.38 Special Red Dot Loads - Update

[Kinman]

From memory I'm recalling that back in the mid 70's while I was shooting with Fairchild AFB's security guys they used a load in their service pistols that was 3.5gr of Red Dot with a 158grn hollow based wad cutter. They showed me that if I wanted to make a real "manstopper" out of that load just reverse the loading of the bullet so that the hollow base is pointed out, sure looked wicked enough. It was a very accurate load in a 6" Colt Trooper.

 

[crsides]

From memory I'm recalling that back in the mid 70's while I was shooting with Fairchild AFB's security guys they used a load in their service pistols that was 3.5gr of Red Dot with a 158grn hollow based wad cutter. They showed me that if I wanted to make a real "manstopper" out of that load just reverse the loading of the bullet so that the hollow base is pointed out, sure looked wicked enough. It was a very accurate load in a 6" Colt Trooper.

The downside to this man stopper load - that I used to load and carry - is that penetration tests of various 38 spl loads showed that heavy clothing ( leather jacket etc) could clog the hollow point, slowing the bullet down to the point of losing the effectiveness of the round. I don't know where these tests were reported, but I do remember reading this. Hey it was on the net. Something to think about.

Charlie

 

[Nevada Ed]

oldie but goodie on 38 special loads............
maybe for ..... "the keeper page" ?

148 HBwc loaded backwards near the bottom of the article.



Loads for Short-Barrel Handguns