Ed Harris
posted this
31 August 2015
Fired the Fiocchi .38 S&W Corto 146 LRN for velocity in the 4” Ruger, which has 0.005” cylinder gap.
Fiocchi .38 S&W Corto 146-grain LRN 809 fps, 21 Sd, ES 62, n=12 rds.
RUGER ONLY LOADS For Academic curiosity only:
NOE 359-190FNRD 2.5 Bullseye 738 fps, 17 Sd, 56 ES, n=12 rds.
NOE 359-190FNRD 6.2 #2400 806 fps, 26 Sd, 64 ES, n= 12 rds.
Accurate 36-201D 6.2 #2400 723 fps, 22 Sd, 62 ES, n=12 rds.
My Colt .38 Police Positive 4” SN 3401XX, manufacture date of 1930, is well after introduction of the Police Positive Special with longer frame window. It has cylinder gap 0.005” "Pass” and 0.006” "Hold,” with cylinder throats .3590-.3595", bore .344", with groove dia. .354."
Next is to chronograph the Fiocchi factory loads in the Colt, then try Accurate 36-155D, 36-178D and 36-201D to check point of impact, working up charges to develop 750 +/-30 with the 155D, 700 +/- 30 with the 178D and 600 +/- 30 with the 201D, which I believe should be safe in the older gun.
I expect that correct charges will be in the neighborhood of 2.5 Bullseye or 6.2 #2400 with 155D and 5.5 #2400 or 2.0 Bullseye with 178D and 201D, though will fire velocity checks in the Ruger first as sanity check!
I may also try Accurate 37-125T (heavy 9x18 Makarov bullet) sized .359 to see if I can get something around 830 +/-30 fps. in the Colt. I ordered my mold of this profile to drop .360+ in wheelweight rather than its normal .365+” intended for the Makarov PM pistol).
73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia