I lucked out on the last 5 boxes the ammo guy had at a local show this weekend.
This seems to be the happy medium for penetration and expansion from a 2"36.

__________________
Anchors

I lucked out on the last 5 boxes the ammo guy had at a local show this weekend.
This seems to be the happy medium for penetration and expansion from a 2"36.

__________________
Anchors

Have you tested it to see if it will expand?
I had a box a while back that I put through a
4" S&W and did extensive testing with it.
Firing into a 40 gal barrel of water, I got no
expansion. XTPs dont seem to expand at less than 1000 fps. I will never buy this load ever again but thats just me.

In general, I don't like Hornady ammo. Like BreakerDan said, I'd test the stuff.

Here's one I tested in water jugs last week. Went into the 6th water jug without any expansion. Shot from a 1 7/8" barrelled 638. I was wondering if I fired it from a 4" barrel if it would go fast enough to expand, but it sounds like it won't. Sorry...B

The XTP is an old technology bullet designed for hunting. A very accurate bullet with delayed expansion requiring higher velocities.

I don't like them for self defense.

__________________
Centennial Every Day

Hi,i was just looking in and saw what you guys are saying about 125xtp,s. and i am concerned
now because last week i bought a box of 125xtp.s
made by fiocchi.for my model 60 J. should i just shoot them off at the range and go back to my winchester JHP,s.i also own an M&P40 with Crimson
trace laser.but i like my J cause she hides anywhere so i tend to carry here more.
thanks much chris colon
U>S>Army1966-69/marine corp1970-71/NG9YRs

What sort of damage did it do to the jugs? How do other JHP loads perform in such tests, if you've done any?

Thanks,

T-Star

I read a test in Handguns magizine called a Pocket Full of Dynamite where ballistic gelatin was used and the XTP was concidered a good happy medium for penetration and expansion,it expanded better than a couple ot the +P rounds.
The author used his own 2" pistol and had a friend in the Gelatin.
They expanded to .468 in bare gelatin and .429 in clothed,penetration was 113.8 at 862 FPS and 15.3 at 853 FPS.
That's what I'm going by,since I can't get anyone to let me shoot them (just kidding)

__________________
Anchors

Sorry, I forgot to put business after gelatin in my post above. Sorry

__________________
Anchors

BreakerDan:
If you run into a bad guy brandishing 40 gallon barrels of water, I would run the other way.
Ed

Anchors
thanks for the info,i,ve had guns for years but never had the proper knowledge or info on expansion or penetration of bullets.my only concern has always been to not have too much piercing power behind a bullet that would hurt an innocent person in the back ground.cause i live in the caribbean where the thickest layer of clothing is t shirt thick.so i need to know i won,t go completely through someone.that,s why i love the J m60. thanks much
chris colon
NRA Member

Chris, if you'll never encounter heavy clothing them I would try Speer Short Barrel .38 +P. That load should suit your needs well, provided you and the gun shoot them well together. Remington's FBI load and Corbon 110 gr. DPX would be great too. If you are looking for something a little less expensive, try Remington 125 gr. SJHPs. I could use any of the above loads with complete confidence. I don't have an opinion regarding those Hornadys.

T,

It went into the 6th water jug - very deep penetration with zero expansion. I suspect if you ever shot a bad guy with this it would go all the way through unless it hit a significant bone. I have never tested any other non-plus-P rounds in .38 special. I was doing this test for my nephew and a friend's dad who were looking for a .38 special non-plus-P round for some older guns. Right now I don't know what to tell them. I've done several tests in the +P ammo, and they typically do much, much better. B

thanks for the good advise Flop-Shank,this same week i,ll get those new rounds.KEEP SAFE AND SHOOT STRAIGHT.
Chris

Hi bassoneer,

What weight is that XTP in your photo? It looks too long to be a 125 gr, but it could just be the angle.

Thanks.

Yes, the angle makes it look bigger. It is the 125. Later, B

Thanks smith17, I needed a good laugh. Reminded me of a fellow who was bragging up a load that really blew up water jugs. I remarked that if he was ever attacked by a water jug he was all set! He was not amused. For a short barrel .38 I prefer the old Treasury load.

__________________
Stay safe people!

There's an old saying about cars, and now apparently S/D bullets too?
"Beware anything that has lot's of numbers and letters in it's name or title".