Federal (38G) 38 Spl +P LSWCHP new

38SPL HV · Jan 9, 2020

Purchased a few boxes of Federal “FBI” load in the white box last week which came today. I was anticipating to run them through my Lee FCD since previous lots which I purchased had no crimp.

Good news, these new 38(G) loadings have a crimp, not a significant roll crimp but a firm crimp nonetheless. I will try them in my Airweight j frame to see if there is any bullet creep. I’m sure they’ll be fine in the heavier SP-101, S&W K frames, GP100.

The quality of these Federal rounds look excellent. No lead stains on the cases as the Winchester versions and OAL looks just fine.

stansdds · Jan 10, 2020

How about checking the lot numbers on your new 38G ammo against the lot numbers on the ammo that lacked a roll crimp. I'd be interested to see if this is a case of one lot getting out without being crimped or if perhaps newer ammo is not being roll crimped.

Erocksmash · Jan 10, 2020

I'm very Interested in this spfic round... in some opinions how would you compare to the .38 +p speer gold dot?

With primary use as home defense...

stansdds · Jan 10, 2020

The Federal 38G load is a 158 grain, soft, swaged lead hollow point bullet +P load, that is advertised as 900 fps from a 4 inch barrel.

luckygunner.com tested this ammo and found it gave just shy of 800 fps from a 2 inch barrel revolver and the bullets did not expand in the gel. From a 4 inch barrel revolver it gave just a bit over 900 fps and there was minimal expansion of the bullets. This is old technology ammo.

From luckygunner.com tests:

Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P:
2 inch barrel=824 fps and slight to moderate bullet expansion.
4 inch barrel=901 fps and slight to good bullet expansion.

38SPL HV · Jan 10, 2020

“Old technology” ammo...makes me grin. There was a great thread last month about the “FBI” load (this round is one of them) and associated gelatin testing...you’ll enjoy reading it.

rockquarry · Jan 10, 2020

stansdds said:
The Federal 38G load is a 158 grain, soft, swaged lead hollow point bullet +P load, that is advertised as 900 fps from a 4 inch barrel.

luckygunner.com tested this ammo and found it gave just shy of 800 fps from a 2 inch barrel revolver and the bullets did not expand in the gel. From a 4 inch barrel revolver it gave just a bit over 900 fps and there was minimal expansion of the bullets. This is old technology ammo.

From luckygunner.com tests:

Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P:
2 inch barrel=824 fps and slight to moderate bullet expansion.
4 inch barrel=901 fps and slight to good bullet expansion.

"Old technology" is not synonymous with inferior technology. 800 fps from a snub nose gun is very good with a heavy bullet. It's not a feeble round and it will likely shoot very close to point of aim. Expansion is seldom guaranteed in any snub nose gun unless you're shooting the lightest of bullets and then you may have a problem with penetration and bullets holding together.

Federal (38G) 38 Spl +P LSWCHP new

38SPL HV

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