“FBI Loads” in S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch

[38SPL HV]

I decided to chronograph Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP and Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (38G) out of my newly acquired S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch revolver. Curious to see how they would perform out of a 38 Special only revolver with a longer barrel (5 inch):

Firearm: S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch 38 Special
Time: 0700, 29 Aug 2022
Elevation: Approx 4,500 ft
Humidity: Approx 45%
(10 Shot string)

Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP
Hi 976 fps
Lo 916 fps
Avg 955 fps
ES 60
SD 16

Notes: modest gain in velocity likely due to shorter 38 Spl cylinder compared to my tests of this cartridge in Ruger 4 5/8 inch 357 Mag BH, and the slightly longer barrel length of the S&W HD (5 inch). ES and SD were in the ball park with my previous tests.

Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (38G)
Hi 947 fps
Lo 917 fps
Avg 931 fps
ES 30
SD 11

Notes: velocity improvement likely due to shorter cylinder, longer barrel. ES and SD pretty good and within approx range of previous “38G” tests.


Conclusion: I like the Remington load for its slightly greater velocity, but the Federal “38G” shoots more accurately for me. Both nice +P loads in the 5 inch S&W HD.

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow, good comparison between the two different loads and the slightly longer barrel.
Thank you for posting the data.

[bmcgilvray]

You mean that Heavy Duty didn't grenade?

Looks to be just about 20 fps faster than the same loades from a 4-inch Model 10.

[38SPL HV]

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

You mean that Heavy Duty didn't grenade?

Looks to be just about 20 fps faster than the same loades from a 4-inch Model 10.

Nope, she was fine, wasn’t using your loads 😀

955 fps is good enough for me…I’m duplicating it with Accurate #5 and Lyman 358439HP (GT Bullets).

[Muley Gil]

I'm sure I'll upset HD owners, but if I'm limited to the .38 special cartridge, I am going to put it in a much lighter revolver.

I carried N frame S&Ws and the occasional Colt New Service off and on during my 25 year LEO career. They all held rounds that started with 4.

[Nevada Ed]

I have some old data on the 158 lead bullet, that is a little different .

1972 Win. FBI load W38SPD+P 4" at 951fps.

1973 M15 4" old gel test by Allen Jones has a
158 Lswc Hi-Vel at 930fps.

Any 158 over 920fps, in my book, has enough energy to take care of business.

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

I have some old data on the 158 lead bullet, that is a little different .

1972 Win. FBI load W38SPD+P 4" at 951fps.

1973 M15 4" old gel test by Allen Jones has a
158 Lswc Hi-Vel at 930fps.

Any 158 over 920fps, in my book, has enough energy to take care of business.

A very humble but incredibly knowledgeable man, there are few that rival the experience level of Allan Jones when it comes to +P .38 Special ammo and perhaps +P handloads as well. He was involved in all this from just about the beginning that started in the early '70s with his Forensic Science lab days in Dallas to his many years with Speer.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

You mean that Heavy Duty didn't grenade?

Looks to be just about 20 fps faster than the same loades from a 4-inch Model 10.

My HD was "bored out" to .357 when I got it. So that's all I shoot in it. NO 38's at all.