158gr 38 spl rifle velocity?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 158gr 38 spl rifle velocity?

Posted: 11/30/2018 9:52:46 PM EDT

Looking to do something dumb and SBR and suppress a lever gun just for fun since I already have the can and form 1s are quick.

Looking for some velocity data of 158 gr out of a longer barrel and can't find anything in my usual lurks. 16" or 18" is fine, I'll probably be running a 12" or so, haven't cut it yet.

Ideally just looking for factory ammo I can rely on to be subsonic.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Posted: 11/30/2018 10:18:47 PM EDT

[#1]

link

barrel length will significantly effect velocity with 38 / .357
heavier bullets is what you are after and you probably need to reload. I see some up to 190 grain in cast bullets.

Link 158 gr out of a 4 in bbl is 979 fps so probably 20% more from a rifle

Posted: 11/30/2018 10:36:07 PM EDT

[#2]

I’ll sub this thread an try to chrono it.

However, I can absolutely tell you my range, plinking, store bought 38 specials 158 gr do not exhibit sonic crack out of a 16.5 inch barrel where I live.

Posted: 11/30/2018 10:41:02 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
link

barrel length will significantly effect velocity with 38 / .357
heavier bullets is what you are after and you probably need to reload. I see some up to 190 grain in cast bullets.

Link 158 gr out of a 4 in bbl is 979 fps so probably 20% more from a rifle

View Quote

Much appreciated. Looks like 944 fps out of an 18", so I'll be golden out of anything shorter. May even try some 148s just for the hell of it.

Quoted:
I’ll sub this thread an try to chrono it.

However, I can absolutely tell you my range, plinking, store bought 38 specials 158 gr do not exhibit sonic crack out of a 16.5 inch barrel where I live.

View Quote

Please do, I'd always like to see some more data!

Posted: 11/30/2018 10:42:22 PM EDT

[#4]

I am doing just this.

I am reloading 158gr FP with 3.9gr of Bullseye which from the specs a 6" barrel gets it up to 874FPS. I figure a 16" barrel might get it up to 900-950 FPS which is just about perfection for suppressing.

Posted: 11/30/2018 10:49:32 PM EDT

[#5]

Federal .38 Special 158 gr Lead RN came out of my Winchester Trapper 16" at 1015 fps.

Posted: 12/1/2018 7:01:03 AM EDT

[#6]

Don't have a 357, but I found it difficult to find 44spl that remained subsonic in a rifle. I tried 4 types and only one was subsonic from a 16 inch barrel.
I also grew tired of cleaning the carbon ring left when shooting spl before I could shoot mag ammo.
I gave up on the spl and load only magnum now.

Posted: 12/1/2018 7:08:37 AM EDT

[#7]

http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

Posted: 12/1/2018 12:24:24 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

View Quote

That link isn't of much use since they didn't test 158gr bullets.

It is interesting that all loads benefit from extra barrel length though it seems all start slowing down past 16".

Posted: 1/8/2019 1:05:32 AM EDT

[#9]

This thread pertains to my interests as well.

Does anyone know the velocity on 125 or 130 grain 38 specials from a rifle (18.5") barrel?

I'm on a quest to find the quietest 38 load for suppression without reloading.

Posted: 1/8/2019 9:13:45 AM EDT

[#10]

I never got back to post my chrono data.

3.9gr, Bullseye 158gr TFP (Berry's) in a 38Spl +P case. I used the Alliant +P data and it estimated 847FPS from a 6" barrel.

I got a very consistent 950FPS from a 16" Marlin CST.

They were super fun to shoot, very quiet and just a touch punchy.

Posted: 1/8/2019 9:16:05 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
This thread pertains to my interests as well.

Does anyone know the velocity on 125 or 130 grain 38 specials from a rifle (18.5") barrel?

I'm on a quest to find the quietest 38 load for suppression without reloading.

View Quote

I don't know for sure, but I am going to bet you will be hard pressed to find a lighter bullet that will be subsonic from a 16"+ barrel. 158's "tend" to be subsonic across the spectrum in 38SPL. You will most likely be stuck with 158's.

Posted: 2/3/2019 4:23:09 AM EDT

[#12]

Powder coated 158gr bullets I got (20” barrel)

(.38 special +P)5.4gr CFE pistol MAX

1. 962.3
2. 957.3
3. 1014
4. 1005

AVG: 984fps

Posted: 2/3/2019 4:35:30 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Powder coated 158gr bullets I got (20” barrel)

(.38 special +P)5.4gr CFE pistol MAX

1. 962.3
2. 957.3
3. 1014
4. 1005

AVG: 984fps

View Quote

Good data. Thanks for sharing. Got my barrel and receiver back from getting chopped. I’ll have to crono it the next time I take it out. Only have factory 158 magtech, though.

Posted: 2/6/2019 3:37:55 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good data. Thanks for sharing. Got my barrel and receiver back from getting chopped. I’ll have to crono it the next time I take it out. Only have factory 158 magtech, though.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Powder coated 158gr bullets I got (20” barrel)

(.38 special +P)5.4gr CFE pistol MAX

1. 962.3
2. 957.3
3. 1014
4. 1005

AVG: 984fps

Good data. Thanks for sharing. Got my barrel and receiver back from getting chopped. I’ll have to crono it the next time I take it out. Only have factory 158 magtech, though.

No problem! Is your gun a 357? If so you might want to just use 357. Great thing is you can load them down to a 38spl in energy/velocity and not worry about the soot ring from the smaller 38 case. Also, since you are shooting mike loads, doesn’t put a lot of pressure on your brass. They will reload x times more.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 158gr 38 spl rifle velocity?

Armory » Lever Action Rifles

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