Super Vel ammo generates a lot of interest on this and other forums, so I did this test to compare two boxes of 9mm 90 grain JHP. One box is the original Super Vel, the other almost identical looking box is from H & H Cartridge Corp. Results will be posted here and on the Sig forum.
I'm not an expert on the history of Super Vel, but I was a user of the original ammo while it was still in production. Previous testing of one box of original .38 Special and one box of H & H Super Vel .357 mag lead me to believe the later ammo, made after the Super Vel name was sold, may not be loaded to the same levels as the originals. Below are pictures of the front and back of the two boxes, with the original Super Vel on top. The only differences in the front of the boxes is the later H & H box has the 'circle R' registered trade mark notation.
On the next picture you can see the back of the boxes, with the original showing it was Super Vel made in Shelbyville, Ind. The second box is later and shows H & H of Greensburg, Ind.
The test gun was a S&W Model 5946, muzzle was 12 feet from chrono, and temperatures were high 50's. In five shot strings the original Super Vel averaged
1409 fps with energy of 397. The H & H Super Vel averaged
1325 fps with energy of 351.
I expected the original Super Vel would be hotter, but I was a little surprised at how relatively close they were, thinking the gap would be greater.