Where is the FBI load?

[JayFramer]

Hello everyone!

I've had a heck of a time finding a box or two of any 158 grain .38 special +P Lead Semi-Wad Cutter Hollow Point (LSWCHP) ammo, otherwise known as the "FBI load". I was planning on getting some for my Model 64 police trade in that's coming to me from J&G Sales.

I just have searched EVERYWHERE, Gun Broker, Ammoseek.com, Arms List, Gun Auction... for whatever reason I just CANNOT find this load for sale either commercially or in private transactions.

I know Remington still has this load in there lineup, marketed under there "HTP" line. Here it is at Sportsman's Guide dot com, but it's out of stock w/ no backorder like every other place on the internet:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...terminal-performance-ammo-50-rounds?a=1500063

I understand this was a popular defense round in .38 special revolvers, and gave good performance out of both snubs and service revolvers. So what gives? It appears that it has all but disappeared on this planet and for the life of me I don't know why, so if anyone can help me in finding some that would be TREMENDOUSLY appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[dpast32]

Buffalo Bore has it in both +P & Non +P velocity versions. I use the +P for my steel frame .38's, & the standard velocity loading in my alloy framed revolvers. Yes, they are expensive. You have to decide for yourself if they are worth the cost.

dpast32

 

[Hapworth]

Buffalo Bore has it in both +P & Non +P velocity versions. I use the +P for my steel frame .38's, & the standard velocity loading in my alloy framed revolvers. Yes, they are expensive. You have to decide for yourself if they are worth the cost.

dpast32

BB's standard power more accurately replicates the old FBI load; the heavy +P is closer to low power .357.

 

[shouldazagged]

The real Remington FBI load (the best version, according to a number of experts) got the job done very successfully for decades. One member here had to use it twice in his law enforcement career, and it saved his life.

Unfortunately, people who have chronographed the new HTP rendition find it significantly slower.

The Buffalo Bore standard pressure load clocks at the same velocity as the old Remington stuff and has the advantage of a gas check and lower flash. It's in my carry J-frame and my K-frame house gun. Pricier, yes, but I feel more comfortable with it.

I have a few rounds of the good older Remington ammo in reserve. I won't be buying the HTP version.

 

[JayFramer]

The real Remington FBI load (the best version, according to a number of experts) got the job done very successfully for decades. One member here had to use it twice in his law enforcement career, and it saved his life.

Unfortunately, people who have chronographed the new HTP rendition find it significantly slower.

The Buffalo Bore standard pressure load clocks at the same velocity as the old Remington stuff and has the advantage of a gas check and lower flash. It's in my carry J-frame and my K-frame house gun. Pricier, yes, but I feel more comfortable with it.

I have a few rounds of the good older Remington ammo in reserve. I won't be buying the HTP version.

Yeah I remember reading how someone chrono'd the new HTP FBI load and yeah it was quite a bit slower. Not cool, probably Remington pinching the wrong pennies or something.

 

[CoMF]

Yeah I remember reading how someone chrono'd the new HTP FBI load and yeah it was quite a bit slower. Not cool, probably Remington pinching the wrong pennies or something.

Anecdotal sources state the alloy seems to be harder also, which is another point in the "minus" column. I'd still recommend it for 3" or longer barrels, and even short snub barrels (albeit grudgingly).

 

[JohnHancock]

Although a little pricey, Buffalo Bore +p FBIs are hard to beat! You might also try Georgia Arms if you can find them at a gun show in your area. Their site currently has the FBI +p listed out of stock, but they usually have everything at the shows.

 

[Hapworth]

I'm doubtful about Remington's HTP versions of the FBI load, especially after chief38 posted his chrono results. But any chance they've changed the construction somehow to maintain quality penetration and expansion at lower velocities? I've looked for gel tests with the new stuff to no avail. Anybody else?

 

[Pigirondan]

I use the Buffalo Bore in my K-frames, both standard and +P, however one little wrinkle I've been trying lately in my J-frames is the Atomic Ammunition 148 grain reversed hollow body wadcutter. It is advertised as being +P. IMO, the recoil was okay. But, the big point, it is very accurate from 12 yards in. YMMV (Previously, I was using the Buffalo Bore 150 grain wadcutter in the J-frames.)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm doubtful about Remington's HTP versions of the FBI load, especially after chief38 posted his chrono results. But any chance they've changed the construction somehow to maintain quality penetration and expansion at lower velocities? I've looked for gel tests with the new stuff to no avail. Anybody else?

Remington didn't change anything with their FBI Load. They came out with a new line of ammo called HTP for marketing purposes and moved some of their older products into the line. The only thing they changed was the box and the price. (and added 2 letters to the part number)

*EDIT*
Midway has it on backorder but they claim it's overdue. Put your email address in their notification system and they will let you know when it comes in. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/59...d-hollow-point-box-of-50?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[Jessie]

For a reloader, what replicates the FBI load, with say Unique or similar powder? I have a box of bullets already and would like to make some up.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

ammunitiontogo had some a while back

 

[Pigirondan]

For a reloader, what replicates the FBI load, with say Unique or similar powder? I have a box of bullets already and would like to make some up.

With Unique start with 5.0 grains (or less) and see how it goes. I've found 5.1 grains to be best in my mohaska's. YMMV

 

[JayFramer]

Remington didn't change anything with their FBI Load. They came out with a new line of ammo called HTP for marketing purposes and moved some of their older products into the line. The only thing they changed was the box and the price. (and added 2 letters to the part number)

*EDIT*
Midway has it on backorder but they claim it's overdue. Put your email address in their notification system and they will let you know when it comes in. Remington High Terminal Performance Ammo 38 Special +P 158 Grain Lead

Not so. Someone on this forum posted chronograph results and the new HTP load was something like 100 FPS slower than the old "FBI" Remington load. When velocities are only cruising around the 750-950 FPS range for these loads out of snub bbls, you better believe that much velocity loss can make a difference, sometime dramatically in the fact that the bullet overpenetrates/fails to expand etc. etc.

I would love to see and actual IWBA protocol ballistic gelatin test for the new HTP load from both a snub nose and 4" service revolver, but alas!

 

[jeeps]

5grs of Unique with the 158lswc-hp. =FBI load.

 

[Old cop]

I've got some Federal FBI stuff in my carry guns that is about a year old now. Should I be thinking about replacing it? I also have it in all my speed strips and speed loaders.

 

[CoMF]

I've got some Federal FBI stuff in my carry guns that is about a year old now. Should I be thinking about replacing it? I also have it in all my speed strips and speed loaders.

I would. That is, if doing so didn't wipe out your stash. I know it's a hard decision to make when you've only got a limited supply of the real McCoy.

This predicament is part of the reason why I carry the Speer GDSB load now.

 

[bubbajoe45]

I've got some Federal FBI stuff in my carry guns that is about a year old now. Should I be thinking about replacing it? I also have it in all my speed strips and speed loaders.

It's not cottage cheese! I'd personally rather defend myself with old 158 gr. +P than fresh, shiny new 110 gr. anything . . .

 

[jeeps]

At these slow speeds of the 2" barrel heavy is the King to reach vital's. Not 110gr.

 

[JayFramer]

Thanks guys!

So I got two boxes of Remington HTP .38 special +P 158 gr. LSWCHP in the mail the other day. They look pretty good, but the hollow points cavity on some of them is sort of malformed and appears "squished", maybe not the best QC on this new load.

I shot half a box or so at a swinging plate target, and it did seem to knock it around more than the el cheapo 158 gr. standard pressure bulk ammo I was shooting along side it. Pretty scientific, eh?

One day soon I hope to chrono this new HTP load from both my 642-1 1 7/8" bbl and 64-6 4" bbl. But first I need to buy a chronograph!