Making Power Factor

[alfsauve]

They are a possibility.    I'm not at the pro-level where I can afford custom made.

They do list a 125gr at 1050fps.  I primarily want to use commercial ammo for the bigger shoots.

I really want Atlanta Arms to pan out.  They're local and I SHOULD be able to pick it up without paying shipping. 

[MikeBjerum]

I only stopped at the puter to check a field map and wandered here.  That is why I am not doing research for you.  When traveling to matches I commonly went to Midway USA and almost always used MagTech.  The rounds were reasonable price, consistent, and Midway had a great shipping program.  I could fly to Arizona or Florida, and the ammunition would be waiting for me.

Not sure what MagTech has for power factor in .38spl right now or best shipping company vs. company, but that is my two cents.

[alfsauve]

I check and the only one that would work would be Sellier & Bellot brand by MagTech, SB38P.   Not to be confuse with MagTech's 38P.    Cabela's and Midway don't carry it, though.  It available from other on-line retailers like Able Ammo.

If I find a box I'll try it, but that'll be down the road.

[les snyder]

http://www.sgammo.com/product/38-special-ammo/50-round-box-38-special-fmj-158-grain-sellier-bellot-ammo-sb38p

[alfsauve]

Yeah.  There are a number of on-line dealers (Able Ammo for one), but I'd just like to pick up 1 box locally and test. 

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

So Atlanta Arms and Ammo has let me down, also.

They advertise their 158gr FMJ as 880fps.    BUT

10 rounds
High 699fps
Low  517
Avg  629  (power factor of 99)
Spread 178
SD  50.5

That PF doesn't event qualify for IDPA!

I know they make ammo for and sponsor many competitive shooters including AMU.  BUT, those guys are mainly shooting 9mm, .40, .45 and .223.  .38 Spl has become an oprhan child.  Low velocity rounds sell well at the range, especially for those pocket revolvers.  PPC and Bullseye just want the bullets to reach the target.

I'm headed to IRC with 500 rds of Armscor USA, 500 rds of reloads and probably 500 rds of the low power stuff just for fun.

[Big Frank]

517 fps is a long way from 880. Any slower and the bullets would just fall out of the muzzle.     699 isn't very close either. I would contact Atlanta Arms and Ammo and tell them their ammo is defective. I doubt you can get a refund but you can let them know why you're never going to buy it again, if you aren't going to.

[alfsauve]

I was about to send a little note to Atlanta Arms but I can't find on their web site where they give a FPS for this load.   They do give a velocity for the PPC stuff.    I could have sworn last week I saw it said 800fps.  That's why I ordered it.   Maybe by tagging them on FB they updated their web page.

 Oh well.   

[Big Frank]

I took a look too and didn't see the fps listed. Just out of curiosity I checked Detroit Bullet Works website to see what they had. They don't list .38 Special at all but I looked at their FAQs and found this. Do you load calibers other than what is on your website? Yes we do, we have dies for over 200 calibers please contact us for a quote about your specific caliber. That's got to be an expensive way to get what you need. I never used any of their ammo so I don't know how good it is, plus that's a long way to ship ammo.

[alfsauve]

[To answer Frank's reply:  I'm looking for OTC ammo, reasonably priced.)

YEAH TO SELLIER AND BELLOT


They claim a MV of 889fps out of a 7.5" test barrel.  I need a 792fps out of my 5" 686 to comfortably compete in ICORE with a pf of 120.
 
Here's the results of testing today using S&B 158gr FMJ,  SB38P, Prod Code V311032U

M60 3"  838fps  132pf
686 4" 827fps   130pf
686 5" 802fps   126pf
686 6" 843fps   133pf


This is not considered +P ammo, btw.

Testing out of a closed breech test barrel is probably best to give comparable results.  Revolvers depending on the cylinder gap, the forcing cone shape and barrel dimensions can vary widely.  I applaud them for publishing the details so that I could make a guess how it would do in my revolvers.


Of note, something I've known is that my 5" 686 doesn't build up the velocity of either my 3" or 4" guns.
 Notice the 3" M60 almost rivals the 6" in velocity.   Goes to show, with revolvers, that barrel length isn't the overall determining factor.

Now to AmmoSeek before the next sanctioned ICORE match.