Ballistic gelatin test results : Various .38 Special from a 4" barrel

JE223 · May 5, 2007, 02:21 AM

Special thanks to 351 WINCHESTER for sponsoring this test in full.

Cartridges - Various .38 Special from a 4" revolver

Firearm - Smith and Wesson revolver with 4" barrel length

Block calibration - All depths corrected (From 10.3cm @ 605 ft/sec)

Shot 1 - Buffalo Bore 125gr +P (Part # 20B). Impacted the block at 1287 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.8" and was recovered at 0.593" average diameter and 116.9gr weight. Severe fragmentation was encountered through the entire wound track. Penetration is outlined in red.

Shot 2 - Federal 147gr +P+ Hydra-Shok (Part #P38HS2G). Impacted the block at 1005 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.8" and was recovered at 0.571" average diameter and 102.5gr weight. Severe fragmentation was encountered through the entire wound track. Penetration is outlined in green.

Shot 3 - Buffalo Bore 158 +P (Part #20A). Impacted the block at 1190 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.0" and was recovered at 0.444" average diameter and 125.0gr weight. Severe fragmentation was encountered through the entire wound track. Penetration is outlined in blue.

Sundles · May 5, 2007, 12:02 PM

Pretty darn vicious when fired from a four inch barrel, no?

The 125gr. Buffalo Bore load couldnt have framented too badly as it went 16 inches deep and only lost 7 grs. of wieght. This bullet is the Gold Dot LV. (low velocity)

Thanks JE223.

351 WINCHESTER · May 5, 2007, 11:59 PM

That ain't bad for a .38. The Buffalo Bore is bordering or .357 performance, with less recoil and muzzle blast. How do they do it? "Secret's in the sauce."

Jim March · May 6, 2007, 12:53 AM

Among other issues, the fact that the Gold Dot is holding together when this severely "overdriven" is pretty cool. Like Tim says, 7 grains loss ain't a big deal when you consider what's being asked of the slug.

The Federal in comparison to both looks to be junk. Sure, it'll "work", but there's no standard for +P+ pressure so unless your gun is really a 357 that's got to be a concern. It's losing mass like crazy, if it hits a barrier first God only knows what'll happen and it has nowhere near the energy of either Buffbore load...and the 158 is kicking it's butt in that department and sending it running home to mama.

wcwhitey · May 6, 2007, 07:50 AM

The BB's are pushing some nice velocities. They are leaving the +P+ in the dust. I like what I see. Knocking on .357 velocities, 9mm easily. Once agiain, great work JE.

Gordon · May 6, 2007, 11:58 AM

.38spl from 4" barrel = great killer! Thanks for the confirmation!

Ultima-Ratio · June 2, 2007, 04:36 AM

I'm sensing an affiliation between Buffalo Bore and 351?

Not that it really matters because everyone likes to see gel test results!

I'm wondering if using the four layers of denim as sort of standarized by DiFabio at Ammo Lab (back when) would effect the results?

The Gold Dots are an excellent choice and likely wouldn't be "plugged" by the denim....SWAG?

Including DT brand into this equation would have been interesting IMHO.

May 5, 2007, 11:59 PM	#3
351 WINCHESTER Member Join Date: March 19, 2007 Location: NE FL Posts: 2,025	That ain't bad for a .38. The Buffalo Bore is bordering or .357 performance, with less recoil and muzzle blast. How do they do it? "Secret's in the sauce." __________________ "Beware the man who wears a belt and suspenders"

May 6, 2007, 12:53 AM	#4
Jim March Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 8,758	Among other issues, the fact that the Gold Dot is holding together when this severely "overdriven" is pretty cool. Like Tim says, 7 grains loss ain't a big deal when you consider what's being asked of the slug. The Federal in comparison to both looks to be junk. Sure, it'll "work", but there's no standard for +P+ pressure so unless your gun is really a 357 that's got to be a concern. It's losing mass like crazy, if it hits a barrier first God only knows what'll happen and it has nowhere near the energy of either Buffbore load...and the 158 is kicking it's butt in that department and sending it running home to mama. __________________ Jim March TFL Alumnus Equal Rights for CCW Home Page http://www.equalccw.com Airplane Pictures

May 6, 2007, 07:50 AM	#5
wcwhitey Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Posts: 969	The BB's are pushing some nice velocities. They are leaving the +P+ in the dust. I like what I see. Knocking on .357 velocities, 9mm easily. Once agiain, great work JE. __________________ "When ships were wood and men were iron"

June 2, 2007, 04:36 AM	#7
Ultima-Ratio Member Join Date: March 16, 2004 Location: anchorage alaska Posts: 240	Please pardon my pessimism but- I'm sensing an affiliation between Buffalo Bore and 351? Not that it really matters because everyone likes to see gel test results! I'm wondering if using the four layers of denim as sort of standarized by DiFabio at Ammo Lab (back when) would effect the results? The Gold Dots are an excellent choice and likely wouldn't be "plugged" by the denim....SWAG? Including DT brand into this equation would have been interesting IMHO.

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May 5, 2007, 12:02 PM	#2
Sundles Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Posts: 236	Pretty darn vicious when fired from a four inch barrel, no? The 125gr. Buffalo Bore load couldnt have framented too badly as it went 16 inches deep and only lost 7 grs. of wieght. This bullet is the Gold Dot LV. (low velocity) Thanks JE223.

May 6, 2007, 11:58 AM	#6
Gordon Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Location: central Kali. Posts: 5,098	.38spl from 4" barrel = great killer! Thanks for the confirmation!