Hadn't seen that load yet. Could be a good one for my j frames.

 

I'll watch the video later but I have to say it has a large hill to climb to surpass the Gold Dot.

 

Looks like it performs well but I don't get the point of the recessed bullet. My concern is this shape could slow down reloading. I suppose the idea is that it will help prevent bullet jump that could lock up the gun? But this isn't a 357 Magnum. I've never heard of issues with that with Gold Dots.

 

I imagine the bullet is seated deeply because of the type of powder ? Notice it was faster out of the 642 vs the 4 inch barreled K frame ..

I must say it is a performer...
More like a strong stanard pressure than a +P ...
Seems velocity is right on track as my 148 gr +P LWC my buddy loaded me a few years back...

This is one load I considering.. For my 11.5 oz Charter Arms 38spl

 

I imagine the bullet is seated deeply because of the type of powder ? Notice it was faster out of the 642 vs the 4 inch barreled K frame ..

I must say it is a performer...
More like a strong stanard pressure than a +P ...
Seems velocity is right on track as my 148 gr +P LWC my bubby loaded me a few years back...

This is one load I considering.. For my 11.5 oz Charter Arms 38spl

It's currently loaded in my S&W 342 ti that weights about the same - LOL!

 

Looks like it performs well but I don't get the point of the recessed bullet. My concern is this shape could slow down reloading. I suppose the idea is that it will help prevent bullet jump that could lock up the gun? But this isn't a 357 Magnum. I've never heard of issues with that with Gold Dots.

I am not even close to an expert, but I thought I read someplace it was to eliminate the air space in the case and that helps with powder burn.

 

View: https://youtu.be/k7H_WdlcjHc


Little info from Federal

 

Anybody have an online source that actually has these in stock?

 

Don't know about online?
I bought two boxes at Cabela's.
They also have HST Micro 9mm

 

Very cool. Thanks for posting the video. I hadn't seen it. I'm still a fan of snubs.

I'll probably stick with my GD 135s for now. It performs quite well out of my J-frames. Chrono testing showed higher than advertised velocities in both and was very good with ES. According to folks that follow real world shootings, including the forum's own Mas, the Gold Dot SB has a solid track record.

Still, this looks like it has potential.

 

I’m using 125gr 38 Special +P Gold Dots in my LCR. Don’t like the look of that recessed bullet on this HST.

 

Interesting.

 

The 38 spl case is longer than needed to reach +P pressures or velocity, with todays powders ....

 

Looks like it performs well but I don't get the point of the recessed bullet. My concern is this shape could slow down reloading. I suppose the idea is that it will help prevent bullet jump that could lock up the gun? But this isn't a 357 Magnum. I've never heard of issues with that with Gold Dots.

This new Federal round for the .38 is basically a jacketed version of the old cast lead "manstopper" bullet. There were a couple designs of the "manstopper" bullet but most guys just loaded a hollow base wadcutter backwards. The very large hp cavity helps to ensure reliable expansion at low velocities.

If you are worried about reload speed then have a smith chamfer the cylinder and smooth everything out. This jacketed version will likely load nicer than the old HBWC or manstopper bullets did. Looks like federal did put on a nice roll crimp and rounded the bullet to help for smooth loading.

It looks to me from the chrono results Federal is using a small amount of fast powder. I say this because the longer barreled wheel gun actually chronoed slower than the j frame. When using small amounts of powder it helps not to have a large open space below the bullet for the powder to shake around. So I don't doubt Federals claim about shot to shot consistency.

Hopefully Federal comes out with more HST revolver loads. At least a .44mag, .44special and .357mag yet.

 

Do loads like the Gold Dots really have big issues with shot to shot velocities?

Sounds like a solution to a non-existent, or least irrelevant, problem.

 

IME, yes they do. I've chronod the 135gr Gold dot a few times and experienced big velocity spreads and low velocities from a number of different guns.
The new fed load is weak sauce for being advertised +p, but it looks like it'd be attractive for someone seeking std pressure- like recoil.
I'd like to try it from my Taurus 'no View' over the chrono.

 

It never hurts to keep shot to shot variances to a minimum, especially when you are already on the ragged edge of the velocity for reliable expansion. When 20 or 25 fps can mean the difference between a couple folded pedals and full expansion well yes it can be important.

The 135gr GD .38 load is a good one but it still has plenty of failures to expand in revolvers like the Jframe. When it does expand penetration is on the low end. If everyone just says "X" is good enough a round for self defense and poo poos on something new we would still be stuck with ball ammo.

 

Can't imagine that would work well with soeedloaders. Especially on the jframe guns that have minimal frame clearance of the cylinder.

My wadcutters that I hand load don't work well with speed loaders. When I want to practice with those I load up LSWC instead.

 

I have using strip speed loaders for the past few years ....works great with WC's

I have been carrying Underwood 125gr XTP 38spl +P or Remington 125gr SJHP 38 spl +P in my Taurus 605 or Charter 38spl the Charter weighs 11 oz which makes it a lively performer with +P
This Federal 130 gr HST load was noted that it had less noticeable recoil ... even though being listed as +P ... For light weight 11 to 16oz this load may be the ticket

 

Good info Barth. Mrgunsngear makes good videos but I could do w/o the intro noise. That looks good for my 642 but I don't really use it much.

 

I always fast forward past the intro noise - LOL!
Have been running a .380 LCP with Hornady XTP Custom ammo as a BUG.
This new HST 38 load from a snubbie looks clearly superior to me.
So today I'm switching to my S&W 342 ti :supergrin:

 

Bought a couple of boxes of these to test. Interested in fast powder loads for snubbie revolvers.

 

How do flat bullets load in a round cylinder

Need some pointy end to quickly get things started!