Underwood/Buffalo bore 158 grain 38 special Gel tests???

[caleb4387]

I'm looking at Underwood and Buffalo bore standard and plus p versions of the 258 grain lead semi wadcutter hollopint but it seems there are any Gel tests of the Underwood and only one for the BB from a snub that didn't do well. I'm trying to choose one for my model 13 3 inch barrel. Has anyone done any type of ballistics testing or have any input?? Thanks for any info you may have

 

[drifterdon]

I didn't do any gel tests but did post some Crony data today with the BB Non +P using a 3" barrel. Might be worth a look.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/470891-chronographed-2-factory-loads-today.html

 

[Coastie762]

I have not tried the BB 158 gr standard pressure, but have chronographed the +P version from a few short barreled revolvers. Overall I've found my figures to be very close to those published by BB. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of their figures for the standard pressure version as well.

637-2, 1 7/8" barrel: 987 FPS avg.
640-3, 2 1/8" barrel: 1003 FPS avg.
19-3, 2 1/2" barrel: 1033 FPS avg.

Just to compare, Remington's current 158 gr+P LSWC HTP load averaged 763 FPS from the 637-2.

Hope this helps.

 

[drifterdon]

I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of their figures for the standard pressure version as well.

I indeed got very similar velocities as they advertise. But since all guns are different, I just wanted to see what to expect with mine.

 

[Captain]

A SWC in 38Spl will penetrate 22-25" in a gel block. Doesn't do anything except cut a .35" hole that deep.

 

[Coastie762]

I indeed got very similar velocities as they advertise. But since all guns are different, I just wanted to see what to expect with mine.

Interesting data, thanks for sharing. The Federal load you show clocked faster than a Speer 125 gr GD +P load I tried, they averaged 867 FPS through my 637. The same load averaged slightly faster in a model 36 at 876 FPS. I also had chronographed some BB+P 125 grain Gold Dots in the 637. That load averaged 1014 FPS. I don't have any left but seem to remember they were both loaded with the 6-petal configuration GD projectile.

I recently managed to pick up some Speer 135 +P Gold Gots from SG ammo. Unfortunately as winter in Wisconsin is determined to stick around as long as possible this year, I have not yet had a chance to run any over my chrono.

Going back to the OPs question, I have seen a number of videos on You Tube that show the BB 158 LSWC HP tested in gelatin, both standard and +P versions. If you have not looked yet you may want to do a quick search.

 

[caleb4387]

Interesting data, thanks for sharing. The Federal load you show clocked faster than a Speer 125 gr GD +P load I tried, they averaged 867 FPS through my 637. The same load averaged slightly faster in a model 36 at 876 FPS. I also had chronographed some BB+P 125 grain Gold Dots in the 637. That load averaged 1014 FPS. I don't have any left but seem to remember they were both loaded with the 6-petal configuration GD projectile.

I recently managed to pick up some Speer 135 +P Gold Gots from SG ammo. Unfortunately as winter in Wisconsin is determined to stick around as long as possible this year, I have not yet had a chance to run any over my chrono.

Going back to the OPs question, I have seen a number of videos on You Tube that show the BB 158 LSWC HP tested in gelatin, both standard and +P versions. If you have not looked yet you may want to do a quick search.

I've only seen 2 so far and neither showed decent expansion....not that I don't mind the nice little hole it still makes

 

[hollywood63]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrw3B-8HjE[/ame]

 

[Otreb]

The old brass fetcher site tested std, and +p versions, also the 125gr gold dot Buffalo Bore loads, they all performed well too.

 

[Duckford]

The old brass fetcher site tested std, and +p versions, also the 125gr gold dot Buffalo Bore loads, they all performed well too.

Brass Fetcher has done quite a bit of good work over the years, but keep in mind, in many tests, if not almost every single one, he uses 20% gel for his tests and for camera effect. Thus, results from some of his works can not be directly equated to 10% tests, and there is a lot of fancy math work to be done to equate results from the two types.

In any case, my quest to build my own gel molds have failed, and I just put in an order for factory clear ballistics molds, so I'll probably do a Buffalo Bore 4 inch barrel test next week.

 

[xcop]

Underwood 158 non +p

I tested this a year or so ago and thought I had posted it .
I shot the standard pressure 158 from a 2in K frame into a Clear Ballistics block at 10 feet. I used a single layer of 16oz denim, a sweatshirt and a layer of a thicker than normal t shirt (Hanes beefy t).
The round penetrated 14.75 inches and expanded to .621 x .603

I posted this on Underwoods website but in the +p section by error.