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Specifically, both these boxes have a date with the chrono, because I want to see how close they come to the velocities as measured at the box flap.
On the left, is Hornady's new Critical Defense loading in .32 H&R Magnum; the first new loading in the caliber from a major manufacturer in more than twenty years, as far as I can tell. The claimed 1150fps velocity would be smokin' fast, but even if it topped 1000fps out of my 432PD, it would be plenty acceptable. And while other defense loadings in .32 Mag have been pretty much stuck with the antediluvian 85gr Sierra JHP, Hornady's modern FTX offers a quantum leap in bullet design over the old projectile.
On the right, we have Hornady's Critical Defense Lite .38 Spl loading. The "Lite" does not signify 30% fewer calories than the competitor's loading, but rather a reduced recoil round which, as the pink packaging implies, makes it "A Bullet, But For Girls!®" (I guess the pink ribbon on the side of the box means you can support breast cancer research while you shoot a fool in the face.)
What's interesting is the 90gr FTX bullet combined with the claimed 1200fps velocity and no +P rating. FTX bullets perform pretty well for light-for-caliber projectiles. The old Treasury "Q-load" 110gr +P+ barely broke 1,000fps out of 2" barrels with a bunch of noise and flash, and used a bullet that was designed with slide rules. I'm dying to see how close to the box flap claims this one comes, too.
If the .32 Mag averages over a thousand FPS, I'll likely order a case forthwith and consider myself set on .32 Mag defense ammo for some time to come.
22 comments:
Decent price on the .32 ammo.
Aww they even put the "lite" in pretty girl letters. Is it just the lite ammo that got the pink label treatment?
For girls my fat butt. I'm interested in the numbers you get on the .38 load myself. I normally carry the +P 135gr GDHP, but I'm always interested in seeing what the new kid on the block does.
BTW, I owe you an apology. I'm one of the guys who has commented in the past about being able to pocket carry a J frame with no problem, with the addition at least once that I can pocket my 3" SP101 if needed.
A while back I started dropping some weight. I'm still a big fat guy, but I recently had to buy new pants in a smaller size. Same brand, same cut, no problem right? Oh look. Smaller pockets.
Still enough room that I can carry my 649 without too much trouble, but definitely with less room to spare and the butt almost peeks out of the pocket.
Sorry for being a dork.
BryanP
I'll be most interested in the 32Mag results; presented with one when I retired, it's my 'dress up and go downtown gun' when I don't wanna hulky glock bulge on my hip.
macvs2
Channeling your inner Mr.T?
Is the idea to use the .32 H&R Magnum out of a Nagant revolver? I ask because that's my daughter's handgun.
gvi
With the 38Spl you have to consider that the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone varies from one revolver to another. If the revolver you use to Chrony the ammo has a gap on the high side of tolerance the readings will be unimpressive.
I believe Dan Wesson revolvers came with a .002" feeler gauge so the owner can set the optimum gap when changing barrels.
Al_in_Ottawa
I should, as a social justice crusader, object to the pink and the lite.
But Whitney loves that loading out her old 642. (Which thankfully has CT grips instead of pink ones)
I'm also interested in the Hornady .32 H&R load. Like you I have a 432PD that's a sweet little gun. Getting an effective modern load and bullet design would make me very happy.
I'm awaiting the results of your .38 Spcl testing with great interest. I have some friends with older .38's not rated for +P that are always looking for a new SD load.
Marketing gone mad. A round that will produce good terminal performance out of a lightweight revolver with a short barrel is, indeed, critical. This is why Mrs. Drang prefers to shoot her Firestar .40 over her LCR or LCP, and wears gloves when shooting the latter two.
The cutesy spelling would probably be ignored, but my experience is that most women interesting in buying a gun have no interest in one of the prettified girly versions, and any man recommending one would probably lose points that way.
What Randy said. My Federal Nyclad ammo is nearly as old as my 442-0 Smith.
What's that? My lawn, your feet. You no go there.
Will, I thought an M1 Garand was needed for lawn protection.
Should you happen to have some on-hand, Tam, I sure would like to see how the new Hornady stuff does compared to the Federal 95 gr SWC I settled on for my 431 PD. The back label on the Federal box claims 1020 fps at the muzzle and 220 ft-lbs. I'll have to start trawling YouTube for video of gelatin tests of both bullets. Just checked and don't see anything specific to either round yet.
The Federal 95gr LSWC I had on hand averaged 842 fps out of my 432.
Freaky consistent, too, with an SD of only 9.64 for the 10-round string, and an ES only a hair over 32 fps.
Count me in as another person highly interested in the .32 H&R results. Since I decided I liked my Taurus 731ul more than my Kel-Tec, I have been buying my ammo from HSM. They use a 85gr XTP(better than the Sierra)...but I'm interested in seeing what performance you get with a 15% heavier bullet.
Picked up some 9mm at Wally today for 12.97 a box of 50. 123 grain. Made in Turkey. Have to see how is shoots. They even had some 50 round count boxes of Remington. I think I will wait on the Winchester 500 round box though.
Turkish made WWB? You'll have to report back and tell us if the powder smells as bad as some Wolf ammo ... like sick Camel farts. And, of course, if it's any cleaner than US made WWB.
When I was chronographing my 10mm ammo, I found Hornady's claims to be near exact. Winchester, OTOH, are dirty stinking liars.
When I was chronographing my 10mm ammo, I found Hornady's claims to be near exact. Winchester, OTOH, are dirty stinking liars.
My saintly (very Catholic) and elderly (very 82) mother back in North Carolina says that only hits count. So soft-shooting is a good thing.
She loads her 38 Special snubby with Nyclads, going for a soft-shooting, old-school charm for carry in her trusty Handbag O' Doom.
So far she hasn't shot anybody, but if my older brother keeps misbehaving that could change at any time. I hope.
Chrono'd some Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr 9mm ammo out of my Glock 26, Average was 1107 fps.
Not bad from a short barrel.
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