Interesting article testing 38 duty loads from the 70s.
Little test info/articles exists on the 200gr 38 as well as the 148
wadcutter- well here it is.

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I talked to Dr. Vincent DiMaio about those tests, also to Allan Jones, then with that lab, before he went to CCI/Speer.

Very interesting info. You really need to read this if you use a .38 Special! I was shocked when Dr. D. told me how little energy the lead RN bullet actually transmitted, although I knew that it was deficient.


As a sidelight, I proposed soon thereafter that I write a discussion of hollowpoint police ammo, in opposition to some views then expressed by a black "community leader". The Dallas Morning News was enthusiastic, until their editor read my paper. He refused the article, saying that I had sewed up the case for use of HP ammo too well. What he wanted was not facts, but controversy and emotion, to sell newspapers! I've never respected the news business since.


That impression was only confirmed when a reporter whom I knew then was told by a major city magazine to write an expose of witches for their Halloween issue. What he learned didn't suit their stereotype, so he sold the story elsewhere. (He said that they wanted him to fake his interviews and other research to fit their desires.)

T-Star

In his interview on proarms podcast, Keith Jones stated that when his agency switched to more effective ammo (Federal .357 125 gr. JHPs from .38s), they fired less shots per gunfight and more of the shootees actually survived to be stood in front of a judge.

Interesting info on an interesting subject. Thanks for posting it!!