2024 Remington HTP 38 Special +P 158 gr LHP - Chronograph Tests

[38SPL HV]

Purchased Remington’s latest 2024 manufacture “FBI Load” 38 Special +P 158 gr LHP (HTP, twenty per box). Tested them in a 4 inch S&W Model 10-14 and 4 inch S&W Heavy Duty.

I also made a comparison in the S&W Model 10-14 using Remington’s 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP which I purchased new in 2019 (fifty per box) and Federal’s +P version “38 G” (white box, new, also purchased in 2019) and compared these to my 2022 tests with same loads in my 5 inch S&W HD:

Firearm: S&W Model 10-14 (4 inch heavy barrel):

Load: Remington HTP 38 Spl + P 158 gr LHP (2024 manufacture) (in parentheses are velocities obtained from my S&W 4 inch Heavy Duty):
10 shot string:
Hi 855 fps (4 inch S&W HD 896 fps)
Lo 829 fps (865 fps)
Avg 831 fps (877 fps)
ES 26 (31)
SD 8 (9)

Note: much “slower” than anticipated but outstanding low extremes. They also use 1 1/2 primers (brass colored)

Firearm: S&W Model 10-14 (4 inch heavy barrel):
(I also list in parentheses average velocity obtained in 2022 using my 5 inch S&W HD)

Load: Remington HTP 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP (purchased new manufacture in 2019 (50 per box))
10 shot string:
Hi 892 fps
Lo 846 fps
Avg 876 fps (2022 test in a 5 inch S&W HD yielded 955 fps avg)
ES 46
SD 13

Firearm: S&W Model 10-14 (4 inch heavy barrel):
(I also list in parentheses average velocity obtained in 2022 using my 5 inch S&W HD)

Load: Federal “38G” 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP
10 shot string:
Hi 899 fps
Lo 860 fps
Avg 873 fps (2022 tests in a 5 inch S&W HD yielded 931 fps)
ES 39
SD 13

 

[Forrest r]

That 10-14 seems a bit on the slow side.

Sometimes it's the cylinder gap, other times it's the bbl. Used to run 2 different tuned dw revolvers. Had 4" (3x) 6" (2x) and a 8" bbl for them.

I could set the cylinder gap on them. That 8" bbl never did perform well. That heavy bbl shrouded 6" bbl pictured above (special order 1 in 10 twist with muzzle break) would be within +/- 75fps of the 8" bbl. Didn't matter what powder/bullet combo I used.

Anyway thank you for posting those results.

Makes me wonder if those loads in a +/- 2" snubnosed revolver would be in the 800fps range with those loads.

 

[stansdds]

Interesting test and testing loads from two very different production lots through the same firearm on the same day tells the tale. It certainly looks like current Remington 38 Special +P HTP is loaded to lower velocity, and presumably pressure, than the 2019 production.

 

[38SPL HV]

That 10-14 seems a bit on the slow side.

Sometimes it's the cylinder gap, other times it's the bbl. Used to run 2 different tuned dw revolvers. Had 4" (3x) 6" (2x) and a 8" bbl for them.

I could set the cylinder gap on them. That 8" bbl never did perform well. That heavy bbl shrouded 6" bbl pictured above (special order 1 in 10 twist with muzzle break) would be within +/- 75fps of the 8" bbl. Didn't matter what powder/bullet combo I used.

Anyway thank you for posting those results.

Makes me wonder if those loads in a +/- 2" snubnosed revolver would be in the 800fps range with those loads.

I will eventually get to test the 2024 version in my S&W 442 1 7/8 inch barrel but here are tests I did a while back from this gun:

2019 Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP (10 shots):
Hi 845 fps
Lo 794 fps
Avg 812 fps
ES 51
SD 18

Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (10 shots):
Hi 813 fps
Lo 750 fps
Avg 785 fps
ES 53
SD 16

Perhaps the powder in the 2024 Remington version will make it perform “faster” in snub noses. But with all things equal, I bet it’s at best 750-775 fps from my S&W 442…stay tuned.

Best, Eric

 

[LVSteve]

Looks like the 5" tube makes good use of the +P rating. I wonder how that load would be in my 686 6".

 

[DGNY]

Thanks as always for your interesting and comprehensive tests with many details shown.

 

[38SPL HV]

Thanks as always for your interesting and comprehensive tests with many details shown.

Thank you DGNY. Hope all is well in NY. I miss very much the Whitetail Deer hunting in Westchester County, southern tier. Bow only. Great memories.

 

[ddixie884]

Good info, thanx for sharing. Up to date info is always helpful and appreciated.

 

[38SPL HV]

Good info, thanx for sharing. Up to date info is always helpful and appreciated.

My pleasure!