self defense ammo comes in all three calibers and is very good stuff.

+1 for Speer Gold Dots, that is what I am issued.

I use CorBon. Just make sure it will feed in any auto pistol you carry, some guns are fussy about hollowpoints.

Can you recommend ammunition, for self-defense, for the following?

.38 special
.357 magnum
.380 automatic

I'm assuming that certain brands are preferred, and certain specific bullets.

This is way beyond my ken.


Thank you very much.

On the .380 ACP field, I know a guy who, concerned about tales of this cartridge generally being an underperformer, went with the Remington Golden Saber. It's a hollowpoint, and the heaviest bullet I know of being produced for this cartridge, at 102gr. It doesn't lose much velocity compared to the 95gr loads. So, in theory, it should be one of the best at both expanding and penetrating.
I've had trouble finding it, myself, and wound up going with the Winchester Silvertips, since my gun (NAA Guardian) is actually designed to use them.

I generally pick up a box of Cor-Bon for any of my carry guns. I have put some of the 125gr. .357 mag bullets through varmits, and the neck of one not-quite-dead deer.

It worked pretty good and wouldn't have any qualms about recommending it.

flat nosed as high octane as your gun will shoot..don t limp wrist autos.. i have a feelin that a lot bad gets sad about various autoloaders and rnds,, feeding poorly ,,when its the shooter with the problem..jmo

Can you recommend ammunition, for self-defense, for the following?

.38 special
.357 magnum
.380 automatic

I'm assuming that certain brands are preferred, and certain specific bullets.

This is way beyond my ken.


Thank you very much.

First off, the .380 and .38 special are below my minimum threshold for allowable self defense rounds because they don't pack enough kinetic energy to go through bone at any distance. .38+P is pretty much my minimum, and 9mm is pretty much equivalent. My preference is .357 magnum, but I find that takes a bigger revolver than I am willing to carry. My favorite compromises are the Kahr K9 which holds 8 rounds of 9mm and the S&W 649 "Bodyguard" in stainless steel, with five rounds of .38+P. If I'm in a situation where I can comfortably carry bigger guns without scaring the crowds, then I like a .357 magnum in an eight-round S&W PC627 revolver with a five inch barrel.
http://virginialegaldefense.com/Stuff/627/DSC01435.JPG

User, that's a nice revolver. I bought the ammo for someone for a present, and wanted to surprise him. Hence, my research. After what some have told me, and what I've read on the forums, I've been thinking about a .38 +P for myself someday.

I like gifts that show that the giver has put some effort into finding something I'd really like, and I wanted to do that.

I generally load Factory New Precision Defense Ammo using GoldenSaber Bullets for my clients.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn147/HarlanCo/WetPack.jpg

good display harlan.. my results are similar.. thats why i go for upper center body mass or an croch shot..my easiest hit is an face shot.. with flat nosed..that way everything is either in the neck, face or forhead..after reading how nobody thinks the handgun is an quick stopper to the torso.. i choose the face as its just easy for me..i think an face shot is probably [no sure things are they.. ] gonna disoreintate even the biggest guy..where as an hit to the chest might take to long to stop his retaliation..since i can hit the face as easy as the chest ,,its my choice..
i do believe that people that hunt game with handgun,,view it differently,,than those with self defense from man predators as thier goal.. this just from reading post here... im still developing some ideas on this subject..

Go to www.doubletapammo.com and check out their offerings. I have had nothing but good experiences with Double Tap ammo and it is priced better that most factory ammo.

LBR, I have all my pistols at home loaded with Glaser safety rounds Blue Tip. My carry is either a Taurus 85 altra lite .38 or a Star FireStar .40 S&W both are +P loads, or sometimes I stoke the .40 with Black Telons.
But for home I'd recommend Glaser Blue tip or any other safety round. If your like me I don't want to hurt anybody or anything I don't intend too! Paul..

.38 spl .......... Speer Gold Dot +P.
.357 mag........... Ditto
.380 .......... Nothing.