38spls in 357's

[Gunsmithattheguncloset]

Ok Guys,

Yes I am a gunsmith, but I haven't studied much on actual ballistics. So could someone answer this for me? Why is it when I shoot 158g LRN 38's in my model 19 they hit the target approximately 4'' below the point of aim. Same gun, same ammo manufacturer, same grainage bullet....same distance 10 yards...the 357's hit point of aim. Does this have to do have to do with the speed of the round or the twist rate of the barrel? Someone please help me understand?

Trey

 

[moxie]

It's all about recoil. In the case you describe, where everything is equal but the recoil (and the velocity, but the recoil is what's important here), the muzzle flips up a bit more with the .357s. Or, you could look at it the other way, the .38s recoil less so there is less muzzle flip so the point of impact is lower. Same principle applies with different bullet weights when everthing else is equal...the lighter bullets hit lower than the heavier due to less muzzle flip. Counterintuitive, I know, but true!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, the recoil generated but the .357 Magnum lifts the barrel more before the bullet leaves the barrel than the .38 Special will. "moxie" is correct, it's all about the recoil...

 

[LoboGunLeather]

A more complete explanation includes discussion of barrel time, the length of time that the bullet takes to complete passage through the bore and exit the muzzle. This occurs while recoil is happening, so point of impact is different.

Recoil begins as soon as the bullet starts to move forward, and continues until the bullet exits the muzzle.

Everything is happening very fast, but the differences still exist.

 

[michael thornton]

i have had the same thing but in some guns 38 ammo shoots fine?

 

[chief38]

What Moxie said!