We still get many posts asking about the effectiveness of +P 38 Special loads. I consider the +P to be rather weak on power, not loaded to anywhere near the potential of the cartridge despite all the misguided impressions out there that this is a powerful load.
I wanted to compare factory +P to my own hand-loads so I tried a totally unscientific but interesting experiment. Maybe we should call it “The Bottles of truth?”
Using 2 liter plastic bottles (Diet Coke, my favorite) filled with water, I fired into 4 such bottles lined up in a row (see photo #1).
The revolver was a 2” S&W Model 10. I wanted the short barrel because this is what is usually used for defensive carry.
The Remington 125 +P (925 FPS from a 4” revolver) punched a clean hole into bottle #1, and tore a gaping hole out the back of said bottle. The second bottle showed evidence of being punctured by an expanded bullet going in and a small fragment coming out. This is odd because if the bullet came apart then we would expect the main portion to remain in the bottle but it wasn’t there. No part of the bullet was found. This fragment pierced bottle #3 in and out but apparently bounced off #4 without doing damage.
I wanted a recovered slug, so I fired a second round at fresh bottles. This time the bullet held together after punching into the third bottle and was found at the bottom. The bullet had obviously expanded in the first bottle with all entry and exit holes after the initial entry being big and torn rather than clean 38 caliber holes.
I then fired my own load (125 Remington Golden Sabre loaded to 1150 FPS). The effect was dramatic. The first bottle was not only penetrated, but the entry side (not the exit as might be expected) was split wide open all the way from the mouth to the base. A gaping exit indicated full expansion. This slug completely penetrated bottles 2 and 3, apparently bounced off #4 and was found on the ground below. The two bullets are shown in photos 2 and 3.
From this very limited and unscientific test it seems that the Golden Sabre expands perfectly (in water, anyway) and will hold together even in tough conditions. The +P bullet is more likely to fragment, and doesn’t expand as fully (perhaps due to the lower velocity). The dramatic explosive effect noted on bottle #1 with the hand-load is likely due to the higher velocity, proving that speed does matter. The hand-load also demonstrated slightly superior penetration through water.
IMO factory +P is a barely adequate self-defense load. I am much more comfortable with my 125@1150 load for carry purposes. In fact, I have a high level of confidence in the effectiveness of this load and in my mind THIS is what the +P should be, not that wimpy 925 load that makes the lawyers happy.
I wanted to compare factory +P to my own hand-loads so I tried a totally unscientific but interesting experiment. Maybe we should call it “The Bottles of truth?”
Using 2 liter plastic bottles (Diet Coke, my favorite) filled with water, I fired into 4 such bottles lined up in a row (see photo #1).
The revolver was a 2” S&W Model 10. I wanted the short barrel because this is what is usually used for defensive carry.
The Remington 125 +P (925 FPS from a 4” revolver) punched a clean hole into bottle #1, and tore a gaping hole out the back of said bottle. The second bottle showed evidence of being punctured by an expanded bullet going in and a small fragment coming out. This is odd because if the bullet came apart then we would expect the main portion to remain in the bottle but it wasn’t there. No part of the bullet was found. This fragment pierced bottle #3 in and out but apparently bounced off #4 without doing damage.
I wanted a recovered slug, so I fired a second round at fresh bottles. This time the bullet held together after punching into the third bottle and was found at the bottom. The bullet had obviously expanded in the first bottle with all entry and exit holes after the initial entry being big and torn rather than clean 38 caliber holes.
I then fired my own load (125 Remington Golden Sabre loaded to 1150 FPS). The effect was dramatic. The first bottle was not only penetrated, but the entry side (not the exit as might be expected) was split wide open all the way from the mouth to the base. A gaping exit indicated full expansion. This slug completely penetrated bottles 2 and 3, apparently bounced off #4 and was found on the ground below. The two bullets are shown in photos 2 and 3.
From this very limited and unscientific test it seems that the Golden Sabre expands perfectly (in water, anyway) and will hold together even in tough conditions. The +P bullet is more likely to fragment, and doesn’t expand as fully (perhaps due to the lower velocity). The dramatic explosive effect noted on bottle #1 with the hand-load is likely due to the higher velocity, proving that speed does matter. The hand-load also demonstrated slightly superior penetration through water.
IMO factory +P is a barely adequate self-defense load. I am much more comfortable with my 125@1150 load for carry purposes. In fact, I have a high level of confidence in the effectiveness of this load and in my mind THIS is what the +P should be, not that wimpy 925 load that makes the lawyers happy.
