I have my .38 loaded with Federal Personal Defense Punch 120 grain. Cabelas in Gonzales had a good bit of it last time I was there. Very accurate and light recoil.
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My standard all around 38 "plinking but would still work on an SD situation" is a 158gr coated cast semi wadcutter with 3.5gr of tighgrouo behind it. Comfortable to shoot, cheap to load, and the hard cast will penetrate whatever if it came down to using these for SD.