I'm actually carrying that right now.
Federal 130gr HST 38spl
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It does indeed look like a good load. Don't know which Speed-loader you tried, but maybe the push feed type from Safariland would hold them steadier. If not, a good load that will back them up on a reload is definitely wise.
Also, you can do your own test if you or someone you know has a chronograph. I can run the numbers through the Q-Model from Charles Schwartz's Quantitative Ammunition Selection. Line up 4 one-gallon water jugs and place the first at the same distance the loads were chrono'd from. Measure the diameter of the recovered bullet, weigh it and give me the data. The results in water, once ran through the formula in QAS, or the Q-Model which I have, will predict the penetration in gel. With over 850 rounds compared in both mediums, the accuracy is better than 95%, and why I use it. It also predicts a number of other factors in the wounding mechanism.
The old Jim Cirillo Manstopper load revisited except those weren't flush seated (9mm bullets shown).
Attachments
I've been doing some testing with HSTs in 9mm. I have an article posted just a couple weeks back on the 147. Yesterday I loaded 124s where I'm working up to the Federal +P spec of 1200 FPS from their 4" test barrel where we'll be chronographing from a 4" M&P Mod 2 Compact. Once there I'll be water testing. They are extremely good bullets.
Western Powders
Western Powders
My minimum is a bit different where I like 140s for .357 short barrelled revolvers, but no problem if I have to feed them 158s. Kinda comes down to the bullet design and I don't carry .38s.
It's also why I like 147 gr. JHPs in 9mm so much. In terms of sectional density they fall exactly between a 140 & 158 gr. .357 bullet.
And while I test all of the JHPs that I use, I don't necessarily follow the mantra of the gelatin junkies. The load I developed for the last article with the 147 gr. HST @ 1111 FPS showed penetration in gel would be just barely below 12". The data derived from QAS is a bit more than impressive. The junkies say that a bullet needs to penetrate 15 - 18" in gel and that depth covers some less likely events like a bad guy being shot through one side or another through the shoulder. I don't choose bullets for contengencies. Then again, they don't seem to have much concern about over-penetration. We train for COMass for a reason, and we shoot until the threat is over. There aren't many humans that are 18" in depth from front to back. They also tend to ignore the impressive stopping record of 125 gr. JHP loads in .357 Magnum where a good many of them barely penetrated over 10".
It's a shame that we can't buy HSTs for component bullets. What I have were "pulled" by RMR and I have since acquired some 124 gr. HSTs in 9mm. Then there's another bonus due to Federal using a mechanical lock for core retention, with a .38 Sp. length case, either of the two 9mm bullets can be loaded for revolvers without exceeding the OACL Max. Maybe they won't be Match accurate, but they'll sure work at combat distances.
One area where Federal has changed is that they are selling a few component bullets now. The Syntech is essentially just a poly-coated lead bullet, but Hydra-Shoks are soon to be available.
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