Ballistics: .38 Special FMJ (non +P)

[doc540]

At the muzzle:

Winchester (WB) 130grn 800fps 185ft/lb

S&B 158grn 889/278 (!)

Federal American Eagle 130grn 810/189

MagTech 130grn 800/185

Fiocchi 130grn 950/260 (!)

Remington UMC 130grn 790/173

PMC Bronze 132grn 840/207

For those looking for "lower recoil" range loads, note the European rounds are significantly hotter than U.S. ammo.

Again, these are .38 Special, non +P, FMJ loads

 

[Oyeboten]

In what Barrel Length?


Far as I recall reading, Ballisics for .38 S & W Special, in 1898, was 158 grn RNL, 950 fps, 24.5 grns 3f BP, 6 in Barrel.


I love 'progress'...


Lol...

 

[msiley]

note the European rounds are significantly hotter than U.S. ammo.

I noticed the same thing with .357 mag.

Note: (not sure on barrel lengths)
Wolf 158 grain SJHP .357 Mag. = 900 ft lbs! (think of this out of a carbine!)
Fiocci 148 grain JHP = 720 ft lbs.
S&B 158 grain SP = 683 ft lbs.

Not too shabby.

 

[doc540]

whatever length they use for their website ballistics data

It's just a general snapsot of ballistics, not a whitepaper.

 

[woad_yurt]

Isn't there a standard 7" unvented barrel they use for these figures? That's what a guy from Hodgdon's said is the standard for handguns.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

doc540,
I wouldn't count on those Fiocchi rounds being standard pressure. They don't mark their ammo +P, they just call them .38 S&W Special. Also, while US ammo makers keep the pressures of their .38 Special +P ammo under the SAAMI recommended 18,500 PSI European manufacturers use the CIP standard of 21,500 PSI. (or 21,800 PSI)

 

[doc540]

"doc540,
I wouldn't count on those Fiocchi rounds being standard pressure. They don't mark their ammo +P, they just call them .38 S&W Special. Also, while US ammo makers keep the pressures of their .38 Special +P ammo under the SAAMI recommended 18,500 PSI European manufacturers use the CIP standard of 21,500 PSI. (or 21,800 PSI)"

Yep, I should've made that point more clear. I tried using the "bold" feature to point it out, but you're right. They don't label them +P, but they're hotter'n a firecracker.

 

[Steve C]

S&B uses a 190 mm barrel (7.48") and they don't say if its vented to simulate a revolver so I see nothing exceptional about their listed velocity.

Fiocchi is loaded a bit warmer than the typical US manufactured ammo and their Italian manufactured 9mm that I've run over my chrono has been close enough to the listed velocity that the slight difference can be attributed to a different firearm (FWIW recorded velocities where always faster). Velocity really doesn't tell you anything about the pressure unless you know what the powder being used is. I'd bet they're only at the top of the SAAMI pressure for standard loads for the Fiocchi ammo loaded in the US.