Standard velocity testing

[cocojo]

Tested some standard velocity ammo for expansion and penetration in wet pack. I tested the 38 special and 32 Mag. Guns used were S&W 442 and S&W 432 Mag. I used four layers of cotton over soaked newpaper.
Here are the results:
In order of depth:

38 Special Winchester Silvertip 110 non +P 4 1/2 penetration/No expansion

38 Special Federal Nyclad 125 HP Non +P 7 inch Penetration/ Expansion.495
This nyclad round was the Only round which expanded and it was only partially expanded.

38 Special (reload) 135 Speer GDHP winchester 231 4.5 grains 9 1/2 penetration and no expansion.

32 mag Georgia Arms 85HP Hornaday 10 inch penetration no expansion

38 Special Speer 125 GD ( 53722 load) Non +P 11 1/2 inches penetration
and no expansion.

38 Special 158 SWC standard velocity 12 inch penetration and no expansion.
I used this load for depth control purposes. Did have a flatter nose area.

32 Mag Federal 85 HP 14 inch penetration and no expansion. This load penetrated the most and dented the wood I had at the bottom of my barrel.

There you have it, so if you use standard velocity 38 instead of +P's either use the federal 125HP Chief load or just a Wadcutter or SWC load. Not much expands anyway.

I don't know what the depth is for Gell v. Wet pack but if the SWC went 12 inches in wet pack, that has to be at least 16 to 18 inches in gell.

I also tested some 45 loads from a Kimber 3 inch. See autopistol section.

 

[Slamfire]

Your data is interesting, thanks for publishing. But I recall reading that wet pack was good for estimating penetration, but I don't think it is necessarily the correct medium to make judgments about expansion.

One gentleman on this forum posts results fired in ballistic gelatin. That is the “best” approximation to date of a tissue stimulant. Maybe they should add some pork rib bones in the stuff and see what happens.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

If you're looking for a hot load for a steel frame smith or other quality gun, try the 110 gr. +P+ "Treasury Load". I've clocked them out of my 640 at almost 1200fps. They expand very well, but penetration, by some accounts is lacking.

 

[cocojo]

On the contrary 351, I am looking for a standard velocity load that works in my Colt Cobra 2nd generation. I may look into the new buffalo loads, but I have to tell you the federal nyclad 125 non +P looked good at standard velocity and I have about 10 boxes of that load.
I do own that treasury load that you stated, I have about 8 boxes at home. Carried that load for years when revlovers were it in police work.