Tested: .38 special Speer GDSB 135 gr +P from a 2" and a 4" barrel.....

[LOBO]

.38 special Speer GDSB 135 gr +P from a 2" and a 4" barrel. Sorry, no velocity numbers.

2" barrel

4" barrel

 

[Pepper]

Great photos!! Visual proof that the velocity from the extra 2" of barrel does makes a difference. But, based on your test, I do not see any reason to not continue carrying that load in my 2", 3", & 4" revolvers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for the information and photos.

What I'm wondering, out of the 4" barrel will the additional expansion cause inadequate penetration? BUT, when the NYPD adopted that round for their officers who still carry a revolver they did so for all their revolvers, regardless of barrel length.

 

[snuf]

More good work LOBO, thanks.

 

[LOBO]

Thanks for the information and photos.

What I'm wondering, out of the 4" barrel will the additional expansion cause inadequate penetration? BUT, when the NYPD adopted that round for their officers who still carry a revolver they did so for all their revolvers, regardless of barrel length.

I don't know what the penetration was in inches, but they were both recovered in the 3rd water jug. There was no sign of either "almost" making it into the 4th water jug. No dents, rips, cuts etc were on the rear of the 3rd water jug.

The longest barreled .38/.357 I have is a 6". When I get a chance, I'll see what will happen with the extra velocity from it.

 

[Robert B]

losing petals

On another site there was a thread about the GDSB losing petals when fired from barrels longer than 2 inches. I think the medium was gel.

 

[papajohn428]

On another site there was a thread about the GDSB losing petals when fired from barrels longer than 2 inches. I think the medium was gel.

That has not been my experience, but I don't have the data handy. It's on my list to re-test it in wetpack and water jugs from 2, 3, and 4" barrels, and I'll post those results when I have them. If I can get my chronograph to cooperate, I'll have velocity figures as well.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the photos, I'm showing them to my wife right now, want her to know why we put 'em in her 442.

 

[Hapworth]

Interesting, recent Brass Fetcher report on various .38 defense loads from a snubby, to include Speer Gold Dot SB.

Bone plate in front of 10% ballistic gel; unexpected results and good grist for the mill.

Short version: all rounds' expansion was significantly affected by the addition of simulated bone; CorBon DPX 110 grain +P and Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure fared best.

All the usual suspects perform well in 10% gel alone.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/38 Special/38 Special Bone Test.pdf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You guys do realize this thread is a year old, right?

 

[Ptarmigan]

Interesting, recent Brass Fetcher report on various .38 defense loads from a snubby, to include Speer Gold Dot SB.

Bone plate in front of 10% ballistic gel; unexpected results and good grist for the mill.

Short version: all rounds' expansion was significantly affected by the addition of simulated bone; CorBon DPX 110 grain +P and Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain standard pressure fared best.

All the usual suspects perform well in 10% gel alone.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/38 Special/38 Special Bone Test.pdf

I would sure like to see some informal tests like brassfetcher's here where the bone simulant was molded more like the rib cage of a 200lb. man. The solid "bone" of the linked study is a start, but I want to know what various rounds do when they have to travel in between rib bones.

Which are more likely to chip one? Two? What will a between-the-rib shot do to the performance of our favorite rounds? And how often will that happen (whatever that is) over a series of 40-50 test shots?

 

[Hapworth]

You guys do realize this thread is a year old, right?

Indeed it is -- still relevant, too.

 

[LOBO]

I wouldn't worry about the performance from a 4" barrel as the Gold Dot is a bonded bullet.

 

[Sloman]

LOBO, thank you very much for testing and reporting on that load! It's one of my favorites too!