.38 Spl +P range report

[goose2w1]

Well I finally made it out to the range today to test out some different handloads today. Had some interesting results and wanted to share them. I shot 3 different loads form my Ruger SP101 w/ 2 3/4" barrel. The three loads were:
1. BitterRoot Valley, 158g SWC.
2. Hndy, 158g XTP in once fired brass with 6.6g of VV 3N37 and Winchester Small pistol primers, OAL 1.437.
3. Zero, 158g, Semi jacketed HP in once fired brass with 6.6g of VV 3N37 and Winchester Small pistol primers, OAL 1.437.

It was about 70o and sunny at the range, beautiful day for shooting. Chrono'd 2 five shot strings of each, results as follows:

1. BitterRoot string 1 - Avg. 725, H 734 L 712, ES 22, SD 10.39
string 2 - Avg. 721, H 732 L 705, ES 27, SD 11.66

2. XTP string 1 - Avg 938, H 975 L 913, ES 61, SD 23
string 2 - Avg 916, H 938 L 876, ES 61, SD 25

3. Zero string 1 - Avg 843, H 871 L813, ES 57, SD 21
string 2 - Avg 857, H 886 L 810, ES 75, SD 28

All were nicely accurate from a rest at 7 yards. Unfortunatly I left the targets on the stand at the rang, so no pics

Then I shot each round through a Handgun Bullet test tube. First time I ever used it, it was pretty neat. First i tried the BitterRoot 158g LSWC. Ended up putting 5 rounds in, and all 5 flew right out the side . So I got a second tube and tried the XTP and the zero. Both went in approximatly 10 inches. Recovered weights and size as follows.

XTP - Measured .520 at the widest point and weighed 156.2g
Zero - Measured .405 at the widest point and weighed 157.6g

I'll post pics of them in a bit.

I then lined up 8 water jugs in a row and tried to get a recoverable Bitterroot LSWC. Shooting from about 15 feet, the round went through the top half of all 8 jugs! I then took the one bullet test tube that 5 LSWC past through before and stood it up behind the 8th jug. Took another shot and success. The round was caught by the test tube. The end of the bullet was flush with the cardboard of the tube. When I removed the bullet it looked almost like new minus the rifling marks, even the red lube looked new. Absolutly zero deformation. i would of never thought a .38 Spl LSWC would penetrate like that.

Recovered LSWC measured .355 at widest point and weighed 160.2g.

I definitly like the XTP load, shot nice and seemed terminally effective. The zero load wasn't as good, but it shot just like the XTP, so that will make a good, cheap practice load.

Next I got to try it through some clothing to see what happens. I keep you all posted!

[goose2w1]

From L to R LSWC, XTP, SJHP

[goose2w1]

From L to R LSWC, XTP, SJHP

[AlaskaMike]

Great stuff! Nice pics too.

[goose2w1]

Thanks Alaska! Hopefully I'll get to do it again in a few weeks, but I'll be trying Golden Sabre 124g 9mm's.

[ltc444]

Interesting work. I wonder if you might try the same test using a 148 grain Hollow base wad cutter with the Hollow to the front. Keith or one of the other senior gun writers made some reference to this type of loading for self defense.

I reloaded some that way and found them to be reasonably accurate. But, I've never seen any real testing. It might be an interesting comparison to your work.

[ArizonaRick]

I have spent way to much spare time trying to get good expansion in my 38's until I finally found the best kept secret of the past. Use Speer 158 grain SWC-HP in a 38 special. These are soft lead swaged boolits. Hornadys 158's are too hard to expand at 38 velocities. I use the loading data published in the 1993 Hodgdon booklet for this bullet type (7.3 grains of HS-6) or from Lee (6.0 grains of Power Pistol) standard SP primer, seated on crimp grove with medium crimp, yup - always veryify load data from any blog before using. Accurcy is great, cost is very reasonable, leading is light and I only shoot this load in strong framed 38 revolvers. I get great expansion with this load from all my revolvers with a 4" or longer barrel, but not snubbys. Loading the speer 148 HBWC reversed should be approched with significant caution. Be sure to seat the bullet long enough to avoid elevated presure, but shallow enough for reliable chambering. Sizing the top 1/3 of the bullet with a .355" sizer and relubing with Lee spray lube helps. Keep vel under 800 fps. Expansion is the best I have every seen (55-60 cal) but, penitration is on the light side and accuracy is not to great. Stick with the Speer 158 SWC-HP and a fast, published load. Good luck & be safe.

[tac_driver]

I just recently finished testing the Speer LSWCHP bullets here are the results, including the Remington LSWCHP factory round.

[Usertag]

Well thats good to here. +P ammo for me is always inaccurate.