[Hoopster]

Out of the P3at
Rem Golden saber 102gr - 804fps = 146FPE
Double Tap 90gr gold dot - 922fps = 170FPE
Federal AE 95gr FMJ - 864fps = 157FPE

 

[riverkeeper]

Thanks for the info!


About how many rounds of EACH did you use to get the data?

 

[billjohnso20]

Out of the P3at
Rem Golden saber 102gr - 804fps = 146FPE

That's better than I expected from the GS ammo out of the 3AT. I had seen published GS/3AT fps in the mid 700s. Is that speed an average or is it just one shot? I 'm curios as to what the maximum and minimum speed were.

 

[Hoopster]

Sorry for the lack of info! That was just one shot each so I know it may not mean much to some people but hey, it's better than nothing.

 

[forestranger]

5 shots Rem102GS avg'd 787 in mine. hi=806 lo=778
8 " Fed 90HS=874 hi=906 lo=848
5 " CB 80DPX=1020 hi=1035 lo=1009

 

[billjohnso20]

5 shots Rem102GS avg'd 787 in mine. hi=806 lo=778

That's an average of 140 FPE. Of course, that just makes shot placement that much more important. But, then again, everyone who carries a .380 already knew that. AAR, it is still good to know what we're working with. Since I carry Rem GS as my primary SD round, I'm always particularly interested in the GS performance.

Once I can get to the range I'm going to function the Hornady Critical Defense. If I had a Chrono I'd post the results. Maybe someone hear on KTOG with a chrono could do the testing and post it instead. My plan is to use both rounds for SD in my P3AT and LCP.

 

[forestranger]

I haven't tried any of the really hot 380s like BuffaloBore but in chrono/accuracy/wetpack testing I have done, accuracy & fast, accurate followup shots seem to be more important than ammo. The worst 9mm jhp I've tested did much better than best 380.

 

[wheelguy]

Buffalo Bore does kick it up a notch...

 

[Apiarian]

I managed to get a 102gr Rem Golden Saber to clock at 1100fps out of my P3AT today. Needless to say it was not factory.

 

[forestranger]

Whew! Bet that stung!

 

[billjohnso20]

I managed to get a 102gr Rem Golden Saber to clock at 1100fps out of my P3AT today. Needless to say it was not factory.

What were the ingredients and the recipe? I reload practice ammo not carry ammo so I'm just curious.

 

[Apiarian]

First, I believe the load it too hot for the gun. BUT, that may be by just a little. I will do more testing. The case had well defined guppies however no other over-pressure signs. Second, I went through several steps to get there and I MUST point out that all reloaders should ALWAYS work up to whatever load they are testing.

*** THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT TRY THIS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS.

Call it the Santa Barbra Golden Saber. (This was worked up so no-one just jumped into this.) I'm not posting the exact recipe.

On test day the standard SB chronoed at 950fps and the SBGS at an average of 1100fps. I did not go over the standard powder charge so do not think there is any wriggle room in this thing. If anything reductions are warranted not increases.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ROUND AND IT WAS JUST FOR TESTING AND INFORMATION GATHERING. This thing was brutal on the hand. The gun did not hesitate, functioned perfectly and showed no indication of firing anything other than a plinking round. (no pings, dings or any other shows/signs of disagreement)

 

[Apiarian]

As a comparison to the numbers already posted:

I have found a REALLY nice defense load. I loaded lapua cases with 3.6-3.7 grains of Solo 1000 under a 100gr Berry's and another set under 102gr Rem Golden Saber. This chronographs better than factory.

Berry's
Lo 849
Hi 870
Av 857.8
ES 21
SD 9.5
ftlbs 163.5

Rem GS
Lo858
Hi 896
Av 872.4
ES 38
SD 16
ftlbs 172.4

Recoil is very manageable and the cases do not fly to the back forty. There are no pressure signs what-so-ever with the lapua brass. I have not tried it with any other brass. I will work this up a little more but I think this is the sweet spot.

 

[joje]

nice. where do you find your GS bullets?

 

[Apiarian]

Got mine at Pat's reloading, but Midway and other places have them. Seems like they were $14 for 100.