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Loading .38 Spl. to +P pressures is a good way to boost the performance of this old cartridge in short-barreled handguns that might not produce enough velocity to initiate expansion with some standard-pressure loads. However, .38 Spl. +P loads can also make lightweight, compact revolvers un-fun to shoot. This Golden Saber load was tested in a steel-frame Smith & Wesson Chiefs Special and was actually comfortable to shoot. Penetration was deeper and expansion wider than all previously tested .38 Spl. loads. I initially assumed this to be the same load Remington uses for its Ultimate Home Defense offering, but based on my velocity and gelatin testing, the loads are not identical.
| Load | MV (fps) | PEN (inches) | EXP (inches) | RW(grains) |
| .38 Spl. +P Remington 125-grain Golden Saber | 883 | 13.0 | .60 | 125 |
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