For all you 38/357 wheelgun fans, I thought I would share some information about the performance of Federal Punch 120 grain JHP ammunition through 3 different S&W revolvers.
For this test I used a 340PD with 1.88" barrel, a 60-4 with 3" barrel, and a 19 with 4" barrel.
I fired 5 rounds of Federal Punch through each of the revolvers over a Competition Electronics ProChronoLTD 10 feet from the muzzle. Conditions were overcast and 47 degrees outside. Federal rates this ammo at 1000 FPS.
Results:
S&W 340PD 1.88" Barrel
859/867/860/845/810 FPS
Average FPS 848
ES 57
S&W 60-4 3" Barrel
1031/1050/1015/1038/1018
Average FPS 1030
ES 35
S&W 19 4" Barrel
976/988/987/1004/991 FPS
Average FPS 989
ES 28
(Note the extra performance through the 38 Special 60-4 3" barrel vs the 357 model 19 with the longer barrel)
Next up was some expansion testing through water filled milk jugs at a distance of 10 feet from the muzzle. Nothing fancy just bare jugs.
Results:
Recovered bullet weights:
340PD - 120.1 grains
60-4. - 112.1 grains
19 - 116.9 grains
I was pretty happy with the overall performance of Federal Punch 120 grain JHP 38 Special +P through all 3 revolvers. Recoil wasn't too bad at all in the J frames and pleasant in the K frame.
Expanded bullets were all recovered in the 3rd milk jug with the exception of the bullet fired out of the 1.88" barrel 340PD which was recovered from the 4th jug. I find this to be about average when testing other premium hollow points know to be good performers.
So far I really like this load. I'm glad I purchased a small supply at a good price. It's not always easy finding a decent 38 Special jhp load on the store shelf!
