Originally Posted by Wise_A

(1) You're reading marketing. If anything, the "special formulation" is probably a flash suppressant. Everybody decided "short barrel formulation" was the new hotness to stick on a box. Gotta do something to justify "defensive ammo" pricing.

(2) Just focus on duplicating the PF. Use either a 125-gr RN or a 158 LSWC.

(3) If you're worried about price, why are you selecting a defensive round that costs $1/round from the biggest mainstream hype-masters in the ammo business? Speer Gold Dot has been around much longer, with far more actual field use, and it costs less than half what the HST goes for.

(4) Powder-wise, nothing special--stuff that's on the slower side for .38 Spl. Universal, Unique, Power Pistol, HS6.