Speer Gold Dot +P 125 gr .38 out of a 2"?

[1KPerDay]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/38special2inchbarrel.html

Shot 5 - Buffalo Bore Ammunition 125gr +P Speer Gold Dot. Impacted at 1091 ft/sec, penetrated to 12.9" and expanded to 0.543" average diameter.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Various .38 Special JHPs.html

Shot 1 - 125gr +P Speer Gold Dot. Bullet penetrated to 9.5" and expanded to 0.511" average diameter.

From what I've read, 12" in gelatin is considered "effective" or "adequate".

Is the BB load just faster? I just bought a small box of Speer's gold dot load because they were the only .38s in stock and I wanted to try them... but now I'm wondering if I should just shoot them up at water jugs for fun and carry the remainder of my BB non +P 158 LSWCHPs. BTW can anyone track down that particular BB load at brassfetcher? I'd like to see the results but I couldn't find it.

thanks

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

I think the short barrel loads are just loaded to slower velocities to get better expansion out of short barrels, from what I can tell reading this, they don't seem to be a half bad defense load even out of a short barrel, I could be wrong so someone please correct me if I am

 

[coach22]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Buffalo Bore 158gr (non +P) SWC-HC.html

Many thanks to Buffalo Bore Ammunition for providing the ammunition used in this test.

Cartridge : Buffalo Bore 158gr Soft Lead SWC-HC (Part # 20C)

Firearm : Smith and Wesson 642 (1 7/8" barrel length)

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 10.6cm @ 611 ft/sec)

Shot 1 - Impacted at 883 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.399" average diameter. Bullet experienced moderate fragmentation, with the individual fragments penetrating deeply enough to be potentially effective.

Shot 2 - Impacted at 899 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.429" average diameter. Bullet experienced moderate fragmentation, with the individual fragments penetrating deeply enough to be potentially effective.

Shot 3 - Impacted at 925 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.389" average diameter. Bullet experienced moderate fragmentation, with the individual fragments penetrating deeply enough to be potentially effective.

Shot 4 - Impacted at 946 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.400" average diameter. Bullet experienced moderate fragmentation, with the individual fragments penetrating deeply enough to be potentially effective.

Shot 5 - Impacted at 878 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.437" average diameter. Bullet experienced moderate fragmentation, with the individual fragments penetrating deeply enough to be potentially effective.

 

[Lone Star]

Anyone have similar data for Remington and other brand lead HP's?

Thanks,

Lone Star

 

[jaydubya]

Again, www.brassfetcher.com. For convenience, choose "Old Format" or whatever, .38sp, test 2 of 158gr LSWCHP. As I recall, this was the Remington version from a snubby. Very impressive, which is why it is in my Airweight 637 (that and Stephen Camp's impression of this load).

Cordially, Jack

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks coach. Impressive stuff... guess I'll stick with the BB load for carry. It sure hurts to practice with, though.

 

[hoptob]

I'll stick with the BB load for carry. It sure hurts to practice with, though.

Just keep in mind that BB ammo in brassfetcher test above (product #20C) is a standard pressure (non +P) 38 special load. It's different from BB famed 38 spl +P load (#20A) though both use same 158 gr. soft lead HP bullet.

Mike

 

[1KPerDay]

Just keep in mind that BB ammo in brassfetcher test above (product #20C) is a standard pressure (non +P) 38 special load.

Yeah, I know. It doesn't really matter to me if it says +P on it or not; in fact I prefer it doesn't as I'm shooting them out of an older airweight 37.

+P or not, those test figures are impressive. :bj:

 

[hoptob]

True, bj, 900 fps from an airweight is impressive. I don't even want more in mine. I was just saying that it's a different load, that's all.



Mike

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm confused... different from what?

I carry NON +P BB soft lead swchp in my 37, and that's the load coach posted above, isn't it?

Here's what I said in my first post...

I'm wondering if I should just shoot them up at water jugs for fun and carry the remainder of my BB non +P 158 LSWCHPs. BTW can anyone track down that particular BB load at brassfetcher? I'd like to see the results but I couldn't find it.

In any case, thanks to all for the info.

 

[coach22]

1KPerDay
Yes, I posted the Brassfetcher test of the Non Plus P 158's
in response to your original post.

P.S. If you want a Non Plus P 125, BB has one of those too.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=112

Item 20E utilizes a Jacketed Hollow Point 125 gr. Jacketed hollow nose bullet. This bullet is designed to expand at low speeds and has no problem opening up at considerably less velocity than our advertised 900 fps, from two inch barrels. Penetration in human tissue is roughly 12 inches. Note my test velocities below from real world, "over the counter" revolvers - NOT TEST BARRELS!

1. S&W mod. 60, 2 inch barrel - 921 fps (235 ft. lbs.)

I load my 340 PD with the BB +P 125's.