Subnose perfomance drop...?

[whm1974]

I was reading the Wikipedia entry on the .32 H&R Magnum and click on a few links and notice from this one:
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/32hr.html
That going from 4" barrel to 2" one that there is decent drop in in fps by ~200 fps with the shorten barrel.

Those loads from Buffalo Bore do way better and have reduced flash but they use heavier bullets:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=90

The moral of this I'm getting is with 2" to 3", use defense loads with heavier bullets!!!

Am I mistaken here?

 

[AK103K]

Buy what you like and learn to shoot it, and to the point that you dont have to think about shooting it.

No magic bullets or loads will make up for your lack of skills.

 

[WrongHanded]

The moral of this I'm getting is with 2" to 3", use defense loads with heavier bullets!!!

Am I mistaken here?

What I think I've observed in a few years of reloading for magnum revolvers, is that the slower powders need a longish barrel to be truly effective. For example, I can get better velocities with 2400 from a 4" .357 mag than with 300-MP using a 158gr bullet. Put those loads down a 6" barrel, and that changes.

Also, I've found that the slower powders can make more from a heavy for caliber bullet in a shorter barrel. From a 4.62" barrel to a 5.5" barrel with a 300gr .44 mag load, I see only 14fps difference. But I suspect it would be a bigger difference with a 240gr bullet (based on web searches, BBTI etc).

Of course this is far from conclusive proof. But I think, generally speaking what you say is correct. I believe it is likely due to the time the bullet is in the barrel. Or rather, that longer bullets take a little more pressure to get moving down the barrel initially, and a little more to keep them accelerating. So the powder burn is more efficiently used in a shorter barrel when the bullet is heavier.

 

[whm1974]

Buy what you like and learn to shoot it, and to the point that you dont have to think about shooting it.

No magic bullets or loads will make up for your lack of skills.

I'm well aware of that!!!. Shot Placement is King!!! I just hope that I don't get another offer to respond with deadly force due to some stupid person giving me damn good reason to do...

That is the very first time that ever happen to me before!!!

 

[whm1974]

I do read an article from a person who claimed to be former LEO from the 70's who made the statement that he carried .38 Special 200 grain bullet loads. Outside of companies that offer custom loadings and those sell such heavy bullets for reloading, I never even seen such ammo offered anywhere... Only read about them...

Were such a heavy load actually used by police?

 

[whm1974]

Here is the article I mention:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/200-grain-38-special-super-police-cartridge/

 

[stonebuster]

I do read an article from a person who claimed to be former LEO from the 70's who made the statement that he carried .38 Special 200 grain bullet loads. Outside of companies that offer custom loadings and those sell such heavy bullets for reloading, I never even seen such ammo offered anywhere... Only read about them...

Were such a heavy load actually used by police?

Yes. These were used by a family member with the state police.

 

[whm1974]

So how come this loading is not offered by companies anymore? Shown by proper studies not as effective as thought? Stuck in 16", 18" barrels?