non+P 38 snub nose SD loads

[ArchAngelCD]

It has been proven that the thin skin 135gr GD does not expand at 800 fps...

Funny thing is, Speer specifically designed that 135gr bullet for their short barrel ammunition to ensure the bullet expands reliably @~800 fps. Their 125gr or 158gr bullets are a different story but the 135gr bullet was designed to be reliable at the lower velocities associated with short barrel revolvers.

 

[hotrod150]

Personally I would avoid any ammo with a fancy name, with the possible exception of nyclads. I prefer a plain old soft lead 158 gr SWC (with or without hollowpoint), but would accept the 125gr or 158 gr nyclad. Don't know the price on those or even if they're available, but the newer fancy-named stuff is too spendy & in spite of marketing hype I'm not sure they work any better out of a snub barrel.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I went back to the post and you are correct........
the velosity in the 2" M60 was.........

798fps with it expanding to .585 dia in the water jug test.

125 xtp at 846 fps only expanded to .402 dia with 23 inches of penetration.
the 125 GD +P at 914 fps expanded to .592 dia. with 17" water penetration.

Sorry......I got the figures mixed up.

Speer might have increased the velosity since this old test,since I know they changed the jacket on it to improve on another old test where they only started to expand and they sent a newer improved bullet in ammo to the tester on one of the sites that I found,that mushroomed correctly on the next testing.