Most of the loads we see tested on youtube and such are for shorter barreled .38's. I even one time contacted Speer to find out if the Gold Dot +p .38 load was good for a 6" barrel and they said no. That it was designed for barrels of 2".

So I've never figured it out. Although I do know Stephen Camp encouraged the use of the 158 grain +p SWC. I think he liked the remington one.

But I wonder if there others. Anybody know any gel tests with a longer barrel on Youtube?

I THINK, the corbon 110 DPX load is not barrel dependent. Actually now that I think of it, I think I did contact them for that... But I can't remember. LOL. Maybe I'll go back and look.

What say you guys that have a 6" barrel as a bedside gun?

For a .38 Special out of a 6", I'd go with a 125 Gr. SJHP +p.

It does seem that most of the .38 Special loads are desinged around for snubnose revolvers. Speer used to make the Gold Dot in a 125 grain + P load, but it has been discontinued - I was told this was due to lack of sales.

Since most hollow points perform better at high velocites, I figure that any .38 that performs well from a 4" barrel would do even better from a 6" barrel. The FBI load would be a good choice, as well as the various 125 grain + P loads. I always liked the Winchester Silvertip.

I would use what I have on hand for a 6”. I have some old 129gr. Hydro-shock, 125gr. Corbin JHP. Remington 158gr. LHP. Winchester 147gr. HP. All are +P.

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Two Handguns every day

A 6" .38 would make for a fine defense gun. Any expanding bullet load (like the standard, not Short Barrel Gold Dot) will probably be fine and more likely to open up with the higher velocity generated.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I haven't looked at the ballistics but I think a 6" barrel would probably allow enough velocity to expand even some of the heavier hollow points.
If you want effective "opening" velocity from a snubby you pretty much have to stick with the lighter ones.

I agree with the poster above - FBI load.

In a 6” gun, I’d think the old FBI load of a 158-gr+P SWCLHP would be just the ticket

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Some Might Say.

I am a big fan of the 158gr lswchp +p in any bbl length. Penetrates deep & in 6" bbl, reliably expands.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

It is almost impossible to be wrong with a standard velocity or +P SWC of 158-173 grains (I think that is the range of the typical weights). Don't get wrapped around the axle about expansion - I would worry more about placement (the most important issue), ability to shoot it well and fast, and adequate penetration under all circumstances. As a rule, that's what I carry in my 4" M66, and would load in my 6" K38 if for some reason I was going to use it for serious purposes.

Remember that very little of the last 30+ years of ammo R&D was put into typical revolver calibers except for the rounds for BUGs, as others have noted. My recollection is that the NYPD load (135 grain Gold Dot +P, IIRC) was developed to work in 2-4" revolvers, so it would be a decent choice if you are really determined to have a hollow point. While the old FBI load was cutting edge for its day, and Fackler approved of it (at least compared to most other loads), we are 30+ years past that time and there is better knowledge and better ammo available. I some material from Doc Roberts (Fackler's successor) discussing that issue.

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NHI, 10-8.

I'll just repeat myself, Speer does not recommend using the 135 grain .38 +p in longer barrels. It was designed for 2" barrels. That's what they told me.


"If I were to buy a speer product to use in my 16" model 19 for either home defense or hunting, which load would be best? Just the standard 135 grain gold dot +p? Taking this as NOT a “16 inch” barrel, rather a 6”. Part # 23920 the 357 Mag 125 gr would be the home defense load I’d choose. Or do you guys make a standard pressure .38 135 grain load still? The 135 gr bullets are in Short Barrel products. I thought I saw it on a website, but I wasn't sure if I it was a typo or not. Would that be better for a 6" barreled gun? Not made, no.

Also, if there is such a standard pressure round, how do they perform in a 2" gun? The bullet is made to perform at the lower velocity, that bullet is not loaded at standard pressure.

Coy

> From: [email protected]"





My only issue about the FBI load is I just don't want to be cleaning lead out of the barrel.