Underwood

[Boattale]

Does anyone have experience with Underwood .38 special ammunition? I recently bought some 125 grain +p Underwood JHP with a very high advertised velocity. Sounds good, maybe too good. Bought it for a 2" Model 60.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[Obturation]

Underwood is a good company, they test their 10mm in a 6 " barrel so it's a bit slower from a 4.6" but it's been consistent and good quality on everything I've bought from them.
Actually my g20 is loaded with their 165 grain gold dot loading right now.
I would expect lower velocity from your 2" barrel but I don't know what they tested with.

 

[2ndamd]

Good company and ammunition.

The 38 special hard cast 158 grn +p round I tested out of a 4 inch k frame was a bit slower than the advertised velocity. I have heard that from others that have tested their 38 special loads as well. So, I think they are using a 6 inch barrel gun to test.
Not a deal breaker. I still use this ammo and consider it every bit as good as buffalo bore ammo, which is quite a bit more expensive than the Underwood offerings.
I feel in 38 special BB and Underwood are THEE ammo to load!
Great ammo!

 

[Antihero]

I've tried the 9mm outdoorsnan and the 38special outdoorsman loads.

Very underwhelming, both were pretty inaccurate

 

[dickydalton]

They claim 1200 FPS on their 125 hollow points and they chronoed 1187 out of my 2.25" SP101.

 

[Boattale]

They claime 1200 FPS on their 125 hollow points and they chronoed 1187 out of my 2.25" SP101.

That is impressive.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[roscoe]

Good ammo and much cheaper than BB.

 

[Blue Brick]

We use a 4" barrel in .38Spl to measure velocity, with the exception of the 158gr Kieth-type where we use a 6".

Yes, all of our .38Spl standard and +P loads are within SAAMI specs for pressure and length.

-Email from Underwood

 

[Pat Riot]

If this is the ammo you are inquiring about:
https://www.underwoodammo.com/products/38-special-100-grain-xtreme-defender?variant=18785699954745

I don’t know it’s velocity out of my revolvers but I know how it patterns...like a 12 gauge at 30 yards. It is not accurate from my 3 S&W J-frames. It’s not accurate from my S&W 327 NG. I got fair accuracy from my S&W model 19 with a 6” barrel.

Would I buy it again? Heck no!

 

[walterelm]

... but I know how it patterns...like a 12 gauge at 30 yards. It is not accurate from my 3 S&W J-frames. ....

Do you have any ammo which is accurate from your 3 S&W J- frames?

 

[Pat Riot]

Do you have any ammo which is accurate from your 3 S&W J- frames?

Absolutely. Hornady American Gunner is most accurate in all my guns. Individual guns like Hornady Critical Defense, Federal HST and Federal HST Low Recoil and Remington Golden Saber.

 

[1942bull]

I have Underwood Underwood 9mm Extreme Defender and 380 APC Extreme Penetrator going back to 2014.I also Have used the same by Lehigh Defense I have never had any issue with either brand. I do perceive that the Underwood is a bit hotter than the Lehigh. As for chronograph velocities it is best to average results from 20 fired rounds in the same conditions at the same time. Chronograph are influenced by a variety of factors lime temperature and humidity. I do not give it much thought because if a 1200 FPS rating tests consistently lower by say 100 FPS it is not going to be a meaningful difference unless you are shooting at long distances.

 

[2ndamd]

No accuracy issues in the 38 special +p 158 grn loadings I tested. Both the hp or the hard cast loads were powerful and accurate.

I cannot speak to the 125 grn +p load.

 

[Boattale]

If this is the ammo you are inquiring about:
https://www.underwoodammo.com/products/38-special-100-grain-xtreme-defender?variant=18785699954745

I don’t know it’s velocity out of my revolvers but I know how it patterns...like a 12 gauge at 30 yards. It is not accurate from my 3 S&W J-frames. It’s not accurate from my S&W 327 NG. I got fair accuracy from my S&W model 19 with a 6” barrel.

Would I buy it again? Heck no!

Nope. 125 grain +p .38 special.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I tried some 140 gr 10mm Extreme Penetrators. Advertised velocity was 1500 fps. They averaged at 1507 fps from a 5" barrel I believe. Very accurate and consistent ammo.