[adguy]

I see that Gold Dot makes a .38 in 125gr +P and standard velocity.
I wasn't aware of this.
Has anyone tested this? Is this a good round in standard velocity? +P?

My understanding is that the Gold Dot is designed to expand at lower velocities. I could be wrong.

Thanks for the help.

 

[oldgranpa]

hi adguy,
the only thing I see on Speer's ammo site is +p in both the 125gr and new 135gr round.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx
Perhaps, are you maybe thinking about the rounds being offered by Buffalo Bore as shown in Josh's thread?? Check his thread right below. It shows a std pressure 125gr.
og

 

[adguy]

You are right, oldgranpa. Perhaps it's older. I saw it on GT Distributors it was listed as CCI-53722 and the +P was listed as CCI-53720. It could be old stock.

I don't read much about the .38 125 gr. +P though.

Is the bullet or the powder engineered differently for the Gold Dot short barrel? Just curious. I really like the Cor Bons, but they are so expensive. I like the Remington 158gr. lead HP's, but I wonder about the recoil. I have a 2" Model 10, so it's a little beefier than a J-frame.
Thanks.

 

[oldgranpa]

Really, the best place to read some reports on ammo for the 38special are the topics in Stephen's web site....

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/OtherHandguns.htm

I have only done very limited tests on 38special such as this old link...
http://www.ktrange.com/articles/a10/a10-18.html
and I did not have any Speer 125gr for the tests. You will note that in this old test 125gr+p Rem GS did not get very good penetration. More recent tests shows the new Speer 135gr+P to be a much better round.

og

Perhaps Stephen or those with more 38special experience will drop in here and give you some tips.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

"Is the bullet or the powder engineered differently for the Gold Dot short barrel? Just curious. I really like the Cor Bons, but they are so expensive. I like the Remington 158gr. lead HP's, but I wonder about the recoil. I have a 2" Model 10, so it's a little beefier than a J-frame."

As I understand it, the bullet in the 135-gr. is designed to expand at typical snub velocities. In other words, it is tailored to both expand and penetrate reliably at actual speeds attained in the short-bbl revolvers. It appears that the same bullet is used in their 357 Magnum Short Bbl load as its velocity is but a hundred-feet-per-second more than the 38 Special 135-gr. load.

From what I've seen, the 158-gr. LSWCHP +P (Remington) does between 12 and 13" in ballistic gelatin. The 135-gr. Gold Dot, around 10 to 11", and the DPX about 12". Humans are not homogeneous and while gelatin is probably the "gold standard" for bullet performance comparisons, I personally do not believe that it is the be-all/end-all in trying to predict actual handgun effectiveness.

Though I am a strong supporter of the DPX in several calibers, in .38 Special my preference is still for the "old techology" LSWCHP +P from Remington....or Federal. In a 3" or longer bbl, any of the three work fine; in fact the Winchester may hold together a bit better from a 3 or 4" bbl. From the snubs, the LSWCHP +P has a fairly good "history"; I'm personally aware of two incidents in which it did what it was supposed to do. One shot required in one shooting and two in the other. The DPX and the Gold Dot do better in ballistic gelatin than the LSWCHP after passing through the dread "4-layers of denim" test. I think they will eventually prove themselves worthy of being toward the top of the ".38 Snub Serious Ammo List" but find myself still hesitant to leave the older Remington load.

Frankly, I do not think that you will find any of these loads to be excessive whatsoever from an all-steel Model 10 snub. I use the Remington in the J-frame Airweights and while not a "delight" to shoot, neither do I find it either uncontrollable or unbearable to shoot....but I do practice with the snub perhaps more than some; who can say? Felt recoil is subjective.

If interested, here's a comparison of the DPX, Gold Dot, and the LSWCHP:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38%20Snub%20Ammo%20Test.htm

This one is on "Making the J-frame Snub Work" but might be of interest for consideration in using your K-frame, which should be quite a bit easier:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Making%20J%20Frame%20Work.htm


Best and good luck in your search.

 

[adguy]

Mr. Camp, oldgranpa, thanks so much. I found a good deal on a box of 50 Remington 158gr. LSWCHP's. I think I'll get them.

I must say, although my 2" model 10 is larger than my Colt Detective Special and much larger than a J-Frame, so carry is not as convenient, the ease of shooting makes up for weight & size.
I have never shot a snubbie so well. I love this pistol. I hope to find a 3" 65 or 64 some day, but for now, I'm trying to find a nice Model 27 3.5" or 28 4" like some of the ones I've seen here. They must be more plentiful in Texas.

Thanks so much. I always enjoy the civility and friendly opinions on this forum.

 

[twoguns]

Howdy adguy,

Like you sir, in my time here I continue to be impressed with what a great group of members and how much knowledge they so willingly share.

I have no personal experience with the short barrel Gold Dot .38 load, but agree with what both Mr. Camp and Mr. OG offered in their thoughts. Among my LEO circles it is developing a strong reputation.

Sometimes you may need ammo and simply can not readily find what you need on the shelves. So I will just throw this one in the mix for you as well, as a possible fall back. My agency hired a retired HP Ballistican who became our ammo "expert" (our first one truly). When we needed an appropriate round for our J-frame Smiths, Jim selected the Federal 129 +P HS. The round was designed to give reliable performance from a snub nose revolver.

Even in a J-frame it was a "pleasant" round to shoot compared to many others. Jim was a big fan of the Speer Gold Dots and selected them as our primary carry ammo in several other calibers. At the time their short barrel .38 load did not exist.

If you can't find one of your preferred rounds locally when you need more ammo, I think the Federal 129 +P HS would do you well as an alternative load.

Just wanted to add this one to your list of possibles.

twoguns