I’ve been developing some SD/hunting type loads for accuracy in my revolvers. I was curious how much velocity would decrease when using the 2” barrel. I finally got a chance to chrono them today. The guns used were a 2” King Cobra and a 4” Python. Both are new production. Also used was a 20” Henry.
All brass was Starline. .357 magnum was trimmed to 1.275. 38 special brass trimmed to 1.146. All primers were Federal 100.
.357
125 grain XTP 7.0 grains N320
2” - 1104 mild
4” - 1130 smooth
.357
125 grain XTP 13.7 grains N105
2” -1294 snappy
4” -1439 easily controllable
20” - 1958
.357
125 grain Golden Sabre 7.3 grains N320
2” - 1142 smooth
4” - 1206 soft
.38 special
130 grain HST 5.0 grains CFE-Pistol
2” - 964 mild
4” - 1030 soft
.38 special
135 grain Gold Dot 7.4 grains 3N37
2” - 1019 mild
4” - 1040 soft
.357
140 grain FTX 12.5 N105
2” - 1362 snappy
4” - 1466 slightly snappy
20” - 1824
.357
158 grain XTP 12.0 N105
2” - 1211 snappy
4” - 1331 slightly snappy
The Python absorbs perceived recoil like a sponge. The King Cobra is easier to manage with milder stuff but doesn’t give up as much velocity to the Python as I expected. In fact, with milder loads using faster burning powder, you can see that the difference is negligible. The slower burning N105 takes better advantage of the extra 2” of barrel length.
* In previous tests, I’ve discovered that powders in the 2400, AA#9, N105 burn rate actually produce better velocity in my 4” barrel than H110/W296. It’s not until I use a carbine length barrel that I see the drastic velocity increase with W296. I suspect 6”-10” is where W296 might start to show better performance than the mid-magnum burn rate powders.
All brass was Starline. .357 magnum was trimmed to 1.275. 38 special brass trimmed to 1.146. All primers were Federal 100.
.357
125 grain XTP 7.0 grains N320
2” - 1104 mild
4” - 1130 smooth
.357
125 grain XTP 13.7 grains N105
2” -1294 snappy
4” -1439 easily controllable
20” - 1958
.357
125 grain Golden Sabre 7.3 grains N320
2” - 1142 smooth
4” - 1206 soft
.38 special
130 grain HST 5.0 grains CFE-Pistol
2” - 964 mild
4” - 1030 soft
.38 special
135 grain Gold Dot 7.4 grains 3N37
2” - 1019 mild
4” - 1040 soft
.357
140 grain FTX 12.5 N105
2” - 1362 snappy
4” - 1466 slightly snappy
20” - 1824
.357
158 grain XTP 12.0 N105
2” - 1211 snappy
4” - 1331 slightly snappy
The Python absorbs perceived recoil like a sponge. The King Cobra is easier to manage with milder stuff but doesn’t give up as much velocity to the Python as I expected. In fact, with milder loads using faster burning powder, you can see that the difference is negligible. The slower burning N105 takes better advantage of the extra 2” of barrel length.
* In previous tests, I’ve discovered that powders in the 2400, AA#9, N105 burn rate actually produce better velocity in my 4” barrel than H110/W296. It’s not until I use a carbine length barrel that I see the drastic velocity increase with W296. I suspect 6”-10” is where W296 might start to show better performance than the mid-magnum burn rate powders.
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