Will I get good expansion pushing a 125 xtp out of a 38 special at 1000 fps out of a 4 inch 686?

There are two different 125gr Hornady XTP's, a FP/XTP and a HP/XTP. Hornady claims the FP/XTP is for 1200 fps to 1700 fps and the HP/XTP is for 800 fps to 1600 fps. I would say the 125gr HP/XTP should work at 1000 fps. I havent tried any expansion tests on these bullets the info is from Hornady.

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Stay safe people!

Give them a call. They are very helpful and you will get a kick out of their phone routing answer message. The XTP of any flavor is a great bullet.

If you have not purchased the bullets, you may also want to consider the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel (not that 4" is short)
Just that they were designed for snubs and have a bigger hollow point which will open at slower speeds. (so they claim)

I use the factory loads in my J frame 38, 442.

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Still Running Against the Wind

You'll likely get ZERO expansion out of an XTP bullet in 38 special. It's within the velocity range Hornady says is ok, but I wouldn't bet my life on it. XTP bullets are too hard, Hornady has shifted to the FTX bullet in their critical defense line for self-defense situations.

Go for Gold Dots.

I've always considered an XTP bullet good for hunting more than SD. It's a tough bullet so it is more of a controlled expansion bullet IMO. There are better choices out there for velocities ~800 fps but at 1000 fps you should have no expansion problems.

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SWCA #3437

I guess I glazed over the 38 special part and just saw 686.

In the 357 Mag you will get expansion but it will be going a bit faster.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I like XTP bullets for certain hunting applications when pushed hard in full power magnum handloads.

I would personally never use an XTP hollow point as a primary self-defense load against 2-legged attackers.

I would be surprised if you got reliable expansion at 1000fps. I think there are several way better options out there if thats the velocity you're wanting to stay at.

The 1K fps muzzle velocity has usually been the bench mark for reliable expansion. Under 1K and bullet expansion is more unreliable. The XTP HP's have a rather shallow cavity and that inhibits the expansion somewhat. Testing a few in gel, water or wet pack from the .38 spl for expansion is the only real way to tell.

You would be more likely to get better expansion using a conventional design JHP from Remington, Nosler or Sierra at 1,000 fps than a Hornady. Other good bullets for the .38 spl are Remington Golden Sabers and Speer Gold Dots.

I load my 125gr .38 spl +P's using 6.0grs of Unique that produces velocities around 1,050 to 1,080 fps from a 4" revolver depending upon bullet and gun.