Speer Short Barrel .38spl.+P in 4in. ?

[Ringo]

I carry the Speer GDHP Short Barrel 135gr. .38spl. +P in my snubby. Is there any information as to how this Short Barrel ammo will perform fired from a 4 inch barrel?

 

[Saltcreek]

It works quite well in a 4" 38 even according to Speer. This same bullet is used in thier short barrel 357 mag load which reaches a velocity about 150 fps higher than the 38 spec load in a 4" barrel. Any higher (like at full 357 vel) Speer says the petals tear off like a ring and the core continues to penetrate. In any 38 Spl it is a great round and will mushroom well and stay together.
Here is some Data from the Speer Technical Data Sheet for this round:
Calculated Theoretical Maximum Range
Firearm Type
135gr.
( 1 7/8” BBL) Smith & Wesson Model 640
135 gr.
(4” BBL) Smith & Wesson Model 10
Maximum Range
4,912 ft 1 7/8” BBL
5,163 ft (4” BBL)
Muzzle Velocity
860 fps 1 7/8” BBL
935 fps (4” BBL)
Ballistic Coefficient
.141 1 7/8” BBL
.141 (4” BBL)
Departure Angle
34 ° 1 7/8” BBL
34 ° (4” BBL)
Time of Flight
18.2 sec 1 7/8” BBL
18.8 sec (4” BBL)
Impact Angle
64 ° 1 7/8” BBL
65 ° (4” BBL)
Impact Velocity
255 fps 1 7/8” BBL
259 fps (4” BBL)

 

[Ringo]

It works quite well in a 4" 38 even according to Speer. This same bullet is used in thier short barrel 357 mag load which reaches a velocity about 150 fps higher than the 38 spec load in a 4" barrel. Any higher (like at full 357 vel) Speer says the petals tear off like a ring and the core continues to penetrate. In any 38 Spl it is a great round and will mushroom well and stay together.

On the other hand, would you say that the 125gr. GDHP +P would perform better, considering it's originally made for the longer barrel guns?

 

[Bighouse Doc]

I chronographed some loads from an SP101 3".

The avg. was 916.

Does that help?

-Doc

 

[Saltcreek]

It works quite well in a 4" 38 even according to Speer. This same bullet is used in their short barrel 357 mag load which reaches a velocity about 150 fps higher than the 38 spec load in a 4" barrel. Any higher (like at full 357 vel) Speer says the petals tear off like a ring and the core continues to penetrate. In any 38 Spl it is a great round and will mushroom well and stay together.

On the other hand, would you say that the 125gr. GDHP +P would perform better, considering it's originally made for the longer barrel guns?

Not really. I have tested both, Had the 125 before they came out with the 135. The 135 expands more reliably in 2 and 4 inch, even through barriers. The 135 expands more reliably also at distance from a 4", where the velocity is dropping to 2" velocity. The 135 also has more weight (however slight) and length which results in better penetration than a 125 and better tracking through media without tumbling than a shorter bullet. All of my 125 gr rounds now are stored on the shelf in favor of 135 in both 2" and 4" 38s.

 

[Ringo]

I chronographed some loads from an SP101 3".

The avg. was 916.

Does that help?

-Doc

Yes, thanks. 916 is good.

 

[Ringo]

Not really. I have tested both, Had the 125 before they came out with the 135. The 135 expands more reliably in 2 and 4 inch, even through barriers. The 135 expands more reliably also at distance from a 4", where the velocity is dropping to 2" velocity. The 135 also has more weight (however slight) and length which results in better penetration than a 125 and better tracking through media without tumbling than a shorter bullet. All of my 125 gr rounds now are stored on the shelf in favor of 135 in both 2" and 4" 38s.

I'm storing my 125 gr. rounds on the shelf too. Thanks.