Chronograph for reloads compared to factory

[Doug.38PR]

I just sat down in my backyard with my laptop, OP, chronograph and various loads and reloads of .38 Special.
A cylinder full of 6 per brand/load. I was sitting about 10-8 feet behind the chronograph while shooting.
Here are the results:
.38 Special +P 158 gr. LRN. 4 inch 1961 Colt Official Police
5.8 grains Power Pistol: 917.7, 921.9, 943.5, 875.5, 951.2, 925.3 fps.
Remington brand LHP: 932.1, 953.4, 948.5, 976.4, 946.9, 917.1 fps
Buffalo Bore LHP: 1181, 1193, 1199, 1194, 1150, 1188 fps

.38 Special 158 gr. LRN 4 inch 1961 Colt Official Police
4.0 grains Unique: 645.5 fps, 465.4, 535.7, 641.8, 651.5 fps (No, that second one is not a typo)

I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect with the Unique standard load. It was the lowest load my Speer manual allowed for. BUT, I was absolutely amazed at all the +P loads.

The Remington +P LHP was A LOT faster than I was expecting...even for a 4 inch barrel. Remington advertising puts it around 890 fps. All but one shot well over 900 ft per second, one even approaching 1000 ft per second.

The Power Pistol 5.8 gr load appears to be identical to the Remington. In fact, if I had mixed the cartridges up...I would not have been able to tell the difference. The recoil is the same, the muzzel flash is the same and apparently the velocity is the same. I wonder what it would clock if I jacked it up to the maximum allowable of 6.0 grains of Power Pistol?

The Buffalo Bore.....I think it's velocity speaks for itself. It is indeed as advertised. I can vouch for that

Reloading, shooting and clocking are fun!

(the only downside is the bullets were tearing a big rip in my centipede grass beyond. I had to fill in the strip I dug with some dirt. Don't want an annoying bump this pring when mowing my grass.)

[chief38]

I have done similar testing and that is exactly why I stoke Buffalo Bore 38 Spl. 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC loads into my Chief's Special 60-7.

I also use the BB line in my M65 3" 357. I will load the 158 gr. JHP Mag. for 2 legged Animals, and the 180 gr. hard cast lead for 4 legged Animals.

After chronographing quite a few loads out of a variety of hand guns, Buffalo Bore is the way to go - at least for me. They make the 38 Special REALLY SPECIAL!

Chief38

[Doug.38PR]

Yeah that BB 180 gr .357 is the real deal. Turns your gun into a hand cannon. I shot one out of a Ruger Security six with magna/service grips a few years back. The gun recoiled so hard that the hammer spur kicked back into the webbing of my hand drawing blood.

After that, I'd only shoot those in my S&W Highway Patrolman and Python with target grips

[chief38]

Doug,

I have shot around 40 BB .357 Magnum rounds (158 gr. & 180 gr.) through my 3" model 65 K-Frame with the standard round butt Magna grips and a Tyler T, and yes they are STIFF (no blood though), but after practicing with them I feel confident that I could put them where they needed to be if and when the SHTF. Hey, I'll accept the recoil in trade for the sheer stopping power of that round. It's probably the only .357 load that I would trust out of a 3" gun against a Black Bear. Again if I were setting out for a Bear hunt, I would take a rifle and use the pistol solely as a BUG.

Chief38

[Rule3]

Try the BB 158 +P LSWCHP out of a Airweight 442 or 642!

Ochy Momma!

Don't worry about the Bermuda, can't kill that stuff! I have intertwined in my Floratam (ST Augustine).

[Doug.38PR]

LOL! Actually it's Centipede not Bermuda. I mispoke. Yeah, I have a lot of bermuda out front in the summer