.455_Hunter
Member
Greetings!
There is always a back and forth discussion about whether ammo companies continue to detune there products over liability concerns, etc.
Here is my input for the debate…
While I don’t have access to much vintage .38 special ammo, I did happen to a have full box of Remington’s (now discontinued ) +P loading of a 158 gr. LRN made in 1977 (box date code). The best comparison would be to the current +P loading of a 158 gr. LSWC-HP, bought from Bass Pro Shops in 2007.
Here are the results, out of my 1942 production Colt Official Police with the 6” heavy barrel:
1977 Remington .38 Special +P (158 gr. LRN)
Average Velocity (3 shots) = 1007 fps
Average Energy (3 shots) = 356 fpe
2007 Remington .38 Special +P (158 gr. LSWC-HP)
Average Velocity (3 shots) = 1000 fps
Average Energy (3 shots) = 351 fpe
Surprise!
1007 fps vs 1000 fps
It appears that Remington has maintained the exact performance of their +P lead loads very well over the past 30 years. Any difference between them is purely academic due to the low number of shots fired. Out course different ammo lots/guns could yield different results, but that’s OK.
Please comment!
I know somebody will complain that I should have done the testing in a 2” j-frame because nobody uses 6” .38 revolvers anymore. Funny thing is that I DO carry my 6” .38 for real defensive use.
Take Care,
Hunter
There is always a back and forth discussion about whether ammo companies continue to detune there products over liability concerns, etc.
Here is my input for the debate…
While I don’t have access to much vintage .38 special ammo, I did happen to a have full box of Remington’s (now discontinued ) +P loading of a 158 gr. LRN made in 1977 (box date code). The best comparison would be to the current +P loading of a 158 gr. LSWC-HP, bought from Bass Pro Shops in 2007.
Here are the results, out of my 1942 production Colt Official Police with the 6” heavy barrel:
1977 Remington .38 Special +P (158 gr. LRN)
Average Velocity (3 shots) = 1007 fps
Average Energy (3 shots) = 356 fpe
2007 Remington .38 Special +P (158 gr. LSWC-HP)
Average Velocity (3 shots) = 1000 fps
Average Energy (3 shots) = 351 fpe
Surprise!
1007 fps vs 1000 fps
It appears that Remington has maintained the exact performance of their +P lead loads very well over the past 30 years. Any difference between them is purely academic due to the low number of shots fired. Out course different ammo lots/guns could yield different results, but that’s OK.
Please comment!
I know somebody will complain that I should have done the testing in a 2” j-frame because nobody uses 6” .38 revolvers anymore. Funny thing is that I DO carry my 6” .38 for real defensive use.
Take Care,
Hunter