Question about hornady's 158 gr xtp

[jshaf00]

The fellow at the gun shop swears up and down the 38 spcl. 158 gr XTP is a standard pressure round.. however the box says 800 fps from a 4 " bbl. last i checked 800 or so fps with a 158gr jhp had a powder charge sitting in the +p range ?? can you guys give me better info on the pressures being generated here .. i have an older M&P and dont want to abuse it.

 

[XTrooper]

It's a standard pressure load.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: 38 Special :: 38 Special 158 gr XTP®

For future reference, if it doesn't say +P, it's not +P. If it is, it will always be so marked.

Something else to keep in mind. The "standard" loads during the time your vintage M&P was built matched or exceeded the +P loads of today. In other words, you can safely shoot any .38 Special load available from any SAAMI member ammo manufacturer with your revolver as long as it is sound to begin with. The standard loads will definitely not hurt it.

BTW, muzzle velocity is a poor tool for determining chamber pressures because of the vast differences in powders.

 

[jshaf00]

thanks for the info and the link

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For future reference, if it doesn't say +P, it's not +P. If it is, it will always be so marked.

BTW, muzzle velocity is a poor tool for determining chamber pressures because of the vast differences in powders.

I totally agree. Velocity can not be the criteria you use to determine chamber pressure and no manufacturer will leave off the +P part in this litigious society.

 

[Dragon88]

The fellow at the gun shop swears up and down the 38 spcl. 158 gr XTP is a standard pressure round.. however the box says 800 fps from a 4 " bbl. last i checked 800 or so fps with a 158gr jhp had a powder charge sitting in the +p range ?? can you guys give me better info on the pressures being generated here .. i have an older M&P and dont want to abuse it.

A greater concern here is the XTP bullet in this load if it will be used for SD ammunition. An XTP bullet at 38 special velocities has very little potential for expansion, and I would consider it basically a FMJ. Hornady's newer FTX bullet in the Critical Defense line would be better suited for a SD role, if that is your intention.

 

[jshaf00]

yes i was looking at it for an SD roll. they say the round will expand fine out of a barrel 4 inches or longer. my barrel is 5 inches. not sure if this is true or not, or just Hornady's attempt at selling the round.
it has been stated the round will not expand out of snub nose revolvers and from what ive seen that is a true statement.