anyone chronographed Speer 135 gr SB?

[random_rest]

Greetings, I'm new to the forum.

I'm interested if anyone has chronographed the Speer short barrel 135 grain gold dot .38+P and/or .357 mag from a 2 1/2 inch barrel, as well as the standard 125 grain +P from the same maker. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the short barrel or the regular +P 125 gr gold dot for carry. I don't own a chronograph so don't know how to compare velocity and energy for a barrel length that Speer doesn't report on. I'm shooting a model 19 2.5 inch. I do know I don't want to carry full .357 loads -- to much flash and bang.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Goffman]

Greetings, I'm new to the forum.

I'm interested if anyone has chronographed the Speer short barrel 135 grain gold dot .38+P and/or .357 mag from a 2 1/2 inch barrel, as well as the standard 125 grain +P from the same maker. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the short barrel or the regular +P 125 gr gold dot for carry. I don't own a chronograph so don't know how to compare velocity and energy for a barrel length that Speer doesn't report on. I'm shooting a model 19 2.5 inch. I do know I don't want to carry full .357 loads -- to much flash and bang.

Thanks for any info.

Search this thread. There is some info in there, at least on the short barrel load.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/78358-perma-gel-test-results.html

 

[Goffman]

Greetings, I'm new to the forum.

I'm interested if anyone has chronographed the Speer short barrel 135 grain gold dot .38+P and/or .357 mag from a 2 1/2 inch barrel, as well as the standard 125 grain +P from the same maker. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the short barrel or the regular +P 125 gr gold dot for carry. I don't own a chronograph so don't know how to compare velocity and energy for a barrel length that Speer doesn't report on. I'm shooting a model 19 2.5 inch. I do know I don't want to carry full .357 loads -- to much flash and bang.

Thanks for any info.

By the way, I prefer the Gold Dot short barrel 357 magnum loads for the reason that you mentioned. Full-power 357 magnum loads are not very controllable in smaller-framed revolvers, in my opinion, even the all-stainless versions. I do practice a bit with full-power 158 grain 357 magnums in my S&W 640 (all-stainless j-frame), but mainly because they are much less expensive than the Gold Dot short barrel 357 magnums.

 

[38-44HD45]

I have chronoed both the .38+P and .357 Short Barrel loads, as well as the 125gr. +P .38, through 1 7/8", 2 1/2" and 4" barrels, but it has been long enough that I'd have to do some looking to get the exact figures. I do recall the following:
1. The Speer website has velocity figures, and mine chronoed slightly faster than Speer advertised, for both Short Barrel loads. Here: Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables

2. The 135gr. Short Barrel .38 load gets substantially higher velocity than the 125gr.+P (almost 100fps. more, as I recall), with slightly less apparent recoil. (How do dey do dat?)

3. The Speer figures are from a 2" vented test barrel. Gun-to-gun differences will be greater than the difference made by the extra 1/2" of barrel on your Model 19. I have a 2 1/4" Ruger SP-101 that will launch most any load faster than will my 2 1/2" 66, and my 2" Model 327 runs everything slower than do most of my 1 7/8" guns.

The 135gr. .357 Short Barrel load is one of my favorites. For K-frame .357s, I like this load best, followed fairly closely by Remington 125gr. Golden Saber .357 and Speer full-power 158 gr. Gold Dots.

 

[APS]

Dang if I can remember the exact velocity but it was higher than Speer listed at the time by a little. I do remember the Kinetic Energy was 230ft-lbs. This was out of a 642. Checking with the calculator that would make it 870fps.

 

[JohnnieB]

I'm trying to decide whether to go with the short barrel or the regular +P 125 gr gold dot for carry. I don't own a chronograph so don't know how to compare velocity and energy for a barrel length that Speer doesn't report on. I'm shooting a model 19 2.5 inch. I do know I don't want to carry full .357 loads -- to much flash and bang.

Welcome to the Forum.

The simple truth is that all guns are different and the numbers "X" get from his 2.5" M19 isn't going to be the same as "Y" get with his 2.5" M19, and both will be different than what you get with yours. A couple well placed shots with either of the loads mentioned should be adequate at SD range, so knowing the exact velocity isn't as important as knowing the exact POA/POI and which has least recovery time for follow-up shots.

The trick is to pick the one that both you and your gun likes the best and then Practice, Practice, Practice with it.

If you want to see some numbers, take a peek at these. Some guys ran comparision tests by sawing off the barrels on a T/C Encore in 1" increments.

BBTI - 38 Special

Please note that the barrel lengths given are from breech face to muzzle end, while revolver barrels are measured from cylinder face to muzzle end. In other words, you M19 barrel length would be 2.5" plus the length of the cylinder.

I don't have my M19 setting next to me, and I'm too lazy to get up and get it, but it would be about 1.5" so look at the 4" data. Also they list a Colt with a 2.125" barrel, which ought to be in the ballpark.

While on the site, look around a bit. Lots of good info there.

Hope this helps,
John

 

[41 fan]

I can't help you with the 2.5 inch gun, but I did chrono the .357 135 SB load from my 3" mod 66. I got 1100 fps. The full power 125 gr GD made 1230 from the same gun. Dean

 

[Sully]

100 to 150 FPS of velocity....at the max distances you'll ever be shooting a 2 1/2 " bbl weapon....isnt going to amount to a hill of beans difference!

Pick the one ya like best and can buy the cheapest and shoot the heck out of it

 

[random_rest]

Wow! Thanks for all the help. I will experiment a bit, see what shoots best, and then, as several have advised, stick with it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have the data somewhere but I'm going to have to find it. If I remember correctly the SB .38 Special +P is advertised at 860 fps and the SB .357 ammo is advertised at 990 fps and both came close or went just a little over.

I also came up with some good replica loads for both. I was able to find powders that not only matched the velocities and felt recoil but the feel of the recoil too. I used AA#5 for the .38 Special +P and Power Pistol for the .357 Magnum.