Ammo Test: Super Vel -vs- Super Vel

[stiab]

Super Vel ammo generates a lot of interest on this and other forums, so I did this test to compare two boxes of 9mm 90 grain JHP. One box is the original Super Vel, the other almost identical looking box is from H & H Cartridge Corp. Results will be posted here and on the Sig forum.

I'm not an expert on the history of Super Vel, but I was a user of the original ammo while it was still in production. Previous testing of one box of original .38 Special and one box of H & H Super Vel .357 mag lead me to believe the later ammo, made after the Super Vel name was sold, may not be loaded to the same levels as the originals. Below are pictures of the front and back of the two boxes, with the original Super Vel on top. The only differences in the front of the boxes is the later H & H box has the 'circle R' registered trade mark notation.

On the next picture you can see the back of the boxes, with the original showing it was Super Vel made in Shelbyville, Ind. The second box is later and shows H & H of Greensburg, Ind.

The test gun was a S&W Model 5946, muzzle was 12 feet from chrono, and temperatures were high 50's. In five shot strings the original Super Vel averaged 1409 fps with energy of 397. The H & H Super Vel averaged 1325 fps with energy of 351.

I expected the original Super Vel would be hotter, but I was a little surprised at how relatively close they were, thinking the gap would be greater.

 

[Homie]

My batch of original SV 90 gr. ran 1369 fps. out of a 5" 1911.

Good shooting.

 

[Texas1941]

Thank you both for the time and effort involved in testing and posting results. Super Vel ammunition was a real "cult" item in the late '60s, early '70s, and a lot of what was known about it back then consisted of WAGs. Any hard information is greatly appreciated.

Charles

 

[38-44HD45]

Interesting! Thanks for the info. I recall all the ooohs and aaaahs about Super Vel way back when it was the "new stuff." Pretty wide ES on those; I'd have expected more consistency. FWIW, current production Cor-Bon 115gr. JHP usually runs at ca. 1425fps. from my Browning Hi-Powers, with ES figures in the 30-50 fps. range, so as good as Super Vel was, it still had a way to go!

 

[tim2420]

Well I have some original super vel 9mm 115gr and I have a m&p9c would it be safe for me to shoot it because I know they made some hot stuff

 

[-db-]

I was just reading about Super Vel in Nonte's Combat Handguns the other day. Apparently, according to Nonte anyway, Jurras' "trick" to the high speeds (for the day) were light and slightly undersized bullets. This kept pressures reasonable while getting upwards of 1400 fps.

 

[loc n load]

Super vel

I know Lee Jurras ( he is a home boy) and his super vel ammo was the "ice breaker" back in the day that opened the way for mfgr's to start loading some high performance ammo......we are spoiled today, because we have some top flight outfits that load high performance ammo that makes the big mfgr's cringe - but Lee was abt the only game in town back then.....he is also very talented in building guns, I have a custom 222 mag bl ( Jurras built) for my TC that I use for varmint hunting ( will shoot sub MOA at 200 yds), and a friend of mine has a custom built bolt gun ( Jurras built) that he uses for the same chore.