Velocity differences between revolver barrel lengths 38 special

[Demetrix3775]

Magnum load with 15.5 grains of H110 and a 160Gr cast Keith HP. Seated deep and crimped above the front driving band

With a load like that,you would need a vice like grip or a bench vice!

 

[Riposte1]

Chase45, I would think your load would be about maximum, and handle anything that could be handled by a ..357. Seems similar to the hottest factory load I've encountered. That factory load that is warmer than any other factory or handloaded .357 load I've used; the Buffalo Bore .357 180 WFNGC. They advertise it as doing 1400 FPS in a 4" revolver. It actually does that in my 4" and 5" revolvers, and just over 1500 FPS in a 5.5" gun.

I have a box of BB .357 loaded with a 158 XTP - it is listed, IIRC, as 1425 in a 4" - shot some in my 5" S&W M-27-2 and it got 1589!

I'd sort of like to find some of that 180 gr. load!

Riposte

 

[Rock185]

Riposte, That 158 BB; Wow! I haven't tried the BB 158, but the BB 180 grain has always done the advertised 1400 fps or so in my 4" and 5" revolvers. The underwood 180 also does the advertised 1400 FPS in my guns...

 

[Zeke38]

Thanks to the OP for his reloading and chrono work. Gives me approximate velocities for given loads, that I will use. Starting lower powder charge and working up. Have a 60-15 and an old 66=0 4" and those 38-44 loads like promising,