.38 FBI load
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watchmanjimg
Member
Around here Remington's version is easily found at Bass Pro Shops. It's regarded as a proven load out of a 2" barrel.
bmcgilvray
Member
I generally load Remington 158 grain +P ammunition in all my .38 Special revolvers used for personal defense. It gives 875 fps from my 2-inch Smith & Wesson Model 10. Winchester's is a little slower at 843 fps.
If you are looking for "something completely different" the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P load clocked 1063 fps from the Model 10. This would yield 397 ft./lbs. of energy.
MV 875 FPS
ME 273 ft./lbs.
ES 61
SD 23
Buffalo Bore +P 158 grain lead SWC-HP
MV 1063 fps
ME 397 ft./lbs.
ES 56
SC 24
If you are looking for "something completely different" the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P load clocked 1063 fps from the Model 10. This would yield 397 ft./lbs. of energy.
MV 875 FPS
ME 273 ft./lbs.
ES 61
SD 23
Buffalo Bore +P 158 grain lead SWC-HP
MV 1063 fps
ME 397 ft./lbs.
ES 56
SC 24
consider Buffalo Bore. this is what I carry
Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.) - 20 Round Box
The new Buffalo Bore Heavy 38 SPL+p ammo will maximize the effectiveness of your 38 SPL revolver. The powders are flash suppressed so as to not hinder your vision should you be required to drop the hammer in low light.
Item 20A/20 is the terrific SOFT lead semi wad cutter hollow cavity bullet, however we've added a gas check to stop the leading that this load typically causes with other manufacturers version of this bullet.
Item 20B/20 uses the low velocity (LV) Jacketed Hollow Point bullet that is designed to expand at as little as 800 fps, so you will get expansion out of very short barrels.
Whether you prefer the very soft semi wadcutter lead bullet, or a very soft JHC, (jacketed hollow cavity) these HVY 38 SPL+p loads will turbo charge your 38 SPL revolver.
The tactical reload: Short (2 to 2.5 inch) barreled revolvers have short ejectors. Those short ejectors typically used on 2 inch to 2.5 inch barreled revolvers are not long enough to fully eject 357 magnum brass. So if you are forced into a situation where you need to reload your weapon under fire, you will find yourself picking your fired/empty 357 brass out of the cylinder one at a time - this is very bad. On the other hand, 38SPL brass is shorter than 357 brass and those short ejectors will often fully eject 38SPL brass. We have experimented a great deal with short barreled revolvers and have found that 38SPL brass normally offers an advantage if you need to reload your "snub nose" revolver, in a hurry.
Check out the below velocities that I fired from my personal revolvers. We believe that real world, stock, "over the counter" guns, give real world results, so we don't advertise velocities that are fired from long test barrels.
These 38SPL+P loads are generating low-end 357 magnum, ballistics. If you have an older or more fragile 38SPL, or if you are recoil sensitive, consider using our HVY Standard Pressure 38SPL ammunition. It is safe to be fired in any 38SPL revolver and it still packs much more punch than ordinary 38SPL ammo.
Item 20A: 158gr., very soft cast, semi wad cutter, (Keith) hollow cavity, with a gas check. This bullet will mushroom violently on impact and will penetrate roughly 14 inches in human flesh. Again, this bullet is gas checked and will not lead your barrel.
S&W mod. 60, 2 inch- 1040 fps (379 ft. lbs.)
S&W mod. 66, 2.5 inch- 1059 fps (393 ft. lbs.)
Ruger SP101, 3 inch- 1143 fps (458 ft. lbs.)
S&W Mt. Gun, 4 inch- 1162 fps (474 ft. lbs.)
Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.) - 20 Round Box
The new Buffalo Bore Heavy 38 SPL+p ammo will maximize the effectiveness of your 38 SPL revolver. The powders are flash suppressed so as to not hinder your vision should you be required to drop the hammer in low light.
Item 20A/20 is the terrific SOFT lead semi wad cutter hollow cavity bullet, however we've added a gas check to stop the leading that this load typically causes with other manufacturers version of this bullet.
Item 20B/20 uses the low velocity (LV) Jacketed Hollow Point bullet that is designed to expand at as little as 800 fps, so you will get expansion out of very short barrels.
Whether you prefer the very soft semi wadcutter lead bullet, or a very soft JHC, (jacketed hollow cavity) these HVY 38 SPL+p loads will turbo charge your 38 SPL revolver.
The tactical reload: Short (2 to 2.5 inch) barreled revolvers have short ejectors. Those short ejectors typically used on 2 inch to 2.5 inch barreled revolvers are not long enough to fully eject 357 magnum brass. So if you are forced into a situation where you need to reload your weapon under fire, you will find yourself picking your fired/empty 357 brass out of the cylinder one at a time - this is very bad. On the other hand, 38SPL brass is shorter than 357 brass and those short ejectors will often fully eject 38SPL brass. We have experimented a great deal with short barreled revolvers and have found that 38SPL brass normally offers an advantage if you need to reload your "snub nose" revolver, in a hurry.
Check out the below velocities that I fired from my personal revolvers. We believe that real world, stock, "over the counter" guns, give real world results, so we don't advertise velocities that are fired from long test barrels.
These 38SPL+P loads are generating low-end 357 magnum, ballistics. If you have an older or more fragile 38SPL, or if you are recoil sensitive, consider using our HVY Standard Pressure 38SPL ammunition. It is safe to be fired in any 38SPL revolver and it still packs much more punch than ordinary 38SPL ammo.
Item 20A: 158gr., very soft cast, semi wad cutter, (Keith) hollow cavity, with a gas check. This bullet will mushroom violently on impact and will penetrate roughly 14 inches in human flesh. Again, this bullet is gas checked and will not lead your barrel.
S&W mod. 60, 2 inch- 1040 fps (379 ft. lbs.)
S&W mod. 66, 2.5 inch- 1059 fps (393 ft. lbs.)
Ruger SP101, 3 inch- 1143 fps (458 ft. lbs.)
S&W Mt. Gun, 4 inch- 1162 fps (474 ft. lbs.)
slowburninsteve
Member
After looking everywhere for the FBI load (158 grain lead, semi wadcutter, hollowpoint, +P) I found that Georgia Arms has it for the most reasonable price, less than $18.00 for 50 rounds!!!!! You can't beat that at Cas Walker's!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve
Steve
Stainz
Member
Remington R38S12 +P 158 gr LSWCHP has a softer lead than the ballistically similar GA Arms reloads or the other big name commercial loads of similar bullets, so it opens more reliably at the from 840-860 fps I've chrono-ed them at in my 1 7/8" 642 & 2" 10. I keep the Remingtons ($33-$35 locally) for snubby carry use - even moonclipped for my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. Practice is with the GA Arms round - which runs from $14.50/50 - $280/1,000 plus s/h. As they get to ~1,000 fps by the time they exit my 6" 66, that harder lead HP will open reliably in softer targets. Both the Remi's from my 642 and the GA Arms from my 6" 66 impressively destroy a 2L pop bottle full of water (Don't do this too close to the targets...).
Stainz
Stainz
Tracer_Bullet
Member
I can usually find the Remington FBI load at Bass Pro.
My concern with the Buffalo Bore +P is whether the soft lead bullets will hold together or fragment at those velocities, or deform and lose velocity/momentum quickly enough that they won't penetrate. I haven't seen any hard data on how the BB +P rounds perform, and I'm no ballistics expert so for now I'm sticking with the proven Remington load, the short barrel Gold Dots, and the standard pressure BB.
My concern with the Buffalo Bore +P is whether the soft lead bullets will hold together or fragment at those velocities, or deform and lose velocity/momentum quickly enough that they won't penetrate. I haven't seen any hard data on how the BB +P rounds perform, and I'm no ballistics expert so for now I'm sticking with the proven Remington load, the short barrel Gold Dots, and the standard pressure BB.
senecaap
Member
roaddog28
Member
For me its Buffalo Bore 38+P. That is my self defense round in my model 10 and all my K frame magnums.
Howard
Howard
parabarbarian
Member
How is the Georgia Arms 38 +P for leading? I know the Buffalo Bore +P has a gas check to protect the bore but it's made from a low antimony lead and is not far from "dead soft". I'm seriously considering the BB round for defense and I'd like a ballistically similar round for practice.
I agree with the others about Buffalo Bore. I use it in all my carry J frames. You get to almost .357 power without the blast, recoil and noise (although they are snappy from an airweight). Believe me, you will not notice recoil if you are ever in a fight for your life.
snowman.45
Member
I shot the Buffalo Bore 158 gr. +P LSWC-HP today to compare against another manufacturer. Firing into ballistic gelatin at 7 yds., the results were amazing. The round completely penetrated to the 12" block of gelatin, but the wound cavity was huge. I was very impressed.
GyMac
US Veteran
The BB 158 grain loads sound great, but I wonder if the bullets are soft enough to open up like the Remington load is supposed to. Does anyone know? I carry the Remington load, but would like to have another option.
Chris
I normally carry the Remington load. The Federal and Winchester versions use a bit harder lead and are probably less likely to expand reliably form a short barrel, but they would work fine in my carry guns.
The Georgia Arms ammo also uses a bit harder lead, and the Roze Distribution version uses swaged lead.
The Buffalo Bore offerings look pretty good to me.
The Georgia Arms ammo also uses a bit harder lead, and the Roze Distribution version uses swaged lead.
The Buffalo Bore offerings look pretty good to me.
Landric
Member
Buffalo Bore uses Rim Rock bullets in their 158 grain SWCHP-GC loads. With a BHN of 5, I don't think expansion is going to be an issue.
.38spc .357mag 158 gr. SWC-HP per 100 .38/.357 Cal. 158 gr. SWC-HP per 100 [SWC-HP] - $18.50 : Rim Rock Bullets, Premium Cast Lead Bullets
.38spc .357mag 158 gr. SWC-HP per 100 .38/.357 Cal. 158 gr. SWC-HP per 100 [SWC-HP] - $18.50 : Rim Rock Bullets, Premium Cast Lead Bullets
Classic29
Member
Choice of carry load for my M-60 is the Remington version.
As others have already stated it's a good one.
As others have already stated it's a good one.
AKsRule
Member
Here's an article about it......
the FBI Load
Basically any 158gr expanding bullet loaded to +P
A 2" doesn't give much time to burn powder so I suggest the zippiest
load you can find.
Buffalo Bore Ammo has a nice version.
Heavy 38 Special + P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
Sounds like BB and Remington are the top picks here. I assume BB is the hottest offering. For those of you who have shot all of them, how does recoil compare between the BB and the GA Arms? I'm not overly recoil sensitive, but I was thinking of placing an order with GA Arms this week since they're coming to the local gun show next weekend. They're +p stuff looks like a great deal for practice ammo. I haven't shot this load from BB, so I was wondering if they're anywhere close to one another.
