ATTENTION: Effective Sept 1, 2020, the BBTI Project is in "Archive Status." No further tests will be conducted, but we will maintain this site and data for the use of the firearms community. Thank you. |
.38 Special Results in fps
Click here
for a Muzzle Energy graph for the tests in this caliber.  And remember to also
check the list of ammunition tested as part of the
Cylinder Gap tests.
barrel length |
Cor Bon 110 gr. JHP |
Cor Bon 125 gr. JHP |
Cor Bon 110 gr. DPX |
Federal 125 gr. Hydra-shok JHP |
Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot HP |
18" | 1243 | 1190 | 1332 | 1247 | n/a |
17" | 1211 | 1209 | 1298 | 1233 | n/a |
16" | 1298 | 1261 | 1388 | 1252 | 1315 |
15" | 1220 | 1210 | 1301 | 1231 | 1255 |
14" | 1187 | 1180 | 1274 | 1214 | 1264 |
13" | 1151 | 1182 | 1311 | 1199 | 1247 |
12" | 1181 | 1164 | 1298 | 1192 | 1233 |
11" | 1200 | 1144 | 1232 | 1178 | 1242 |
10" | 1163 | 1135 | 1232 | 1182 | 1217 |
9" | 1162 | 1129 | 1230 | 1144 | 1209 |
8" | 1105 | 1092 | 1214 | 1119 | 1189 |
7" | 1095 | 1069 | 1171 | 1094 | 1145 |
6" | 1021 | 1014 | 1106 | 1052 | 1115 |
5" | 1009 | 1045 | 1129 | 1029 | 1101 |
4" | 1013 | 996 | 1084 | 954 | 1027 |
3" | 851 | 854 | 963 | 831 | 892 |
2" | 675 | 723 | 814 | 700 | 756 |
real* world weapons |
Cor Bon 110 gr. JHP |
Cor Bon 125 gr. JHP |
Cor Bon 110 gr. DPX |
Federal 125 gr. Hydra-shok JHP |
Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot HP |
Stoeger Buntline 18" barrel |
1135 | 1115 | 1180 | 1085 | 1131 |
Winchester 94AE 16" barrel |
1261 | 1256 | 1392 | 1210 | 1289 |
Colt Python 6" barrel |
1015 | 983 | 1014 | 871 | 890 |
Korth revolver 5.875" barrel |
1068 | 1093 | 1101 | 1009 | 992 |
S & W 627-3 w/ brake 5.625" barrel |
986 | 903 | 1008 | 930 | 942 |
S & W 627-3 w/o brake 5" barrel |
972 | 909 | 1026 | 918 | 988 |
Colt Diamond- back 4" barrel |
1003 | 939 | 1017 | 865 | 957 |
S & W 686 4" barrel |
1018 | 1027 | 1064 | 923 | 1025 |
Bond Texas Defender 3" barrel |
n/a | 900 | 1020 | 853 | 885 |
Colt Det. Special 2.125" barrel |
816 | 893 | 988 | 858 | 928 |
S & W 642 1.875" barrel |
940 | 911 | 961 | 847 | 897 |
*see also .357 magnum real world tests