Federal 38 Special 147gr Hydra shok +P+

[f8 crusader]

I got 15 boxes, 750 rounds, of these +P+ ammo and I was wondering how safe it is to shoot it in a K38?, how about an M60? it's a wicked looking round and I shot a few rounds in a (sorry) 357 Python to try them out.
Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Marshal Tom]

It should be fine in both of those guns.

Tom

 

[stiab]

It should be fine in both of those guns.

I agree. There have been several threads with info on that load that you should be able to find with a search. I choro-ed some a couple weeks ago from a 40 year old M60 at a disappointing 802 fps average for 3 rounds (794, 810, 812).

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

I agree. There have been several threads with info on that load that you should be able to find with a search. I choro-ed some a couple weeks ago from a 40 year old M60 at a disappointing 802 fps average for 3 rounds (794, 810, 812).

Wow disappointing to say the least, I get better speed from my handloaded 158gr LSWC .38s at standard pressure, how can this stuff be +P+?

 

[David Sinko]

You could always pull the bullets and substitute a real powder charge. Problem is, the Hydra-Shok is a blow up bullet and more velocity will likely be counterproductive. I never cared much for the Hydra-Shok.

The designation +P+ doesn't mean much in terms of velocity. They could be using too fast a powder which generates excessive pressure much too quickly. There would be +P+ pressure and low velocity, and they wouldn't be lying to you about it.

Dave Sinko

 

[Elmer]

Federal has always been overly conservative in their ratings. The majority of the 147 .38's never exceeded +P pressures, but they were in the upper range, so they labeled them +P+ just in case. My old department expressed concerns about it when they were using that round. Federal sent them lot testing data for several recent lots, they were all in the 19,000's, within +P specs.