I chronographed both Remington and Federal 38 Special +P 158 gr LSWCHP factory loads in my S&W 442 1 7/8 inch barrel and want to share the results with the forum:


Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP (38S12) (7 shots)
Hi 845
Lo 794
Avg 812
ES 51
SD 18

Federal 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP (38G) (10 shots)
Hi 813
Lo 760
Avg 785
ES 53
SD 16

Notes: I duplicated the Remington load using Speer 38 Spl +P on-line data with 158 gr Speer LSWCHP and 5.6 grs Power Pistol (avg MV 808 fps in S&W 442)

Thanks for sharing. It's always appreciated when members share their actual testing results.
In this particular test, it shows that a properly stoked 38 can be a serious contender for personal protection.

Thanks for doing this testing and for posting these results. Real world outcomes are very helpful for our collective knowledge base.

Thank you also for using what must be a valuable stash of materiel during these times of limited availability.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you very much for the data. As usual it is very helpful to us who love to shoot the 38/357.

Too bad you didn't have any of the Winchester FBI Load ( X38SPD ) available to top off the comparison of the original FBI offerings. If I lived anywhere close to you I would have given you some. (I think I still have a box somewhere lol)

In any case, good comparison, thank you again.

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SWCA #3437

Related but different test: Several years ago, I had 4 1 7/8-2" J-frames also 4 of same length K-frames and the several K, L, & N-frame 4" guns. I was testing accuracy at +P velocity, At Target velocity (650fps+/-) every gun I own shot with acceptable accuracy. But at +P velocities (800+fps) 110 grain cast and 125 gr cast bullets were on average 4 times the group size in the 2" barrels than they were in 4" barrels. 158 grain cast bullets were acceptable out of every gun I own, and the one 6" Model 10 shot the best revolver groups I've ever done!

The test included one cylinder of cast RN and one cylinder of cast SWC at each weight and at each velocity. I only tested my home cast bullets made from Wheel Weights.

There is a reason Speer Short Barrel uses 135 grain bullets! I believe that is the minimum weight for snub nose accuracy at +P velocity.

Ivan

Always my pleasure.

My pleasure and thank you.

I have a box of Winchester 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHPs left. I had purchased five boxes in 2019 from Brownells. I had to return them to Winchester (Brownells doesn’t take ammo returns like most) for refund since none were crimped…”made in USA” isn’t what it used to be particularly with factory ammo. However, the box (2018 vintage) I have left are nicely crimped with some keeping my S&W 442 “company.” I’m sure I can spare some and chronograph them soon in the shorter barrel. I also have Buffalo Bore, Underwood and DoubleTap 38 Spl +P stuff.

I did test the DoubleTap 38 Spl +P 158 gr SWC and forgot if I posted them…if not I’ll post them under a new posting. They were not impressive and Power Pistol or Unique could easily equal or surpass them.

I had several boxes of that Winchester FBI Load ammo without crimps. I didn't want to send it back because I was told they didn't have any to replace it and would send me a refund instead. I wanted them so I added the crimp on my press. They shot very well after that.

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SWCA #3437

In my 38 special M49 snub nose, using the Speer LswcHP bullet at 1.48 OAL

Red Dot, w231, Universal and Unique powders all gave me over 800fps.
HS-6 at 6.8 grs gave me 792fps, with recoil getting noticeable.

I found that you can increase fps with a HEAVY crimp on the lead bullet
but also know that pressures will also rise.

I'm surprised your HS-6 load got such low velocities.
My FBI Replica Load is made with 7.0ge HS-6 and a CCI-550 primer.
The AV in a 4" M686 is 927.0 fps.
The AV in a 2" M640 is 888.9 fps.
It was only a few fps lower in a 1.875" M638.

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SWCA #3437

I have noticed that my M49 vs another M49 that I gave to my DnL
does not come up with the same fps, in my tests.
It might just have a sloppy cylinder, or barrel or just fit ?

I just use it as a SD gun and not for my accuracy revolver/pistols
than need fps and accuracy, for me to be happy.

note: I also used the cci500 std. primer with the HS-6 powder.

My 4" M686 is like that. The velocities from it are lower than from my M&P (with .38 Special ammo of course) Even with magnum ammo it's slower than with my Vaqueros.

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SWCA #3437

Thanks for the data. I got nearly the same results from those same two loads. They have been consistent over the years. The Federal load was always slower.

a bit off topic but with a 442 and concerned with the frame crack that occurs with these aluminum frames what is the safest load to use in these guns to reduce it from happening. heavy bullet or light bullet regular or +p thanks

I have and carry a M442 and I have shot plenty of the FBI loads both factory and hand loads without any ill effects. I have shot other .38 Special +P ammo without any problems either. The bullet weight doesn't matter in the Airweight .38 Spl. revolvers.

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SWCA #3437

A pity we consumers have to "make good" what the factory should have done in the first place!