Low Budget Shooter
11-29-2017, 12:57 PM
I'm sure there are hobbies I could pursue that would be more beneficial to my family or to mankind, but perfecting the FBI Load sure is a fun one!
Here is the latest from Low Budget Ammo Labs:
Miha's 358429 HP: stick-on wheel weight; 162 grains; Red Carnauba lube; .358
4.4 grains Red Dot
Old Taurus 66 with 3" barrel
average velocity 886 fps low 865 high 910
(FBI's average velocity for Remington load in 1989 for 3" barrel was 871)
shot through 2 layers denim (old jeans) into drained wet paper (old church bulletins)
penetration 6" (estimated 14-15" in gel)
expansion .6"
Why 4.4 grains Red Dot? Average 825 fps with low of 796 fps from 2" Detective Special and average 945 fps with high of 966 fps from 6" Model 19 match almost perfectly the range in which the bullet will expand but not come apart. 5.4 grains Unique is a little faster, on average, but 6" goes fast enough (high of 1038 fps) for bullet to come apart. For anyone who is not using that long of a barrel, 4.5 grains Red Dot or 5.4 grains Unique would be a little better, I think.
In the next phase of testing, I hope to find out what load of Bullseye gives similar velocities.
P.S. XTP at 850 fps is about the best you can squeeze out of a pocket .380; not too shabby, but distinctly inferior to 9mm or 38 Special.
P.S. Simple regular-pressure 9mm load with inexpensive Hornady bullet produces impressive result. I prefer 38 Special and 357 Magnum, but I am NOT a 9mm basher!
P.S. All three of these Taurus guns were bought very cheap used and perform very well.
208666
Here is the latest from Low Budget Ammo Labs:
Miha's 358429 HP: stick-on wheel weight; 162 grains; Red Carnauba lube; .358
4.4 grains Red Dot
Old Taurus 66 with 3" barrel
average velocity 886 fps low 865 high 910
(FBI's average velocity for Remington load in 1989 for 3" barrel was 871)
shot through 2 layers denim (old jeans) into drained wet paper (old church bulletins)
penetration 6" (estimated 14-15" in gel)
expansion .6"
Why 4.4 grains Red Dot? Average 825 fps with low of 796 fps from 2" Detective Special and average 945 fps with high of 966 fps from 6" Model 19 match almost perfectly the range in which the bullet will expand but not come apart. 5.4 grains Unique is a little faster, on average, but 6" goes fast enough (high of 1038 fps) for bullet to come apart. For anyone who is not using that long of a barrel, 4.5 grains Red Dot or 5.4 grains Unique would be a little better, I think.
In the next phase of testing, I hope to find out what load of Bullseye gives similar velocities.
P.S. XTP at 850 fps is about the best you can squeeze out of a pocket .380; not too shabby, but distinctly inferior to 9mm or 38 Special.
P.S. Simple regular-pressure 9mm load with inexpensive Hornady bullet produces impressive result. I prefer 38 Special and 357 Magnum, but I am NOT a 9mm basher!
P.S. All three of these Taurus guns were bought very cheap used and perform very well.
208666