38 SPL HORNADY 90gr FTX Lite Review

[RDub]

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 Hornady 90gr FTX Lite — Postimages

Data Sheet

Well, this ammunition was, to say the least, disappointing. The bullets fired out of both the 2 and 4 inch guns produced zero expansion in water.
Interestingly, the Hornady website shows an advertised muzzle velocity of 1200 fps out of a 4 inch test barrel. Yet the box shows 1080 fps, no barrel length indicated. In any case neither the 2 or 4 inch gun yielded velocities any where near these. Have to wonder if I wound up with a sub-standard lot No. The ammunition is marketed as 'Lite', and indeed it is very soft shooting. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot happening on the business end.

 

[Piwo]

Sounds like a nice way to turn your 38 special into a 380 auto, powerwise.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Nice write-up!

My only suggestion would be to add the calculated energy based on the measured velocity for each barrel length.

 

[Matt_X]

That is interesting.

I would have expected at least some expansion shooting into water.
How far away is the water from the muzzle?

For the target shooting, is that from a Ranson rest, bag off of bench, or unsupported?

Comparing your targets shot with other bullets, the lighter weights tend to hit lower. That seems to be the expected result but your tests make good examples.

One other note: The Hornady CD 110 FTX, and 110 FTX +P cartridge cases are plated. At least the ones I've bought. Seems odd these are not.

 

[RDub]

That is interesting.

I would have expected at least some expansion shooting into water.
How far away is the water from the muzzle?

For the target shooting, is that from a Ranson rest, bag off of bench, or unsupported?

Comparing your targets shot with other bullets, the lighter weights tend to hit lower. That seems to be the expected result but your tests make good examples.

One other note: The Hornady CD 110 FTX, and 110 FTX +P cartridge cases are plated. At least the ones I've bought. Seems odd these are not.

I stand on the edge of the roof and shoot straight down into the barrel.
Caldwell Pistol Rest was used
Yes, the lighter bullets weights shoot lower.
Hornady, on their website said they were temporarily unable to offer these in nickel cases.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have found out that in my M49 snub nose revolver, most JHP bullets need
a good head of steam, to get them to start to mushroom.
In my test, the Sierra 110 JHP and a W-W110 SJHP need a minimum average of 970fps across my chrony at ten feet, to work.
A Rem 125 JHP needs 880fps in my snub nose to work and be at a POA.

Here is a old picture that I have, from my records, of the 110 gr bullet.
It seems to have had a little trouble, also?

 

[govt 380]

As a senior, I purchased the 90 gr. to shoot out of a Ruger 38 LCR. At only 13.5 oz, everything else seems too stout.

 

[Doug M.]

^^ Another argument for target wadcutters. Nothing fancy, but they poke a hole.

 

[RDub]

^^ Another argument for target wadcutters. Nothing fancy, but they poke a hole.

That they will.. For that matter, just plain old 158gr LRN will penetrate surprisingly well. The old school ammunition is still fairly effective in short barrels.

 

[glenwolde]

This made me think. Somewhere I have a stash of some long discontinued 95(?) grain solid copper hollow points. I'll have to go dig those out.

I used to use the old Remington 95gr JHP in snubbies. I'm not really convinced on the whole ultra-lite bullets in the .38 Special, trying to get the velocity up.