Comparable load to .38 Sp Gold Dot Short Barrel???

CombatArmsUSAF · Jun 3, 2009

My carry ammunition in the 642 will be 135 Grain +p Short barrel from Speer.

I would like to know what loads have a similar feel and recoil to this particular load. It is entirely too expensive to have continuous practice with.

I am a complete noob to carrying and shooting a revolver, so any advice from you guys would be much appreciated.

RevolvingGarbage · Jun 3, 2009

Speer makes a Lawman 158 gr. +P TMJ (FMJ) load thats designed to exactly replicate the feel of the gold dot duty ammo but cost less to practice with. I happen to have a box of this stuff siting in my ammo can that i cant use it in my alloy framed .38 special.

MK11 · Jun 3, 2009

But does 158 grain translate to 135 grain? I imagine the poi would be different.

zxcvbob · Jun 3, 2009

If you can find some 135 grain cast bullets, use them with Bullseye powder should get you there.
This one is probably close enough: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00051509

Travis Bickle · Jun 3, 2009

I would like to know what loads have a similar feel and recoil to this particular load. It is entirely too expensive to have continuous practice with.

I'd like to know the same thing for my carry load, which is Cor-Bon +p 110 gr. JHP. Georgia Arms makes a cheap 110 gr +p load that looks like it'd be comparable, but I'm not sure.

rcmodel · Jun 3, 2009

I'm not sure if you are a reloader, or asking about a factory load??

Speer 135 GD Short Barrel +P data:
Ruger SP101

Power Pistol - 6.0 - 954.
Power Pistol - 6.5 - 1,019.
AA#5 = 6.8 - 869.
AA#5 = 7.2 - 924.
AA#7 = 8.2 - 883.
Unique = 5.4 - 880.
Universal Clays - 5.4 - 929.

rc

jfh · Jun 3, 2009

rcmodel's data points the way. If you use google to search on "Gold Dot 38+P", "replica reloads" or the like in the reloading forum, information should come up. A few of us actively pursued 'replica reloads' for this cartridge about 18-24 months ago, and specifically for 2" barrel revolvers.

If you are a reloader, AA#5 and 135-140 gr. Lead bullets can be used to replicate both the feel and velocity of the GDSB 38+P 135-gr. rounds. Cost runs about 12-13 cents a round--or $2.50 for 20 of them. That cost, BTW, includes case amortization at about 10%.

Jim H.

CombatArmsUSAF · Jun 3, 2009

I really wish that I had my reloading setup up and running but unfortunately I don't yet.

I was looking for a factory load to replicate the feel and recoil of the load mentioned above.

hardluk1 · Jun 4, 2009

Cor-Bon DPX

Comparable load to .38 Sp Gold Dot Short Barrel???

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