Federal / American Eagle AE38K 130gr .38 Special

[AJR337]

Federal's website states that the AE38K .38 130gr FMJ ammo generates 980fps from a 4" barrel, which is the same as their 130gr HST ammo.

The HSTs are listed as "+P" but the AE38K does not have the "+P" rating.

I bought a few hundred rounds and wanted to confirm that it's safe to use in older J frames. I reached out to Federal but haven't received a response... anybody familiar with this ammo know if it's loaded hot / considered "+P"?

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my 686 6" a 135 Speer GD does 991 fps and the same load does
851 fps in my J frame snub nose that is rated as a +P loading.

If used in a steel J frame, you should be ok with the ammo preassures
with that 130 gr loading but it is near a full load.

 

[alwslate]

I bought several boxes of Federal 130 gr FMJ ammo several years ago. Still have a few boxes left. My chronograph shows that their factory specs are optimistic. It is not marked +P and I'm sure that it isn't. It will be fine for your older J frame.

 

[mscampbell2734]

It can not generate "+P" pressure if it's not marked +P. The factory is not going to expose themselves to liability of selling overpressure ammo and having guns blow up.

 

[RWJ]

Just Hypothesizing

If the bullets are the same weight, and the OAL of the cartridges is the same, it would seem that perhaps the hollow point bullet may sit deeper in the case; could that be the cause of the pressure change putting the HST into the "+P" range?


Just a thought

 

[Nevada Ed]

If the bullets are the same weight, and the OAL of the cartridges is the same, it would seem that perhaps the hollow point bullet may sit deeper in the case; could that be the cause of the pressure change putting the HST into the "+P" range?


Just a thought

The Federal 130 HST sits a litle deeper in the 38 case than the normal bullet......
well let me refrase that, maybe a lot deeper, since it is barely sticking out above the case rim !!

Yes, there might be a little more pressure with that load !!

 

[STORMINORMAN]

One (the HST) is a jacketed +P wadcutter, the other a FMJ practice round.

Different OAL, for SURE: different powders, most probably!

Cheers!

 

[stansdds]

If it is not marked "+P", then it is standard pressure. No quality ammo manufacturer is going to sell +P ammo if it is marketed as standard pressure. There are too many lawyers out there ready to sue for defective and/or mislabeled/falsely advertised products.