Taurus Judge Velocities

[huntincowboy]

My dad has a Taurus Judge with the 3" chambers and a 3 or 4 inch barrel (I can't remember). I was wondering if any of you guys have chronied any of your reloads and seen how much they differ from published data with the short barrel and long distance to forcing cone. I know it has to be lower but I don't have any idea how much

 

[huntincowboy]

Well if no one has done this, I guess I'll post up some data when I get a chrony I think the data could be quite useful for some

 

[suemarkp]

I've not done it, but I'd be a little afraid. You need to get the chronograph a bit away from the muzzle so blast doesn't mess up the readings. But the further you move it the larger diameter the shot cloud has become, especially in the judge. Don't want to shoot your chrony or the sky screens.

I'd probably focus on buckshot first, especially the federal load, as it has a rather tight pattern. I'd watch out for the #6 and smaller shot, as those clouds get big fast.

Most things I've read say the Federal buckshot loads (the 4 pellet 000 ones intended for the Judge) come out around 850 fps, even though the box says 1200. I think 1200 will take a rifle length barrel. But I've seen one or two tests where they said it was 11xx fps. Whenever it says 1200, I know they are just repeating what the box says. But 11xx sounds like an actual measurement.

I'd also consider modifying some loads with epoxy or something to keep the pellets together, but the weight and powder stay the same. Would probably be a more accurate measure of velocity. Any data you can post would be welcome.

 

[huntincowboy]

I guess I should have clarified but I'm interested in 45 Colt velocities. I'm going to build a chrony as soon as I can get the parts in and get the free time, so it may be some time, but I'll post my data when I get it

 

[jim8115]

Here is what I have, hope it helps
From a 3"chamber 3" Judge
250 Gr cast 7.5 Gr Unique 748 AVG

From a S&W Govenor ( very similiar to a 3" Judge)
250 Cast 7.0 W231 AVG 679

For comparison
From a 7 1/2" Ruger super redhawk
250 Gr Cast 8.5 Unique 1008 AVG
250 Gr cast 7.5 W231 907 AVG

Hope this helps. I know the loads arent side-by-side comparisons, but maybe it will give you an idea.

It seems to me that the 410/45 LC guns are inefficient when shooting the 45’s
I realize i am comparing a 7 1/2 inch to a 3" , but in my 38's, for example, I only lose 50 FPS between a 4" mod 10 and a 1.8" 642, half the barrel length...about the same difference as the judge and the ruger,percentage -wise.

All that being said, the Judge is the one gun I regret selling. If you want to have some fun, shoot some wet phone books with the federal that has 4 000 buckshot pellets in it. i was amazed at the penetration. They went almost as deep as a .38

Plus as far as self defense goes, I am pretty sure a 250 grain slug at 700 FPS would be pretty effective

JIM

 

[huntincowboy]

Thanks Jim that info is very helpful. We were just shooting one day and wondered. I have a Ruger Blackhawk 45 colt with a 7 1/2 " barrel and we could tell a little difference with the same loads. I think the judge is really fun to shoot and as far as self defense goes any of the intended self defense ammo is gonna be good. Those buckshot make holes like any 380 or 9mm will at close range

 

[jim8115]

I suspect some of it may be a chamber / throat size issue. Both the Judge and the Gov we had leaded the barrels horribly when shooting 45 colts. I shoot the exact same bullets from my super redhawk at velocites from 800 all the way to near 1400 with no leading.

JIM

 

[hang fire]

Have ran lots of .45 Colt 20:1 cast boolits through wifes Judge and no leading yet.

 

[303tom]

My little brother is getting one of these things..............

 

[huntincowboy]

They're a ton of fun! Good for snakes too.