.38 spl Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWCHP gas checked fired from a S&W 638 into calibrated gelatin with four layers of denim. I kept the revolver and ammo in a Ziploc baggie submerged in ice water on the trip out to make sure the powder was at a pretty low temperature because of my results with Speer 135 gr +P Gold Dot.
BB calibration: 586.8 fps, 3.4"
Impact velocity: 960.4 fps
Penetration: 12.1"
Retained weight: 159.6 gr
Max expansion: 0.695"
Min expansion: 0.599"
The 158gr is a nominal bullet weight. There is variation with every bullet, especially cast lead bullets, so it could have been a heavier than 158gr weight. Some might be stated as a nominal 158gr but actually cast out consistently 160gr or 161gr. ETA: When I cast a nominal 180gr WFN for my .357 Mag, it actually weighs 186gr then with gas check and lube is 188gr.
That’s correct. I thoroughly rinsed it with hot water to make sure I didn’t weigh any gelatin or denim. I did weigh one in the past before and after rinsing and there is no significant difference. Gelatin just isn’t anywhere near as dense as lead.
The recoil was stout but not punishing. It’s kind of a subjective thing.
I’d be interested to know what kind of pressure that generates too. That thing is movin’. Can’t modern .38 spl revolvers handle close to .357 mag pressure anyway?
Not a pressure test but here’s a better view of the pic of the primer seen in the video:
It’s actually a little flatter than it looks in the pic but it doesn’t look too bad. I realize primers don’t really tell you a whole lot.
