What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

I live in California, so the round must be legal here.
Obviously it must be non-hollow point.
Be well.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

Actually, Federal "Tactical Bonded" is a hollow-point designed to penetrate glass and steel with minimal expansion while still expanding on impact with a soft target. This is what I would recommend. I don't think you could get anything AP (armor piercing) just because of the velocity limitations of .38.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

I would vote for 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter. Preferably in a +P loading.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

http://le.atk.com/general/federalpro...calbonded.aspx

Nevermind... doesn't appear to be available in .38. It's too bad you don't have a .357 MAG.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

How well does it penetrate a thick leather winter coat?
Be well.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

If it must be non-hollowpoint, then a hard cast 158 grain semi-wadcutter +p load would probably be your best bet.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

heaviest hardcast you can find

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

Hollow points are illegal in CA? I knew they are illegal in New Jersey.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

Why would hollow points be illegal? Arent they safer than standard bullets since they stop instead of entering and exiting (thereby creating two holes out of which someone could bleed to death)?

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

Hollow points are perfectly legal in California, however, if he wants maximum penetration he obviously does not want a HP design.

I'd say 158 grain hard cast Semi wadcutter would give you the best penetration.

Now if you are looking for a self defense bullet, the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot hollow point is hard to beet. It meets the 12-18" penetration requirements of the FBI/IWBA, and does not clog up with heavy clothing. It's also a bonded design, so it stays together better than a traditional jacketed HP will.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

I'll be blunt:
How far is this going to penetrate into a bad guy, after penetrating a heavy leather jacket? (Assuming use of short barrel S+W revolver.)

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

LAUghing: How deep is your bad guy?
If he's THAT big, maybe you need a rifle.

Re: What 38 spl round has the best penetration?
 

My choice.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...2/DSCN2627.jpg