I was looking at ammo online and came across Wolf Gold 357 158gr SJHP @1607 FPS and 905 ME. Is this even possible? I tried to find out from Wolfs website what there test barrel was but there is nothing.

I was looking at ammo online and came across Wolf Gold 357 158gr SJHP @1607 FPS and 905 ME. Is this even possible? I tried to find out from Wolfs website what there test barrel was but there is nothing.

I'd be extremely surprised to find out the barrel was under 6".

Based on my handloading, I'd bet a quarter the barrel was at least 6", more likely 8", perhaps a test barrel rather than an actual revolver.

In a real 4" revolver, the speed would be much less.

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Science plus Art

I had a box or two of this ammo. Don't know about 1607 fps, but in my 4" GP100 it clocked 1218 fps with SD 49 and ES 128. ES was a bit overboard and primers looked like VW Bug after collision with a freight train. I did not buy any more of it.

Mike

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9x19, 9x29R, 9x33R, 10x22

That 1607 might have come from a 16+ inch Contender barrel or something, but not any pistol I've seen.

If a manufacturer doesn't tell you what the test barrel is, the info is useless.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Your 1200 fps results are comparible to Federal and WW ammo from back in the 70s. I would not care to use that ammo in a valued classic Smith but my wife's M19-2 snub has surely shot a bunch of it with no ill effects.
Dan

Dan,

1200 fps from a 4-incher is also below todays Remington, Speer and Federal factory loads not to mention handloads. I just don't really care for ammo with ES over 100.

Mike

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9x19, 9x29R, 9x33R, 10x22

I agree with you guys without a test barrel length the data is useless.

Mike,
Those ES don't get it for paper target work but considering the availability of ammo and the necessity for self defense, I can live with it as long as it feeds and functions every time. I doubt the aggressor will notice.

A 158gr at 1600fps? Maybe out of a rifle.

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Centennial Every Day

I have a hunch that a 1600 fps. 158 gr. .357 is possible from a 6" revolver, but it would take some doing. I'm thinking a fast gun, a hardcast lead gas checked bullet, and the right super hot load will get you there. I think it might even be possible with a jacketed bullet. I can get 1650+ fps. from my 5" 629 with hot loaded 165 gr. Sierra JHPs. I don't think it's a particularly fast gun either. Of course .44 magnum is a different caliber, so I might be wrong.

Flop, I agree with you, it should be possible. I've never gotten past 1400 fps with a 4-incher. But Buffalo Bore (who else ) has a 158 gr. JHP load on their web site - 19C. They clocked it at 1485 fps from a 4-incher and whooping 2153 fps from 18.5" Marlin. I am thinking this load should be close to 1600 in a 6-incher. Rumor mill has it that BB uses Lil'gun in this load.

Dan, agree 100%.

Mike

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9x19, 9x29R, 9x33R, 10x22

Wolf doesn't have a "Contact us" feature on their homepage. Try contacting the good folks at Prvi in Serbia for details, I believe that they are in fact the ones loading all the Wolf "Gold" ammo. Their rifle and handgun ammo sold under their own name is pretty good stuff, albeit with a reputation for running hot.