Pocket Expansion
The best low velocity expanding bullets I have tried are Speer Gold Dots. I know they make a 135 gr specifically for low velocity .38s and they may make a 125gr too. I have shot a lot of bullets into water and various other things over the years and The Gold Dots are the most consistent across the board that I have tired.
My 442 shoots a Keith HP on top of the sight and a couple of inches left at 25 yards. So that is what I carry. I am pushing them to just over 900 FPS and they open great. If I had to go lighter the GDs would get the nod.
I shot a small deer with a .45 ACP 230gr GD at just over 900 FPS out of a Les Baer. I would have swore the hole was made with a high power rifle, I was really impressed.
Complete thread:
- Pocket Expansion - 
Scott Ambler, 
2013-07-10, 17:54 
- Pocket Expansion - 
Slow Hand, 
2013-07-10, 18:12
- Slow bullets; go with LHPs - Rob Leahy, 2013-07-11, 10:42
 
 - I imagine a lot of bullets would fail the 'Sand Test' - 
FOG, 
2013-07-10, 19:14
- I imagine a lot of bullets would fail the 'Sand Test' - 
Scott Ambler, 
2013-07-10, 19:35
- I imagine a lot of bullets would fail the 'Sand Test' - lee jurras, 2013-07-10, 21:41
 - Long shot, but might be worth trying - 
FOG, 
2013-07-10, 21:48
- Long shot, but might be worth trying - 
lee jurras, 
2013-07-10, 22:04
- You probably have a 'point' there (LOL) - FOG, 2013-07-10, 22:28
 
 
 - Long shot, but might be worth trying - 
lee jurras, 
2013-07-10, 22:04
 - 'Sublime' J-frame Front Sight Picture - FOG, 2013-07-10, 22:36
 
 
 - I imagine a lot of bullets would fail the 'Sand Test' - 
Scott Ambler, 
2013-07-10, 19:35
 - Pocket Expansion - Jared, 2013-07-10, 23:47
 
 - Pocket Expansion - 
Slow Hand, 
2013-07-10, 18:12