pete950
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2008
- Messages
- 1,255
- Reaction score
- 429
I did just what jimmy said useing my Lee factory crimp die with no problems. This was with the same Federal 158 LSWCHP were talking about.
Federal 38g "FBI" Load..Disapointed....
- Thread starter BobsSmith
- Start date
I did just what jimmy said useing my Lee factory crimp die with no problems. This was with the same Federal 158 LSWCHP were talking about.
photoman
Member
Pigirondan
Member
Fact of the matter, since using the Buffalo Bore 150 grain wadcutter*, I load those (the wadcutters) as my first 5 and the 158 grain LSWCHP in my speedloaders. YMMV
*I do this too in my Model 10 and Model 15.
*I do this too in my Model 10 and Model 15.
Finn McCool
Member
I think Buffalo Bore is doing great things with bullets these days. However, I haven't found the 38+P LSWCHP to be particularly accurate in my guns. I've used the same bullets(Rim Rock) in reloads and am happy with the accuracy. I also can't get the velocity they do without 357 pressures.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I've shot quite a bit of the Federal 38G load in several guns. It has been very accurate, with mild or no leading. No bullet pull problems.
These were all in the silver box.
Bullet hardness seems to be between Winchester and the softer Remington. I quit buying Remington ammo, though, due to quality control issues.
The 38G penetrates well, although expansion may be less than some modern 125-135 grain JHP rounds. If you have to shoot a heavy person or a big dog, that penetration is a good thing.
I want to try Buffalo Bore, and their hotter lead HP might be a great load for K-frame .357's. The cost has stopped me so far, but when I get a little ahead, I may try some.
These were all in the silver box.
Bullet hardness seems to be between Winchester and the softer Remington. I quit buying Remington ammo, though, due to quality control issues.
The 38G penetrates well, although expansion may be less than some modern 125-135 grain JHP rounds. If you have to shoot a heavy person or a big dog, that penetration is a good thing.
I want to try Buffalo Bore, and their hotter lead HP might be a great load for K-frame .357's. The cost has stopped me so far, but when I get a little ahead, I may try some.
roaddog28
Member
+1 on this. Also try the Remington FBI round. I think you will find either one to your liking.
Howard
Pigirondan
Member
In my pistolas, the non+P is more accurate than the +P.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
There are 3 factory FBI Loads i know of on the market right now. For accuracy I like the Winchester first followed by Federal and then Remington. Don't get me wrong, none are inaccurate. It's just the Win ammo seems to be a little more accurate than the others in my revolvers.
For expansion the order is the exact opposite, the Remington, Federal then the Winchester IMO.
For expansion the order is the exact opposite, the Remington, Federal then the Winchester IMO.
scattershot
Member
After reading this thrread, I checked mine. I have a box of the Federal white box FBI load, and it is not crimped. The older silver box I have is crimped, and it seeems to have some sort of a sealer at the mouth of the case. Thanks for bringing this up.
Hurryin' Hoosier
US Veteran
I shot one box of the Remington .38 special +P SWCHPs and thought I was shooting a black powder musket. It was at an indoor range, and I was sure glad that they had a good ventilation system!
Think I'll stick with the Buffalo Bore non-+P Chicago loads.
Think I'll stick with the Buffalo Bore non-+P Chicago loads.
Sonny Crocket
US Veteran
I shot some of my 38G this afternoon in my 642-1. I shot five then opened the cylinder to check the fifth round. Uh yeah, it needs a crimp. Tell me what you think? 
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
How were you able to open the cylinder with that round in the revolver?
Sonny Crocket
US Veteran
It barely cleared it, may have rubbed a little bit. I didn't try, but I'm sure a small tug and that bullet would come out like a loose baby tooth. I've emailed a contact at Federal and sent them the pic. Hopefully they'll replace the ammo for me.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Please keep us updated on how Federal handles this. As we all know mistakes can happen to the best company, it's how they handle it that really counts.
Sonny Crocket
US Veteran
Already heard back from an ATK LEO rep, he is sending me a 50rd. box of 135gr.+P GD. He recommended it after telling me how the LHP doesn't expand out of a 2" barrel. I wasn't going to argue at that.
Also said he forwarded my email to the QC guys at the plant but they are shut down for the holidays so I won't hear from them for a couple weeks.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Good for you and them. That's the kind of response I would expect from a company that cares about keeping customers. I wonder what the factory QC guys are going to say?
Definitely looks like a QC issue; the factory missed the crimping step. Once in a while you do get poor quality ammo intended for self-defense. I have seen damaged cases and primers seated upside down in otherwise what should have been top quality ammo. When I was on ERT we shot a lot of Federal .308 168 gr. Match BTHP in our precision rifles, as it produced the best accuracy overall; however, there were some QC issues discovered, luckily, during training only. We did chamber and inspect every round that we carried in our go-bags.
As for the perpetration with the FBI load in 2 inch barrels, I think the rep. might have a point. In my 637 I carry the 135 gr. GD SB +P load. I remember the old time detectives that still were "grandfathered" to carry their 2 inch .38 revolvers on duty carried 148 gr. WC's because of perpetration issues.
Hope Federal makes good on your ammo, but if not, you might want to run them through a Lee FCD if you or someone you know has one.
Regards,
As for the perpetration with the FBI load in 2 inch barrels, I think the rep. might have a point. In my 637 I carry the 135 gr. GD SB +P load. I remember the old time detectives that still were "grandfathered" to carry their 2 inch .38 revolvers on duty carried 148 gr. WC's because of perpetration issues.
Hope Federal makes good on your ammo, but if not, you might want to run them through a Lee FCD if you or someone you know has one.
Regards,
