.38 Special 2" Vs 4" Series- Episode 1. Super-Vel 90 gr. JHP

[@GunSam]

I wanted to make a public service announcement about this ammo. After filming this video, I went to open up my J-frame revolver from the one round that was fired into the Jug-or-Not box, and the revolver was locked up. It took a few minutes to get the cylinder free as the case expansion/primer back-out etc cause this issue. I would consider this a failure on the part of the ammunition to make a reload in a moment of need impossible.

[@edj6369]

Thank you for letting us know. Not being able to open the cylinder for a reload isn’t good. What’s worse is having it jam before needing to reload. A good reminder to keep an eye on our brass, especially when shooting higher pressure loads.

[@willknowdoggs9595]

Quality video. Love that you test uncommon ammo for us, saving us the cost of experimentation. Great concept, the snubby vs the full size revolver, more please.

[@GunSam]

Thank you. I will make many more!

[@LionquestFitness]

Good video - good assessment - I like your conclusion about collateral damage.

[@GunSam]

Thank you, thanks for watching!

[@GeographyCzar]

Brilliant series idea!

[@GunSam]

Thanks!

[@lucassi93]

Hello from argentina! Great video, i carry a 2,25” sp101 38 spl! And your info is realy usefull

[@rossgreenzweig]

That super vel does a number on initial impact!! Good video. Thank you!!

[@GunSam]

Thank you, thanks for watching! Looks like a good round to put a hurtin on something that might be less lethal than some.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks again for the work you put into these tests. I'm really looking forward to this series.

[@GunSam]

Thanks for watching. It's going to be a fun series as I already have a lot of ammo on hand, so my cost is low yet it's a very relevant topic.

[@Me2Lancer]

@@GunSam I'm sure you do. I'm especially interested in Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, Critical Defense and Critical Duty. That said, you no doubt have your plans and priorities established.

[@MPGunther1]

Thank you for your efforts in putting this together. I think I'll pass on Super-Vel

[@GunSam]

And thanks goes as much to my viewers, as i'd be nowhere without them!

[@z28roc39]

Haha! Somehow the first time I watched, I missed the whole 90gr. Part. I thought your chrono was freaking out when I saw those velocities. It all made sense when I watched again. Thanks for the video, I love .38/.357.

[@GunSam]

I forgot to mention it. I will have to put it in the video description. Thanks for watching!

[@lax0598]

Hooooly cow!! I have some 9mm 90gr shot only a few rounds and it’s super accurate in my Taurus G2S.

[@YellowHammer26]

👍👍 looked about the same in both Barrell lengths, but like you I don't think I would trust this ammo.

[@GunSam]

Lots of recoil and case swelling for a bullet that won't penetrate isn't the best!

[@millsjordan30]

Ooooooh this is intresting

[@GunSam]

Thanks!

[@darenfitzpatrick1270]

Interesting test. I expected those to perform better. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@GunSam]

I'm thinking either Critical Defense+P or Buffalo Bore Tac-XP.

[@bowman321123]

Fun video watching you make creamed bologna for lunch. I'm thinking though, that I will probably stick with wadcutters for my LCR, rather than having any concerns about issues with the higher pressure ammo. Thanks for all you do!

[@GunSam]

Wadcutters can be pretty good if loaded right. Thanks for watching!

[@balancedfordaylight1]

super vel needs to make a standard pressure version of this load running about 1100 fps from the snub (or a 110 at 1000fps) less recoil less likely to lock up your revolver and would likely still perform really well..........................................

[@GunSam]

If they made a 110 gr at about 1,000 FPS I think it would do well. That probably would equate 1,100 FPS if the bullet was still 90 gr. I think 90 gr@ 1,100 FPS with a slight tweak to the lead alloy in the core would do them well.

[@JohnDoe-vq8bg]

Velocity is not always our friend. @ 950 - 1000 fps that particular projectile would perform much better. I am of the camp that most if not all expanding handgun bullets run at their best around 925 - 1000 fps. None expanding around 650 - 700 fps. These velocities are for carry ammo only.

[@GunSam]

I don't have a lot of experience in all bullet weights, but I have noticed that a 110 gr HP at about 950/1,000 FPS is the most consistent performing .38's I have tested, it seems like all designs and materials of bullets at that weight and velocity perform well.

[@JohnDoe-vq8bg]

Please Sam, point to a channel that's shot more 38 special on the tube. Ain't happening. You're the most active & persistent 38 special and shooter here... Furthermore, what's more comfortable, reliable and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling than a 38 snub? Besides a 357 snub loaded with 38 +? Yeah, the argument of the century. Have fun and stay safe.

[@dangerman007]

Thanks for testing this. My first impression, based on velocity and nothing being left of the bologna, I would say a great round. However, penetration is lacking (remember the Miami FBI shooting Silvertip failed to penetrate and bad guy continued to fight and kill) and also the recoil in a snub looks brutal (most likely a person would pick this round to use in a short barrel to guarantee expansion of the hollow point.) The final nail in the coffin for me on this cartridge is causing the revolver to jam. NO THANK YOU!

[@edj6369]

Thanks for pointing out the commonly seen correlation between case capacity, barrel length and velocity. I learned something. Penetration is a challenge for light bullets but at 1500 FPS I was surprised to see it stop in the second jug. Is it possible these HPs are opening earlier than most, as indicated by the badly shredded bologna? Or is that due to the high velocity, as we’ve seen from some 357 tests?

[@robertsutphen2333]

Thanks, nice demonstration. I have a new S&W 638 that I’ve put 100 rds through so far and I love it. I have 4 semi ‘s but .....I’m enjoying and leaning towards the wheel guns !?

[@GunSam]

Thank you.

[@troy9477]

Good test. Seems like the bullets are a bit too light. A little low on penetration. Most of the 110 gr loads you have tested have done better, including 1 or 2 of the standard pressure ones.

[@christopherbishop4927]

Thanks Sam for your Super Vell content, man it's just now become available, again Wuhan craze, and your results are on point with other tests 👍

[@GunSam]

Thanks. Forgot about this test lol

[@Fudmottin]

That ammunition seems to prefer your 686 4" barrel for accuracy. I wonder if those are .356" bullets made for .380 ACP. That's what I used to try and make a smoking 9mm load. The bullets essentially splattered on impact. So while I got some nice velocities, the end result just wasn't up to snuff. I'm sure the slightly heavier TAC-XP bullets will do better. I'm really looking forward to a heated up 148 HBWC load fired both forwards and backwards. Based on your pinned comment, I'm wondering just how close to SAAMI those Super Vels are. How close they are from the high side of 20,000 PSI. Mind you, I suppose the primer pocket could have been out of spec or the primer not seated quite properly. The latter seems more likely. Kind of reminiscent of the Underwood. I knew from your first test of this crazy ammo that I would not be using it.

[@GunSam]

I believe that they are .357" bullets, but at this point I have no way of knowing for sure. I think this might in a way have some insight with the fragmenting ARX ammo. The cases were very tight in the 342 but not the 686...it's possible the chambers are smaller in the 342.

[@Fudmottin]

@@GunSam For the price of the ammunition, you would have to be really curious to find out. Of course all machines, including firearms, have tolerances. No bigger than this, no smaller than that. In between there could be either a very small range (like the sear surface in single action) or a relatively large one like the bullet diameter of lead bullets.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

I believe you needs a wet suit to do this kinda work. That 90 grain is bad ass.

[@GunSam]

It's a showboat round, I like to pull it out when the 9mm fanboys rip the .38 Special. The Super-Vel is not very practical, but smacking at 1,600 FPS at only 90 gr really gives the grenade effect making it seem better than it really is, but i'll take it! Maybe i'll get a raincoat.

[@rubengonzales9150]

I hope people don't follow any advise from these so called gun experts who have no idea how to rait guns or ammo. As for me I'm no gun or ammo expert but i know idiots when i see them

[@GunSam]

I will tell you what, you show me your best videos with your results and we can compare them.

[@BJWeed1]

I wish you would load some 158 grain semi wadcutter hollow point with gas checks on the back I think that would be an interesting test

[@GunSam]

The Buffalo Bore ammo I tested last summer were like that.

[@BJWeed1]

Hornaday has those by the box of 250 for $28

[@GunSam]

@@BJWeed1 I have bought those before, and actually bought the 148 gr Wadcutters in a 250 ct box not too long ago. They do not have a gas check and I do not have experience on installing gas checks. I could probably find something similar with gas checks on them already. Maybe a good compromise would just be to get the Federal 158 gr LSWC HP loaded as L.E. ammo, I have seen that before.

[@WHOTEEWHO]

Should have eaten some of that bologna 🤣🤣🤣

[@GunSam]

Eww ee ewww. LOL. Thanks for watching!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Awesome prairie dog hunting load for carbines. hahaha

[@Graydog-sx6le]

I don’t care much for the recoil for what performance you get out of it. Doesn’t seem worth it. Probably not going to be my ammo choice. Thanks for the awesome videos. Catching up on a couple this morning. Thanks.

[@GunSam]

Thank you, thanks for watching! I have not kept it loaded in any of my revolvers either.

[@dewell1993]

I bet those 38 +p sting in a snubby especially an alloy or polymer frame gun. They must feel like a 357. I've shot hot 357 magnums out of a 2.25" SP101 the other day my gosh they were enough to deter me from ever shooting magnums out of snubbies.

[@GunSam]

The Super-Vel recoil isn't too bad. That's because the 90 gr is light so their's less opposite reaction to cause that heavy intense recoil that you feel with heavy bullets. The main recoil like from powder recoil is pretty high, but that's more of a push that's easy to absorb, as where the heavy bullets hurt more. Example is the 158 gr Buffalo Bore vs this. Both have close to the same energy in a snub but the Buffalo Bore actually does have a sharp sting as where the Super-Vel is more spread out in the hand for felt recoil, because it's not bullet weight recoil but rather just explosion recoil.

[@Zokfend]

Hello Mr. Gun Sam - I am curious about how you aim. Not trying to stir any kind of debate, just curious how YOU do it. Do you front-sight focus, or do you target-focus. Also, (and it's hard to tell from your vids), do you target with both eyes open or do you close your non-dominant eye? (and FYI, I recently purchased a Ruger Security-9, and I've watched many of your videos using it, thank you for your input).

[@GunSam]

Usually when i'm target shooting and trying to land bulls eye's, I will slightly squint my non dominant eye a bit, more so at longer range. Up close combat training where i'm firing fast, both eyes are open. As far as target acquisition for target shooting, I always have my rear sight slightly blurry and I will alternate between the front sight and the target being in focus, with the front sight ultimately being the main focus right before the shot. With combat shooting I just focus on just the front sight.

[@babyblue8214]

I'm curious to know if the Winchester PDX1 .38+p would perform well out of a snub.. I've seen them do well and other times, not so well.. these are plentiful in my area and that's what's loaded in my LCR at this time.

[@GunSam]

I have not tested them but I have tested the Winchester Defend 130 gr standard pressure. Same bullet, but did not perform well. It might in the PDX1 ammo.

[@severeliberty1623]

Sowould like to know if you regret getting rid of your Ruger sp101? Had one traded it away now im missing it and really looking at them again. Just curious if you miss yours????

[@GunSam]

Yes, it was a really cool revolver. I didn't appreciate it as much until it was gone. Very unique design but robust, perfect weight for a snubby to be able to carry yet shoot comfortably with magnums.

[@severeliberty1623]

@@GunSam Thanks!

[@keithgregory7937]

What do you think of the 22 LR in a revolver just want your opinion.

[@GunSam]

Depends on the use. I have nothing against them but for self defense there are far better options. A .38 wadcutter is darn near as low of recoil as a .22 LR but about twice the energy in a snubby with a lot more bullet. Now if someone does not hand load and has two revolvers, one centerfire and one rimfire than this is a pretty good setup to have for practice.

[@JohnDoe-vq8bg]

FBI has caused a great deal of confusion and unnecessary strife in the law enforcement and self defense community. They knew that the south Miami bank robbers were murderers, felons and their signature was carved out with a mini 14. They were under armed by their own MISTAKE. 9MM, 38 And 12 guage shotguns was the reason for excessive death and injuries. If they've all had 10mm semis things would of changed little. All the 12 to 18 inch hoopla, 4 layers of denim malarkey, barrier dog and pony would of changed little. They needed to make that stop with high capacity semi auto rifles. Now many qualify and carry long guns suitable for battle in their vehicles. If anyone ever finds themselves holding a handgun and facing a semi rifle, take cover and as soon as possible run like your life depends on it. The FBI made a fatal mistake. Could I get you to make a video and start this discussion?

[@mackenziejones4890]

Test it out on a real bad guy I bet he don't get up and walk at all

[@freedomfirst5420]

You might as well shoot .357 Magnum in a snubbie, neither are practical or comfortable to shoot, in my opinion.

[@GunSam]

That's probably true. I think the real reason for the Super-Vel being somewhat practical is that small snubby .38's are considerably less expensive vs .357 snubbies, therefor a lot of people have them as opposed to .357's, especially the backup handgun guys :)

[@lucassi93]

Hello from argentina! Great video, i carry a 2,25” sp101 38 spl! And your info is realy usefull

[@GunSam]

Thank you.