With uncertain weather, holidays and end-of-year details, it’s hard to preview what exactly comes next in the editorial lineup. Some interesting gear has arrived and we have the run-up to the big trade show of the year at which more new stuff will be announced.
Aside from consumer-oriented material, there are changes in the industry; nothing ‘new’ about that. It’s the ebb and flow of the market, movement of personnel and the availability of materials and components.
And then there’s some information on the ammo front. I’ve received some ammo for evaluation. My evaluations cover velocity, accuracy and whether the round hits to point of aim. These days there isn’t enough in the way of sample size to determine reliability. I also don’t test in gelatin. There are enough people doing that.
The first loads came from Liberty Ammunition. I’ve used their stuff before. It seemed to work quite well, but the “light bullet/high speed” thing has been something to try since Lee Jurras opened Super Vel all those many years ago. The current company personnel tell me their “ammo is designed for different performance than other hollow points.”
The bullets are lighter, the velocity is higher and the bullets have a cavity that’s larger at the bottom.
The previous product from Liberty shot quite well. We’ll check what we can with the new loads.
From Sinterfire, we have new range ammo, 1776 USA. The idea with this load is to provide “lead-free ammo at lead ball costs.” For shooting on an indoor range or for range use in a state that is terrified of lead, the costs of nonlead ammo eat up the shooting budget. Now the ammo, available for dealers from Sports South, is made to compete with conventional ball ammo in cost.
The loads feature a nylon-coated projectile made from a porous alloy. While the projectiles are light for caliber, the website shows that they give a similar recoil impulse and hit to the same point of aim as conventional ball ammo.
We’ll see.
Also on the ammo front, news from the Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Roundup at Gunsite Academy about new defensive ammo for snub revolvers – a wadcutter. Just like that used by your favorite bullseye revolver or PPC revolver except at a higher velocity, it’s a non +P load and suitable for lightweight guns.
Mark Fricke of AFTT, along with Chuck Haggard of Agile Training, had determined that 38 Special wadcutters, fired from snub (1 7/8” – 2” barrels) revolvers tended to penetrate gel blocks to the FBI appropriate distance. While they didn’t expand, “duty” loads that rely on expansion either didn’t expand or did expand and lacked adequate penetration.
With the able assistance of Rob Garrett, they were able to get Georgia Arms to customize a load just for snubs: the G38S, a 148 grain wadcutter, loaded to an advertised 750 fps.
That velocity gets the necessary penetration without excessive recoil.
Mark has tested the round and found that it averages around 700 fps (the fastest of the wadcutter loads tested) and it reaches 13-16” in ballistic gel – even through four layers of denim.
He also found that there is some expansion with the load. I have a box to try and will let you know about the recoil, velocity, and POA/POI versus the loads my revolvers use.
Like the boss says, “We’ll keep you posted.”
-- Rich Grassi