Semi-formal ammo testing in ultralight revolvers
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:31 am
Figured some of y'all might have interest in the results of a little "playin" we did last night.
Dec. 15, 2009 Chrono work and "crimp slip" testing (LW, Rich, Alyscia)
Chronograph set at max distance (about 20') to minimize muzzle blast from 2" barrels causing failures to read. Chronograph instructions also indicate that, with subsonic velocities, muzzle blast can reach the measuring device just before the bullet and cause malfunctions. This appears to be true, as the only time we got a reading on all 4 of 4 shots was with the 357 ammo.
"Crimp slip" testing procedure. Loaded five rounds from each box in each revolver. Fired four rounds, then checked round number 5 against another cartridge from the box. In all instances, the bullet in round number 5 had moved forward just slightly out of the case.
Revolvers used: Ruger LCR (approx. 13.5 ounces) and Smith and Wesson 340PD (approx. 12 ounces)
Ammo: Speer Gold Dot 135 grain (short barrel: product #23921) 38+P.
Ruger LCR: Chrono malfunctioned with 3 of 4 rounds. 818 fps recorded on 1 round from LCR.
S&W 340; fps: 752, 840, 856
Ammo: Hornady 110 Grain 38+P Critical Defense.
Ruger LCR; fps: 877, 888, 956
S&W 340; fps 875, 909, 882
Ammo: Corbon 125 grain DPX .357 Mag.
S&W 340; fps: 1,047, 1,076, 1050, 1021
Coincidently, the Corbon 125 grain DPX in .357 Mag. slipped the least from the lightest gun. (Micrometer would be nice compared to our visual inspections.)
Dec. 15, 2009 Chrono work and "crimp slip" testing (LW, Rich, Alyscia)
Chronograph set at max distance (about 20') to minimize muzzle blast from 2" barrels causing failures to read. Chronograph instructions also indicate that, with subsonic velocities, muzzle blast can reach the measuring device just before the bullet and cause malfunctions. This appears to be true, as the only time we got a reading on all 4 of 4 shots was with the 357 ammo.
"Crimp slip" testing procedure. Loaded five rounds from each box in each revolver. Fired four rounds, then checked round number 5 against another cartridge from the box. In all instances, the bullet in round number 5 had moved forward just slightly out of the case.
Revolvers used: Ruger LCR (approx. 13.5 ounces) and Smith and Wesson 340PD (approx. 12 ounces)
Ammo: Speer Gold Dot 135 grain (short barrel: product #23921) 38+P.
Ruger LCR: Chrono malfunctioned with 3 of 4 rounds. 818 fps recorded on 1 round from LCR.
S&W 340; fps: 752, 840, 856
Ammo: Hornady 110 Grain 38+P Critical Defense.
Ruger LCR; fps: 877, 888, 956
S&W 340; fps 875, 909, 882
Ammo: Corbon 125 grain DPX .357 Mag.
S&W 340; fps: 1,047, 1,076, 1050, 1021
Coincidently, the Corbon 125 grain DPX in .357 Mag. slipped the least from the lightest gun. (Micrometer would be nice compared to our visual inspections.)