Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 135 gr velocity from King Cobra 3"

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08-09-2021, 09:38 AM
4given

Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 135 gr velocity from King Cobra 3"

This weekend I ran the Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 135 gr over my chronograph through my new Colt King Cobra 3" Here are the results below:

#1 - 1091
#2 - 1084
#3- 1071
#4-1109
#5-1100

Avg: 1091.0
Standard Dev: 14.6
Spread: 38

This is LE ammo in the 50 round box . Advertised muzzle velocity is 860 fps from a 2" vented barrel. When you look at the wound ballistics gel test on the vista outdoors website they show the velocity at 945 fps. Interesting ....
08-09-2021, 09:42 AM
Totem Polar

That’s pretty hot for the .38 version. Fast shooting little snake you’ve got there.
08-09-2021, 09:58 AM
4given

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totem Polar

That’s pretty hot for the .38 version. Fast shooting little snake you’ve got there.

I edited my post above as I found the wound ballistic page on vista outdoors shows 945 fps. Then I noticed that was for load #53720. Their product page shows it as #53921 Maybe there are two different loadings? I guess I should check the number on my box when I get home and see which one I actually have.

Attachment 75449

Attachment 75450
08-09-2021, 10:18 AM
4given

2 Attachment(s)

OK I figured it out,

The 53720 is the 125gr +P 945 fps in a 4" vented barrel

The 53921 is the 135gr +P 860 in a 2" vented barrel

It seems the wound ballistics chart lists the wrong bullet weight... I guess ...

Attachment 75452
08-10-2021, 07:44 AM
03RN

That's what 38s should be loaded to.
08-10-2021, 08:48 AM
4given

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03RN

That's what 38s should be loaded to.

I wonder if mine is just an abnormally hot loaded batch. I have a new box I ordered online coming in the next couple of days. I think I will clock a few of those and see if they are running the same speed.
08-20-2021, 08:35 AM
deputyG23

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4given

This weekend I ran the Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 135 gr over my chronograph through my new Colt King Cobra 3" Here are the results below:

#1 - 1091
#2 - 1084
#3- 1071
#4-1109
#5-1100

Avg: 1091.0
Standard Dev: 14.6
Spread: 38

This is LE ammo in the 50 round box . Advertised muzzle velocity is 860 fps from a 2" vented barrel. When you look at the wound ballistics gel test on the vista outdoors website they show the velocity at 945 fps. Interesting ....

I chronographed some of this through a 4" .38 GP-100 about five years ago and averaged 1000 FPS for five shots.
Interesting for sure that the 3" would chrono higher.
Is the barrel cylinder gap on the Colt really close? Less than .004?
08-20-2021, 08:32 PM
5pins

I got a 5 shot average of 907fps from a three-inch smith.
08-21-2021, 08:18 PM
Outpost75

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4given

I wonder if mine is just an abnormally hot loaded batch. I have a new box I ordered online coming in the next couple of days. I think I will clock a few of those and see if they are running the same speed.

Recommended practice is to fire a known reference sample as a calibration check on the chronograph each time you set up. I use factory 148-grain target wadcutter in .38 Special for this, as I have lots of prior test data on this particular lot in various revolvers and a 20-inch Cowboy rifle, and it is instant reliability check.