Ok, a question

Speed has nothing to do with the difference in the entry hole as the bullets would not yet have expanded.

Shoot the Smith at paper. If the bullets are keyholing, that would explain the difference.

Speed does indeed make a difference in the entry hole. Not sure that was the case here, but a slower moving bullet tends to "tear" through while the higher velocity bullet sort of "drills."

Try this on target paper, and there is a noticeable difference in the bullet hole. Whether this was your case or not, I can't say.

Bob Wright

BobWright said:

Speed does indeed make a difference in the entry hole. Not sure that was the case here, but a slower moving bullet tends to "tear" through while the higher velocity bullet sort of "drills."

Try this on target paper, and there is a noticeable difference in the bullet hole. Whether this was your case or not, I can't say.

Bob Wright

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Fresh backing boards (cardboard, etc.) also help give cleaner punch holes.

If the Rossi is a 2” barrel(assuming), I've found that the extra one inch makes a difference.
My experience between my Rossi 68 3”(.38) and my Charter Undercover 2”(.38) , same ammo, the hollow points expanded much better thru the longer barrel.

BobWright said:

Speed does indeed make a difference in the entry hole. Not sure that was the case here, but a slower moving bullet tends to "tear" through while the higher velocity bullet sort of "drills."

Try this on target paper, and there is a noticeable difference in the bullet hole. Whether this was your case or not, I can't say.

Bob Wright

Click to expand...

I agree but, we are talking about maybe 50 FPS difference between the barrel lengths he mentioned. 2 1/2”, 3” and 2 3/4”. I can’t imagine that making any difference in the appearance of the entry hole in aluminum.

My response was more directed towards this comment:

“So is the smith going faster so the round realy opens up quick or is The Ruger and Rossi going faster where the round does not have time to expand ?”

No matter the velocity, neither is “opening up” quicker before the bullet impacts something.

I’m not sure of the OP’s knowledge or experience. I have found people who believe a hollowpoint opens when it leaves the barrel. That misbelief would lead to the question asked.

My guess is the bullets are traveling a little slower out of the S&W.

My guess would be that since external ballistics is an inexact science, coupled with the fact that the target was not consistent, you received differing results that are probably not repeatable.

"External ballistics is an inexact science"? Compared to what? When it comes to stationary targets, or even targets moving in just two dimensions, I think that the Coastal Artillery would have been surprised to hear that. Even in, say, 1925.

PS - Maybe you meant terminal ballistics. That is different, and much more the issue here.

Monac said:

PS - Maybe you meant terminal ballistics.

Click to expand...

Yes, my mistake. Terminal ballistics, not external ballistics.

Barrel twist can be a part of it.

Sistema1927 said:

Yes, my mistake. Terminal ballistics, not external ballistics.

Click to expand...

Sorry to have nitpicked, Sistema. I should have assumed what you meant without comment. Thanks for being courteous. I guess I'm just a fan of the Coastal Artillery!

Why are you shooting an aluminum chair ?

Indeed! Now he doesn’t have anywhere to rest his aluminum can!