mint loads. Therefore, after determining which loads gave good accuracy with the Winchester bullets, we switched to the Hornady XTP bullets, and the load utilizing the 6.2-grain charge behind the Hornady 110-grain XTP was chosen as our best accuracy load. With the 125-grain Hornady XTP, the most accurate load was that utilizing 5.2 grains of Unique. Having settled on two accuracy loads that utilize the
This coyote was “called” to within exactly 50 yards and remained in place so three shots could be fi red with the scoped Model 14. The target is half life size and shows that it would be a simple matter to hit the real thing to at least 75 yards.
Alliant Web site lists a load with 6.6 grains of Power Pistol as giving a 110-grain bullet a velocity of 1,074 ft/sec from a 6-inch barrel. As can be seen from the table, this corresponds almost exactly to our results obtained with the load utilizing 6.5 grains. Factory .38 Special loads that give 110-grain bullets velocities in the 1,000 ft/sec range are generally designated as +P loads. We have no doubt that the loads utilizing 6.5 and 6.8 grains of Power Pistol would fall into that category. In fact, they were so potent that we elected not to fi re them in the small J-frame S&W Model 60. However, in the Model 15 and the scoped Model 14 they gave small groups. Factory .38 Special loads with 125-grain bullets that have the +P des- ignation usually have a nominal velocity of 945 ft/sec with a 4-inch barrel. Therefore, we conclude that those 125-grain loads that gave velocities of more than 1,000 ft/sec should also be considered as +P loads. For emphasis we state again not to use the heavier loads
with Power Pistol in most .38 Special handguns or any that are not rated as suitable for +P loads. Although there are many excellent handgun bullets, we
have found that the Hornady XTP delivers excellent accuracy and reliable expansion, both of which are necessary for var-
110- and 125-grain Hornady XTP bullets with 6.2 grains of Power Pistol and 5.2 grains of Unique, respectively, we proceeded to load a large batch for additional testing. Both of these loads were tested in the scoped S&W Model 14 at a distance of 25 yards. Groups generally measured somewhere in the 1-inch to 2-inch range with some being much smaller, especially with the 110-grain bullet. That load proved to be very accurate, and at 50 yards a group measuring 2.12 inches was obtained with four of the fi ve shots giving a 0.71-inch cluster. The accompanying photo (see page 18) shows a coy- ote target that is approximately half life size that was shot at a range of 50 yards. There is no doubt that the 110-grain Hornady XTP bullet propelled by a charge of 6.2 grains of Power Pistol powder would easily be effective at a range of up to about 75 yards on varmints. The overall utility of the .38 Special is matched by few
other handguns even though some may be much more pow- erful. One would not normally go out and buy a revolver specifi cally for carry in remote places chambered for the .38 Special. A better choice probably would be a mid-size .357 Magnum which would make it possible to shoot both the lower powered .38 Special as well as the much more potent .357 Magnum when needed. But if one has only a good .38 Special, it should be possible to get along well enough that it might not be necessary to buy another handgun. It is that versatile, and unlike most products, it has improved with age because of modern ammunition available. Is the .38 Special still a viable tool for a varmint hunter?
Absolutely! In fact, for some types of varmints it is a splendid tool. We do not plan to abandon our .38s any time soon.
CONTACTS Alliant Powder
P.O. Box 6, Radford, VA 24143-0006 800-276-9337,
www.alliantpowder.com
Caldwell Shooting Supplies
5885 West Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, MO 65203 573-445-9200,
www.battenfeldtechnologies.com
Competition Electronics, Inc. 3469 Precision Drive, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-8001,
www.competitionelectronics.com
Hornady Mfg. Company
3625 West Old Potash Hwy., Grand Island, NE 68803 800-338-3220,
www.hornady.com
Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfi eld, MA 01104 413-781-8300,
www.smith-wesson.com
Weaver Optics
Unique® has been available for many years as illustrated by these containers from three generations.
Page 20 July — September 2011
N5549 County Trunk Z, Onalaska, WI 54650 800-635-7656,
www.weaveroptics.com
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