chrisf8657
Member
Like some, I'm after hotter rounds that give the 38 Special more oomph than standard factory ammo. You basically have 3 choices in this arena: Handloading, Buffalo Bore and Doubletap.
I first discovered Doubletap awhile back. I was amazed at the velocity for his 38 Special's. But one thing kept nagging me: The recoil felt the same as most standard factory loads. Common sense tells us you need more powder for faster velocity (usually) = more recoil.
After wondering for awhile, I finally had a trusted friend with 35+ years of experience in handloading do a chronograph test for me. 5 bullets of 5 different lots each (25 bullets total for each load) were all tested. Here are the results:
All testing was done with a S&W Model 60 3 inch.
Doubletap Ammunition
125g Speer Gold Dot LV +P
Claimed Velocity (from Website): Velocity: 1175fps / 4" Ruger GP-100
1.875" bbl S&W - 1100fps
Actual Results:
987fps, 26SD, 87 ES Average (no tested rounds over 1000fps)
Result: MAJOR FAIL - Not anywhere near claimed velocity, wide spread
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
125g Speer Gold Dot LV +P
Claimed Velocity (from Website): 3 inch—1180 fps
Actual Results:
1,228fps, 11SD, 28ES Average
Result: MAJOR PASS - As advertised, infact, even faster, very accurate
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
158g Soft Cast Keith-Style Lead HP +P
Claimed Velcity (from Website): 3 inch—1143 fps
Actual Results:
1,161fps, 13SD, 42ES Average
Result: MAJOR PASS - As advertised, infact, even faster
As you can see from the testing, and corroborated by another poster's previous chronograph results of Doubletap Ammo (search forums), Doubletap is infact claiming velocities that are not delivered. While there is variations in different weapons and barrel lengths, a variation as wide as almost 120fps+ obviously shows false claims. Many posters here and elsewhere have been suspicous of the claims of Doubletap, and apparently rightly so. Mike Mcnett no longer answers emails or even postal letters, including those asking for comment about the results. Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore always answeres questions via email, and stands behind his product, and based on unbiased testing done here, is selling a genuine product. Case measurements done also show that Tim's brass is the most uniform.
I would suggest those of you who bought your 38 Special's from Doubletap to ask for a refund as you obviously aren't getting what you were told you were getting.
However, the Doubletap ammunition is very attractively priced, and may do well for several reasons, such as stockpiling or low-priced practice with premium bullets.
I post this as an answer to any of you who have had the same questions I have, and likewise, if any of you have some, feel free to ask.
I first discovered Doubletap awhile back. I was amazed at the velocity for his 38 Special's. But one thing kept nagging me: The recoil felt the same as most standard factory loads. Common sense tells us you need more powder for faster velocity (usually) = more recoil.
After wondering for awhile, I finally had a trusted friend with 35+ years of experience in handloading do a chronograph test for me. 5 bullets of 5 different lots each (25 bullets total for each load) were all tested. Here are the results:
All testing was done with a S&W Model 60 3 inch.
Doubletap Ammunition
125g Speer Gold Dot LV +P
Claimed Velocity (from Website): Velocity: 1175fps / 4" Ruger GP-100
1.875" bbl S&W - 1100fps
Actual Results:
987fps, 26SD, 87 ES Average (no tested rounds over 1000fps)
Result: MAJOR FAIL - Not anywhere near claimed velocity, wide spread
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
125g Speer Gold Dot LV +P
Claimed Velocity (from Website): 3 inch—1180 fps
Actual Results:
1,228fps, 11SD, 28ES Average
Result: MAJOR PASS - As advertised, infact, even faster, very accurate
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
158g Soft Cast Keith-Style Lead HP +P
Claimed Velcity (from Website): 3 inch—1143 fps
Actual Results:
1,161fps, 13SD, 42ES Average
Result: MAJOR PASS - As advertised, infact, even faster
As you can see from the testing, and corroborated by another poster's previous chronograph results of Doubletap Ammo (search forums), Doubletap is infact claiming velocities that are not delivered. While there is variations in different weapons and barrel lengths, a variation as wide as almost 120fps+ obviously shows false claims. Many posters here and elsewhere have been suspicous of the claims of Doubletap, and apparently rightly so. Mike Mcnett no longer answers emails or even postal letters, including those asking for comment about the results. Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore always answeres questions via email, and stands behind his product, and based on unbiased testing done here, is selling a genuine product. Case measurements done also show that Tim's brass is the most uniform.
I would suggest those of you who bought your 38 Special's from Doubletap to ask for a refund as you obviously aren't getting what you were told you were getting.
However, the Doubletap ammunition is very attractively priced, and may do well for several reasons, such as stockpiling or low-priced practice with premium bullets.
I post this as an answer to any of you who have had the same questions I have, and likewise, if any of you have some, feel free to ask.
