[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

Speer seems to have made quite a splash with their new .38 Special load consisting of a 135-grain Gold Dot bullet at +P velocities. Purportedly this load went through tons of development, has been optimized for snubnosed revolvers, and is aimed at replacing the old Federal Nyclad 158-grain load LSWCHP +P (aka FBI load) used by the NYPD.

If all of this is true has anyone compared the point of impact of the new Speer 135-grain Gold Dot load against the old 158-grain FBI load at 25 yards?

If yes, how do they compare?

If they are not identical in their points of impact how close are they?

I own a few Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers that were zeroed at the factory for the 158-grain load. I do not really want to mess with the Speer load unless it can duplicate the same point of impact at 25 yards as I consider this an essential capability in a backup gun. Yet the load seems to have been giving the blessing of many of the more qualified authorities on the subject and the Gold Dot's accuracy is well known. Also, the lead hollowpoints would not deform when carried in speedstrips and speedloaders in the pocket.

Thank you for your input.

[MarineTech]

I'm not able to tell you how it compares to the old FBI load, because I don't have any of it on hand to make a comparrison.

However.

Out of my S&W Model 638, point of impact for the 135gr. Speer load matches right up with point of aim for my particular gun at 11 yards.

While not the comparrison you were looking for, this particular gun matched up point of impact and point of aim for Federal standard pressure nyclads at 12 yards.

[HSMITH]

They shoot to POA in my 36, 37, Charter, and everything else I have tried them in.

Buy some, try it in your gun.

[Preacherman]

Ditto POA in my S&W 442/642. Speer seems to have taken this issue into account when designing the round - and they've done a great job!

[denfoote]

I have not seen box one of it here in the vast Sonoran desert!!
There is tons of the 125gr, but none of the new stuff!!
I don't want to pay double (with shipping) for one box, over the internet, just to try it out!! ;)

[tbeb]

Every barrel is different, so it's my opinion you need to buy some and see where they hit with your "J" frames.

[BluesBear]

tbib is right.

In fact the POI/POA relationship will differ from gun to gun AND shooter to shooter as well.

The ONLY way to REALLY know where your gun shoots, is to shoot it yourself.

[JohnBT]

"Ditto POA in my S&W 442/642"

That's good to hear. I'm sitting here looking at two $12.99 boxes I just bought and it's a windy 18* F outside with a half-inch of ice on everything.

John