sierra loads

[38magnum]

Its incredible how times dont change. WHy is sierra so much more authentic about the abilty of 38 special and 38 +p then other companies like hodgdon?

I mean Sierra uses a 5.63" barrel to get their test results, and hodgdon is using a 7.7-8" barrel, but sierra is getting 200 fps more velocity in most loads using same bullet and powder...

if a 125 jhp/jsp can be pushed to 1,300 fps in a +P using certain powders, why isnt that being given an altar online?

 

[Yendor 1]

None of that means anything.

The only thing that matters is what your gun and your components do.

Get a chronograph. You’ll learn a lot.

 

[M29since14]

1300 fps in a .38 Special +P with a 125 grain bullet, even with a “solid” barrel (not a revolver), sounds fishy to me. I’d be expecting something closer to 1000 fps.

I’ve found Sierra’s rifle data often seems “conservative,” but still well within what could be considered normal or reasonable. It’s always good to compare load data from several sources.

 

[WR Moore]

Sierra is an ammunition/bullet manufacturer they want to sell both. Hodgdon makes powder and they're using a pressure barrel in a universal receiver, what you do with their product is your business. And, if you're gonna get picky, the official SAAMI test barrel length is mostly 4 inches with vents to simulate the barrel/cylinder gap.

Once belonged to a board where one of the members was a specialist barrel maker. Pressure test barrels for load data are typically made with minimum barrel bore/groove and chamber specs to present a worst case scenario. OTOH, if one might want to ah, enhance the performance of the ammunition, the test barrels will have a minimum spec chamber and somewhat looser specs on the barrel to reduce friction. BTW, I bought a Sierra manual back when, developed my long range target load and when a new manual came out, checked it to see if data had changed. My in spec load was now several grains over the maximum. Called Sierra and the answer was "different test barrel".

 

[Yendor 1]

I’m going to change my user name from Yendor to
Getachrono. lol!

 

[Rule3]

Is the exact same bullet used, same primer, brass OAL?? What powder??

https://sierrabullets.com/content/load-data/handgun/357/38-Special-P.pdf
https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/