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.
- Anthony
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.
- Anthony