Hornady 158gr JHP .38 spl XTRA

[Texan]

Howdy,

Just picked up a box of Hornady 158gr JHP .38 spl XTP.
First time I've seen it so I grabbed a box.
Anyone ever shoot this round ? Thoughts and opinions....

I will shoot from a 4 inch barrel, so I hope to get some expansion.
Problem is I have no real way to do any testing here locally.

Hope all of you had a nice Memorial Day ... and thanks.

Texan

 

[APS]

First time I've heard of it. Did you mean XTP or did it just come out?

 

[Redleg2814]

If you're referring to the 38 Special XTP...I picked up a box and ran a few rounds through my 60-10 (3 inch) and 681 (4 inch).

I only fired a dozen rounds to determine my groups and POI.

In SA on the 60-10, my groups were tiny, mostly touching at 'self defense range' of 7-10 yards. The recoil was unremarkable. It wasn't like shooting .22 and it sure wasn't like shooting .357 mag. Sorry I can't get more scientific on recoil.

I fired DA on the 681 and my groups opened up. Still within the 0 ring on the target--enough to incapacitate. I blame the groups more on my trigger pull than anything else. When I fired, SA, POI was similar to my 60-10. Recoil was very tame in the 681.

I am strongly considering this round for CCW over the often recommended 38 +p LSWCHP. Primary reason...I can actually find the Hornady locally.

Hope this helps.

 

[Texan]

You are correct, it is Hornady 158gr JHP .38 spl XTP.
Looked at the box with my glasses on this time !

I will try them in my model 13 and model 60-9.
Hopefully they will group as good as your results.

Thanks again, Texan

 

[APS]

The XTP hollowpoint bullet design is known for it's accuracy in general. But it's also prone to deep penetration and minimal expansion which may or may not be a good thing depending upon what you want to use it for. There are other better performing loads out there in .38 for defensive purposes.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Hornady XTP bullet has a reputation for being very tough and hard to expand. that's why they are liked by hunters, because they don't expand too quickly. From a 2" handgun I would be a little concerned. I think that's why Hornady created their Critical Defense and subsequent Critical Duty ammo.

I agree there are better choices, especially in a .38 Special.

 

[Redleg2814]

Great to know regarding the XTP's tendency to not expand. I'm on the hunt for a 38 self defense round that I can purchase at a local gun shop....LSWCHP is not an option. Is there anything you guys would recommend in 158 grain?

Walmart sells 38+p 125 grain SJHP. Maybe those are an alternative?

 

[APS]

Not to say that the load you list wouldn't work, b/c stopping power requires penetration to a vital area and the willpower of the shootee to give up. These are more modern designs though that your local gunstore might have.
Hornady Critical Defense
Winchester PDX
Speer Gold Dot
Remington Golden Saber
Corbon DPX
Any of those are a more modern design than the 38+P SJHP that you list and are more likely to reliably expand under a wider variety of circumstances.
I do believe that the Speer Gold Dot 135gr+P is currently at the top of the list of modern designs as far as shootings go. You might not find that at the gunstore but they will probably have the 125gr+P. It should work well out of a 4" barrel too.

My Walmart typically has the Winchester PDX and sometimes the Federal 110gr Hydrashok.