Another look at 38 Special for self defense

[Jose]

Those who think the 38 Special may be an anemic defensive cartridge may want to reconsider in the face of this data:

Penetration of various 38 Special +P loads from a 4" revolver

and

Penetration of Remington 38 Special +P 158 gr LSWCHP from a 1 7/8" revolver

In almost all tests done there, the Remington FBI load is a clear winner with consistent 11 to 12 inch penetration from snubs and 15 inches plus from a service type revolver, and handily beating many of the new tech loads like Speer's 135 gr short barrel load.

That is why I carry that load in my Model 637.

Additionally, comparing the FBI load's penetration in a 4" gun to the (over) penetration exhibited by most 125 and 158 grain 357 Magnum loads in the same weapon have made me standardize on Remington's 38+P 158 LSWCHP load in all my wheelguns.

Also note the 9x19 147 grain loads' superior penetration compared to lighter weights.

 

[RKG]

But what, exactly, does this data prove, vis-a-vis the effectiveness of a self-defense load to stop an aggressor quickly?

Remember, the stopping power of a round is directly related to (i) transferred energy and (ii) bullet terminal reaction. Transferred energy, in turn, is related to the square of the difference between velocity at entry and velocity at exit; the "ideal" stopping round slug does not exit (and therefore transfers 100% of its energy at entry). Is it not true that the greater the "penetration depth," the greater the likelihood that the slug will exit?

 

[HOPHEAD]

Energy transfer at handgun velocities? Yeah right. We are not talking about rifles here.

With a handgun shot placement is king and penetration queen.

 

[RKG]

I doubt that a properly done study (and I have none in mind) would bear you out on the proposition that energy transfer is irrelevant to stopping power.

What I do have in mind are anecdotes, plus one personally observed experience, where a person who sustained multiple through-and-throughs (FMJs in the observed case and suspected in the anecdotal ones) displayed minimal immediate stopping effect. By definition, these represented the ultimate in penetration (i.e., 100% of target depth).

 

[Jose]

I doubt that a properly done study (and I have none in mind) would bear you out on the proposition that energy transfer is irrelevant to stopping power.

What I do have in mind are anecdotes, plus one personally observed experience, where a person who sustained multiple through-and-throughs (FMJs in the observed case and suspected in the anecdotal ones) displayed minimal immediate stopping effect. By definition, these represented the ultimate in penetration (i.e., 100% of target depth).

Did you miss the part about bullet expansion data in the test?

Bullet expansion does have a direct correlation to permanent crush, IIRC.

BTW, none of the reputable wound ballistics experts that I am aware of consider bullet energy to be relevant. Dr. Gary K. Roberts comes to mind. Don't ask me to explain the basis of his positions, because I am not him. I only report what he considers relevant, not the why.

Anyway, the whole point of this post was to illustrate that 38 Special ammunition is not the defensive weakling many suppose it is, particularly when loaded with heavy-for-caliber hollow point bullets. According to the data in that website, it performs as well or better than 9x19.