Pigirondan
Member
Since I usually use wadcutters in my J-frames, this HST in .38 Special will have to be tested.
Federal .38 Special +P HST
- Thread starter BoogersXDm
- Start date
So no one has found a box yet..................?
Bummer.
We need pictures !!!!!
Bummer.
We need pictures !!!!!
Now everyone recall a non-LEO gunfight where someone had to reload a J-frame or any other snubbie. Not relevant to be frank. That's merely picking fly **** out of pepper. Your average Ralph CCW isn't going to engage in a "toe to toe" shootout with the Sinaloa Cartel at the local Piggly Wiggly.
It's a brilliant idea to prevent bullet "jump" in ultra lightweight revolvers and I for one cannot wait to see denim/gel test results. I think it's going to be a winner.
The "Great Ammo Panic" has passed and manufs. can now concentrate on advancing technology via innovative moves such as this. Let's see how this one pans out & applaud Federal for at least not writing the .38 Spcl. off.
It's a brilliant idea to prevent bullet "jump" in ultra lightweight revolvers and I for one cannot wait to see denim/gel test results. I think it's going to be a winner.
The "Great Ammo Panic" has passed and manufs. can now concentrate on advancing technology via innovative moves such as this. Let's see how this one pans out & applaud Federal for at least not writing the .38 Spcl. off.
ContinentalOp
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True, but if I am forced to defend myself, I don't want to be waiting around for the police with an empty gun. 911 response times in my town average 9 minutes. While the need to perform a lightning fast reload in the middle of a gunfight is practically nil, I'd still rather be able to reload my gun as quickly and fumble-free as possible.
F224
Member
I have just had a case of this ammo delivered. It will be the end of the week before I can chronograph the stuff in my 2" & 3" 38's. I did test fire it, and it's shooting to point of aim in both barrel lengths in my M337, M642 & 3" Colt at 15 yards.
Again, you're panicking about something that in all reality will never happen. It's like a Baptist learning Latin "just in case" they are elected Pope. To be frank, there should be little problem loading these correctly from Speed Strips as no one smart uses crappy HKS loaders anyway.
ContinentalOp
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Thank you for sharing. Have a nice day.
pete950
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Where did you find this, and how much did a case cost?
F224
Member
Midway-USA, back ordered sometime ago and it just showed up recently. About $200 for 200/ rounds.
That's not bad for SD ammo. I would be very interested to read your conclusions and thoughts about this ammo. I read somewhere that all the extra space afforded by the originally black-powder case causes inconsistent powder burn in modern ammo. And the orientation of the powder charge can be greatly affected by position: ie. firing downward, etc. Thus the reasoning behind the wadcutter-like setback.
Whatever the outcome, all of this experimentation bodes well for the continued viability of the snubby .38 as a self-defense option.
Looking forward to the chrono info!!
Me too.....................
If no gel...
or wet pack....
at least a water melon test !!
or wet pack....
at least a water melon test !!
F224
Member
Well I had a chance this morning to chronograph this ammo. At about a buck a round, I only shot five through each of three guns. Not truly scientific with such a small sample, but it appears to be right on for factory claims regarding consistency of velocity, but in my 2" & 3" guns the velocity is well below the factory published number of 890 fps. I do not see on Federals website what barrel length or type they are using for their numbers.
2" S&W M337:
High 800 fps
Low 799 fps
Yes, a total for five shots of 1 fps variance.
3" Custom Colt Agent:
High 859 fps
Low 855 fps
Extreme spread of 4 fps.
4" S&W M67:
High 889 fps
Low 885 fps
Extreme spread of 4 fps.
Just for a control group, I then fired five Federal 148gr HBWC Gold Metal Match through the M67 for an average velocity of 753 fps and an extreme spread of 26 fps and a standard deviation of 10 fps. This M67 will shoot into 3.5" at 50 yards with the FGMM ammo off of sandbags.
Ammo lot # R12P1394144 Federal Premium P38HST1S 130gr HSP JHP 130gr
Last edited:
AZretired
Member
Sounds like it's very consistent. I just ordered 3 boxes from Midway but they're on back order, so it may be awhile. I'll probably use it for my primary load with Gold Dots for reloads in speed strips.
Looks to be loaded to about the same velocity as my favorite reload a 148 gr BBWC using Unique to push it 850 fps in a 4" barrel. Very accurate and easy to control.
Looks to be loaded to about the same velocity as my favorite reload a 148 gr BBWC using Unique to push it 850 fps in a 4" barrel. Very accurate and easy to control.
38SPL HV
Member
I prefer good ole Rem/Win/Fed 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP loads to any of the "boutique" 38 Spl +P loads - but that's only me. However, Hornady 38 Spl loads using their XTP bullets are pretty darn nice and accurate.
