Second to that are Winchester's 130 grain PDX-1's...also very accurate...but I still prefer the heavier Hornady round.
I've seen decent real world results with the PDX-1. I like them out of 3" barrels and lower. 4" and up I go to the 158gr.
The Winchester PDX-1 round is a good round...and we know where it got it's birth all those years ago!
I still have some of those BT's, albeit in .357 magnum, which was my first carry caliber!
Yeah, I've noticed the same thing too.I actually prefer the feel of the standard-pressure 158 grain load vs the (somewhat) harsher 'pop' of the lighter +P loads...especially in the lighter
Air-Weight S&W J-frame revolvers.
Older .38's were built for the 158 grain loads and I've also found them to be more accurate with the heavier, standard-pressure loads.
I always say, With a new gun, buy several different loads, different manufactures, different grains, standard-pressure, +P pressure, etc.
and see how it handles different loads and where each one lands on the target.
Then buy lots of the stuff that your gun handles well...