What is a classic load for .38 special using a 125 grain hollow-point slug?
Classic 125gr .38 special loads?
- Thread starter FurTrapper
- Start date
I don't know if there is such a distinction of "classic" 125 grain load for the 38 Special but mine is a 125 XPT Hornady bullet with 5.6 grains of 231.
In my revolvers, this load is extremely accurate and I obtain good bullet expansion as revealed by recovered bullets. I haven't tested this load on game or ballistic media so I can't comment on real world terminal performance but based on book data, it should perform well.
The 148 grain hollow base wadcutter behind either Bullseye or 231 might be consider a classic 38 Special load. While this is a target load with velocities below 800 ft./s, it's very effective on small game such as rabbits and squirrels producing minimum meat damage. This is probably the most accurate bullet / powder combo ever devised for a revolver. I shot it for many years in NRA Precision Pistol Centerfire and qualified as a Distinguished Expert with this load and a S&W Model 14 revolver.
In my revolvers, this load is extremely accurate and I obtain good bullet expansion as revealed by recovered bullets. I haven't tested this load on game or ballistic media so I can't comment on real world terminal performance but based on book data, it should perform well.
The 148 grain hollow base wadcutter behind either Bullseye or 231 might be consider a classic 38 Special load. While this is a target load with velocities below 800 ft./s, it's very effective on small game such as rabbits and squirrels producing minimum meat damage. This is probably the most accurate bullet / powder combo ever devised for a revolver. I shot it for many years in NRA Precision Pistol Centerfire and qualified as a Distinguished Expert with this load and a S&W Model 14 revolver.
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