38 SPL COLT/DOUBLETAP 110gr Lead Free JHP Review

[RDub]

I'm lumping these together as it does appear that the two are the same ammunition.
Hello
Most of the 38 Special reviews that I did were shot with two guns.
A Taurus 85 Ulta Lite 2 inch barrel and a Smith & Wesson model 15 with a 4 inch barrel.
First I do forensic exam of the ammunition. Next I shoot a group while chronographing with each gun. 10 yards with the 2 inch Taurus 85 and 25 yards with the 4 inch Model 15. Chronograph is a Oehler 35P
Then the ammunition is shot out of each gun into a 55 gallon plastic barrel of water. The bullets are then recovered, photographed and then measured for expansion. In cases where the bullet fragments and loses its jacket, a weight is taken with all the recovered material and also a weight taken with just the lead core.
Here is the link to all the photos of the review;

38 SPL COLT Defense 110gr HP +P — Postimages

38 SPL Doubletap 110gr C.E. HP — Postimages

Data Sheets

After doing the pull downs on both of these it became apparent they were the same product. The Colt box says it is +P. There isn't anything +P about this one. Both brands had virtually the same propellant charge and produced virtually the same velocities.
Then when shooting into the water the bullets produced no expansion what so ever. Not even an attempt. I couldn't recommend these loads for anything other than plinking.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have to agree that the fps is too low to be a "+P" label.

My M49 snub nose with a 110gr SJHP will do 866fps with just 4.8 grs of Red Dot powder, for my std target loads.

My +P load of Unique powder does 996fps in the little J frame, that is in my data manuals.


All copper or lead/copper bullets need different fps to mushroom but my
test with lead have shown that 950fps is minimum for some expansion, most of the time.

I have had a 125 gr Gold Dot go through water jugs and actually be able to be shoot again, due to just the rifling marks on it, due to too low speed, out of the snub nose revolver.

 

[38SPL HV]

Recently, I chronographed 6.7 grs Power Pistol behind 110 gr JHP (Zero Bullets) through my S&W 442 1 7/8"…avg 947 fps. 5.2 grs Titegroup with same bullet in same revolver avg 911 fps.

…fun stuff

Merry Xmas

 

[RDub]

Recently, I chronographed 6.7 grs Power Pistol behind 110 gr JHP (Zero Bullets) through my S&W 442 1 7/8"…avg 947 fps. 5.2 grs Titegroup with same bullet in same revolver avg 911 fps.

…fun stuff

Merry Xmas

Yep, those are +P velocities..
Merry Christmas to you too

 

[stansdds]

Velocity does seem rather low to be +P pressure levels. Maybe the "+P" indicates it is +Price ammo.