Gents,

Help me satisfy my curiousity. I recently found this box in the bottom of one of my workbench drawers (trying to clean-up/organize). Had 50 empty nickle cases in it.

Anyhow, what is the story on these, 200 grains seems mighty heavy for a 38 Special. Can someone give me some info (use, particulars etc).

I'm mostly curious. Also could someone recreate this round using Unique powder (thats what I have on hand)? And lastly is there anything to be gained from trying to do so?

Thanks for any info

those were markted for police in the 60s and early 70s, it is a very heavy bullet and slow it won't penetrate well. i load a 173 grain keith bullet that i cast and i like it. a collector will want those cartridges i have not seen any in a log time.

This thread may be of interest:

Hvy. bullet .38 Spec. loads?

It was Erich, thank you. Interesting stuff.

IIRC, the 200 grain bullet was introduce for 38 spl sometime in the 1920's. It was considered more effective than conventional round-nosed bullets because it tumbled on impact causing more damage to an unamored assailant. This was before the hollow point.

Fired some years ago in a snubnose S&W a friend had. Recoil was sharp, and the bullet hit the stump with a decided "smack!" but didn't penetrate much.
As I recall, there was an article about this very load years ago. Velocity from a 2" snubby was not quite up to 600 fps. Very slow.
When we fired it, the sun was setting behind us and you could see a gray streak to the stump. Sheesh ... you could almost fire it, walk alongside, and scratch your initials in the side of that big, slow bullet!

You will need a Chrono to check if you are duplicating the velocity of the old 200gr ammo.
If you want to give it a try there's a good reason to do so. I have loaded some strange stuff just to give it a try and that ammo isn't all that strange. Just be sure you don't produce a squib load and then shoot another round. I'm sure you know how bad that would be...

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Well, for me, I like the smack or thump of a big ole bullet.

Nothing wrong with wanting to try them 200 gr bullets. Check around for 38-44 loads and shoot them out of a 357 mag.