Balrog
Senior Member
I think to a large extent we are asking ourselves the wrong question. The differences in stopping power of these two cartridges are generally small, though I would generally favor 38 special as the most potent since it generally will use a heavier bullet.
The most important thing in stopping opponents is getting hits. The real question should be, which are you more accurate with, a 380 auto or a 38 snub revolver. Go with whichever you can get the most hits the fastest.
The second most important thing is that your bullets penetrate deep enough.
I generally shoot a small 380 automatic better than I do a snub nose revolver. There I am generally going to consider myself better armed with a 380 auto for that reason. I also like the fact that an auto is easier to reload, and its easier to carry ammo in a spare mag than a speed loader for a revolver.
I do feel that most 380 hollow points lack adequate penetration. Lightweight bullets designed to expand at low velocity generally do expand but they lose a lot of penetration. I do not want anything that will penetrate less than 12 inches, and I would prefer up to 18 inches. Most 380 hollow points will have difficulty acheiving this goal.
One bullet design that I generally think will do this is the Hornady XTP. It is my hollowpoint of choice in 380. Fiocchi uses the XTP in one line of its 360 ammo, and I actually prefer the Fiocchi loading of this bullet to the Hornady loading because the Fiochhi chronographs a little faster.
If I cant have XTP's in 380, then I am going to stick with FMJ to make sure I get enough penetration.
The most important thing in stopping opponents is getting hits. The real question should be, which are you more accurate with, a 380 auto or a 38 snub revolver. Go with whichever you can get the most hits the fastest.
The second most important thing is that your bullets penetrate deep enough.
I generally shoot a small 380 automatic better than I do a snub nose revolver. There I am generally going to consider myself better armed with a 380 auto for that reason. I also like the fact that an auto is easier to reload, and its easier to carry ammo in a spare mag than a speed loader for a revolver.
I do feel that most 380 hollow points lack adequate penetration. Lightweight bullets designed to expand at low velocity generally do expand but they lose a lot of penetration. I do not want anything that will penetrate less than 12 inches, and I would prefer up to 18 inches. Most 380 hollow points will have difficulty acheiving this goal.
One bullet design that I generally think will do this is the Hornady XTP. It is my hollowpoint of choice in 380. Fiocchi uses the XTP in one line of its 360 ammo, and I actually prefer the Fiocchi loading of this bullet to the Hornady loading because the Fiochhi chronographs a little faster.
If I cant have XTP's in 380, then I am going to stick with FMJ to make sure I get enough penetration.
