Hornady Custom 140-grain .38 XTP

[TheGreatGonzo]

Hornady Custom 140-grain .38 XTP

Does anybody have any experience with this round? I recently came into a box of it and the on-package specs claim 900FPS. I'm curious about how it would perform from a S&W 442. Any input would be appreciated.
Gonzo

 

[flop-shank]

Hornady XTPs tend to overpenetrate and I would especially expect that load to do so from a snub. If I were looking for ammo to stoke my snubby with that load would not even be on my list of loads to try. All that said, do I think that it would be bad ammo? No. It will work fine if properly placed, But I would suggest Corbon 110 gr. DPX, Speer 135 gr. Short Barrel, or Remington/Buffalo Bore's 158 gr. LSWCHP. There you have three reknowned loads in three different weights. Not only will I guess that those loads will shoot decent groups (only a guess, every gun is different), but with three different weights, one of them will likely shoot right to point of aim.

A search should give you access to an endless array of .38 +P ammo threads and a wealth of info from others on this forum.

 

[photoman]

From all that I've read, it would be nothing better than a round nose bullet. Very little, if any, expansion at .38 Special velocities. Especially out of a 2" barrel.

 

[Texas Star]

Agreed. But the .357 version of the Hornady might be good for bears or alligators, if those might molest you.

Too much penetration for humans may be just what's needed for other animals.

T-Star

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

Corbon 110 gr. DPX, Speer 135 gr. Short Barrel

These are the 2 rounds I keep stocked and I normally keep my j-frame loaded with the Speer. I just happened into a box of the 140-grain for free and thought somebody might have a little personal experience with it.
Gonzo

 

[flop-shank]

Just save the stuff. I never burn up premium ammo as range ammo. It just costs too much and can be saved for future reference and testing.