Where is the FBI load?

[ironhead7544]

Over the years I have seen this load vary in velocity quite a bit. The reason they came up with the "+P" version is that the standard velocity did not work all the time with a hollow point, even soft lead. I have seen some lots of the +P 158 gr SWCHP only show 780 fps from a 4 inch. The standard 158 gr LRN shows about 700 fps or a little more in a 4 inch. YMMV.

If you do get some of this ammo, run your own velocity test in your revolver.

I would just get the Buffalo Bore ammo. The +P version should give enough velocity to get the hollow point to work.

 

[Hapworth]

...So I got two boxes of Remington HTP .38 special +P 158 gr. LSWCHP in the mail the other day. They look pretty good, but the hollow points cavity on some of them is sort of malformed and appears "squished", maybe not the best QC on this new load...

Ironically, it may also be a good sign that soft lead is still being used; the soft stuff is likelier to mushroom.

 

[Hapworth]

Over the years I have seen this load vary in velocity quite a bit. The reason they came up with the "+P" version is that the standard velocity did not work all the time with a hollow point, even soft lead. I have seen some lots of the +P 158 gr SWCHP only show 780 fps from a 4 inch. The standard 158 gr LRN shows about 700 fps or a little more in a 4 inch. YMMV.

If you do get some of this ammo, run your own velocity test in your revolver.

I would just get the Buffalo Bore ammo. The +P version should give enough velocity to get the hollow point to work.

I agree about factoring in variations due to batch and revolver.

Wish some of the usual suspect -- Brassfetcher, tnoutdoors, etc. -- would run some gel tests.

As for the BB +P Heavy version -- it's good, but it's a monster out of a J snubby.

 

[nawilson]

Although a little pricey, Buffalo Bore +p FBIs are hard to beat! You might also try Georgia Arms if you can find them at a gun show in your area. Their site currently has the FBI +p listed out of stock, but they usually have everything at the shows.

I agree completely on Buffalo Bore. All reports say they get an honest 1000 fps or slightly faster. Georgia Arms is generally good ammo, but they seem to use a different alloy than BB. Though unscientific, the finger nail test makes me think it is much harder.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Good news and bad news. The GOOD news is that there is still some of the original FBI load around, and it's still a very effective .38 special self-defense round.

The BAD news is that most of it is still hoarded by old-timers like me who only use it to stoke our steel J-frames for potential serious social work.

John

 

[CO_Kid]

Im in the same boat looking for that stuff. NOBODY carries it around here. One gun store, the guys had never even heard of it.

 

[Pigirondan]

As an aside, I use to use the Buffalo Bore hardcast wadcutter in my J-frame. It is a good round. However, I've gone to using the Atomic Ammunition reversed HBWC. It is just as accurate as the Buffalo Bore wadcutter 12 yards in. It is listed as a +P load.

To check the efficacy of the round I shot it into water soaked newspaper. It expands like a mofo. YMMV

 

[358156hp]

One of my local dealers looked me square in the eye and told me that 158 gr bullets are too heavy for a 38 Spl, and that the new 110 gr ammo is the only way to go. I told him that only 158 gr shoots to the sights of my J frame, and he told me I was just imagining it, and that I need to practice more. I haven't been back since. My 649 shoots 158 Hydrashok 357 mag loads to the sights out to about 15 yards, so that's what I'm using now.

 

[12string]

Thinking about trying some of these out of my S&W Model 36 no dash

38 Special +P 158 Grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point Gas Check Box of 50

or maybe the hard cast stuff, much cheaper than BB

38 Special +P 158 Grain Hard Cast Keith Box of 50

 

[Black_Sheep]

It appears the old Remington #R38S12 is no longer available. I'll have to conserve the few boxes left in my stash...