Any Short Barrel Velocity Data?

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm considering my next compact and I'm now interested in the .327 Magnum based on the velocity and energy data from a 3" tube. It looks like someone actually designed a cartridge for a short barrel as opposed to just adding more powder to an existing cartridge. So I started thinking...

We all have published data of the .357 Mag, 9mm, .40SW etc from 4,5 and 6 in barrels and we all know that these cartridges don't perform as well when shot from a 2" barrel. But does anyone have actually published velocity data from the common catridges for comparison? For instance, a 38 spl does not generate enough velocity from a 2" barrel to expand hollowpoints so I think a SWC is a better choice. What about the subcompact autos? How does the .40 and 9mm work from a 3" barrel?

.357 mag
38spl +p
9mm
.40 SW
.45 ACP
.45 GAP

Thanks
Lovesbeer99

 

[FranklyTodd]

I am interested in the data you seek as well. I believe the only reliable short-barrel data at this point is from Speer, which has rounds designed specifically for shorter barrels. Somebody credible (forget who) told me the figures on Speer's website for those rounds ARE for a 2" barrel.

See: http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

I'm wanting to try Gold Dot Short Barrel in both +P and .357 to compare. Both are supposedly somewhat lighter loads, faster burning (better for the shorter time bullet is in barrel), and lower flash. Unfortunately I can't find the .357s anywhere - local or online.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm even hoping that one of our online patrons has chrono'd these. I'm betting I can get a chrono and do this myself from what I have, and borrowing from some of my buddies. I had a 9mm snub nose revo, but sold it recently.

 

[woad_yurt]

Look at Buffalo Bore's site. Although their ammo is a bit hotter than most, they have comparisons of what their ammo will do in 2, 3 or 4 inch barrels.

For an idea about the difference barrel length can make:
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm

 

[jfh]

short-barreled revolver loads:

That was me, FranklyTodd--I've been chasing 2" barrel data for the last six months.

1. For revolvers, Speer's Gold Dot short barrel data is for / from 2" barrels.

2. Buffalo Bore has, as is pointed out above, tested their ammo in short barrels. It's true--their 158-gr. LSWC-HP 38'+P+' (20B/20) round averaged over 1000 fps from my 640 j-frame. It was a stout load, and noticably so different from my standard carry load--the Speer 38+P 135-gr. PD cartridge. But, that's not true of all their ammo--some of it is REALLY high-powered, and you need to be very skilled and well-acclimated to it to shoot it effectively from the small frames that usually accompany short barrels.

About semi-auto "short-barrel" velocities: Use google to look for gun tests of the compact / subcompact models in the calibre you're interested in. Keep in mind that barrel measurement in semiautos includes the chamber; in revolvers, it does not.

Because semiautos for defensive use cannot be tuned the way raceguns are--nor the way revolver cartridge loads can be tuned--the parameters for 'standard' ammunition are more fixed in the design. The .40 S&W was built, IIRC, around a 4" (semi-auto) barrel, and the cartridge manufacturers soon adapted to shorter barrels for the subcompact guns. Those barrels are "really" 3" and less, is my point.

Like you, Lovesbeer99, I'm interested in the 327 Federal Cartridge. I think that the initial loads and the cartridge design have been oriented to short barrels. Unlike the 357 magnum, it is NOT coming from a history starting with "Registered" Magnums with 8" barrels and the powders that work well in these.

The other issue to consider is simply bullet design. That has been revolutionized for handgun SD / HP bullets in the last fifteen years. FC and Speer seem to be at the front on this--but others may well have tweaked their bullet design to work better with short barrels; I'm not up to speed on factory ammo....

Jim H.

 

[westhope]

Here is some data I did with SW 317 22 (3 inch), SW442 32 H&R Mag (2 inch), SW 642 38 spec. (2 inch) to see the differences in my J frames:

After reviewing all this, I carry a 642 with Speer GDHP 135 +P's # 23921. I really liked my 432 but for me the 32 H&R Magnum was just not enough. It is really nice because the 32 Longs in it have very little recoil.

The attached files show the data I colected over my crono.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Thanks for all the data so far. I'll keep looking, but I'm really interested to see what the .327 Magnum will do in a 2" barrel.