I made a special request for all rounds to come from the same lot number; I ordered a case but made the request just on the outside chance that a case was short a box (the inventory showed 12 whole cases available when I made my order). I got 500 rounds-the equivalent of a case from FOUR different lot numbers shrink rapped in a cardboard container. The individual 50 round boxes were all beaten up with the glued ends broken. As the ammunition is carried for security work and self protection, the velocity of each round is important. The Remington .38 (+P) LHP only opens up reliably at around 860 f.p.s. (Winchesters have harder bullets and require more speed for reliable expansion.) The overall average velocity of the rounds chronographed was near the factory specified 890 fps average from my 4" S&W Model 64 and Model 15, but one lot number was really low. Instead of testing 12 rounds, I had to test 24....x2 revolvers, pretty expensive when I asked for a single new case and got...I'm not sure what. Target Sports has traditionally been a 5 star supplier; so, I was surprised and felt let down.
Reviewed by Ralph
L
11/2/2018 9:39:44 PM
The old quintessential cop loads, but not quite full house +P loaded. Buffalo Bore standard pressure .38 Special 158 Grain seem a little hot, but they are more consistent than Remington, Federal, Winchester, Speer, etc. These bigger name makers download a little bit rather than risk any exploding guns, so +P might be + or it might be riding along the higher side of standard CUP pressures. Either way, these are the old standby for police, and FBI ammo from bygone days. People got just as dead from a .38 Spcl as they do from 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP. These hollow point semi-wad cutters are always going to deliver better results from the likes of a S&W snubnose J Frame, Colt snubnose D Frame, Ruger SP101, GP101, LCR, or other snubnose revolvers, such as: Charter Arms, Taurus, Kimber, etc. Add an inch on the barrel, and you can go with lower velocity rounds. Go to 4 inches for a barrel length, and these are simply devastating rounds! If you have a 4-8 inch barrel you can go with JHPs, and not worry. This stuff was a bit sooty with the Colt Detective Special, S&W Combat Magnum model 66, model 19, model 10, model 15, model 42 model 60, model 36, Charter Arms On Duty, Off Duty, & Magnum Pugs. These just simply do their job! I tend to carry Buffalo Bore standard pressure when I am going into harm's way, with an older non +P gun. I'd guess that these probably won't be cause for too much concern, provided I don't feed the non +P guns a steady diet of this stuff. .357 out of an Airweight is a little brutal. These are more than manageable for recoil! By contrast, Buffalo Bore's standard pressure seemed a might stiff feeling, for non +P. I have so far refrained from shooting any +P from those vintage Colt revolvers. I also avoid +P through non +P alloy frame Smiths. Again, this seems tame enough to me. It sure mushrooms out well enough, though! In their hour of financial despair we wish Remington all the best, and thanks to Target Sports for supplying us with sale ammo when they can! My UPS guy hates me!