Sig Sauer .38 Super 125gr V-Crown in Clear Ballistics Gel.

[5pins]

Test Gun: 1911
Barrel length: 5 inches.
Ammunition: Sig Sauer .38 Super 125gr V-Crown in Clear Ballistics Gel.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Five shot velocity average: 1212fps
Gel Temperature 73 degrees.

I don’t think the .38 Super had ever been a very popular round for self-defense and it certainly isn’t now. I did, however, pick up a beat-up franking 1911 recently and picked up a box of this Sig .38 Super V-Crown from Target Sports USA. The reality is, there isn’t very much out there in the realm of SD ammo in this caliber.


I got an average five-shot velocity of 1212fps with a high of 1218fps and a low of 1204fps. This gun shoots a little to the left for me and the bottom two holes in the target were probably me. This round refused to feed in my gun. I have never shot anything but ball in it before so I don’t know if its typical with this pistol but it probably is.



I wasn’t able to set up the chronograph for the induvial shots.

Starting off with bare gel, both rounds penetrated to 16 inches. Round one expanded to .64 inches and had a recovered weight of 123.9 grains. Round two expanded to .63 inches with a weight of 124 grains.



Through heavy clothing, round one penetrated to 22.5 inches and expanded to .51 inches and a recovered weight of 123.9 grains. Number two penetrated to 23 inches, expanded to .54 inches and weight 123.9 also.



http://www.general-cartridge.com/

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Pretty good. That's a little more penetration and a little less expansion than I'd want through the clothing, but I'd still use that ammo.

I've had a Super 38 hankering for awhile.

 

[bannockburn]

460Shooter

I agree with your assessment that a little less penetration and a little more expansion would be nice and I would also use that ammo for CCW.

As for your hankering for a .38 Super, I say go for it. It's a lot of fun if you enjoy handloading and tailoring loads to your specific needs.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I just put a Lew Horton 1911 on layaway, looks like I will be buying some SIG ammo too!!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

460Shooter

I agree with your assessment that a little less penetration and a little more expansion would be nice and I would also use that ammo for CCW.

As for your hankering for a .38 Super, I say go for it. It's a lot of fun if you enjoy handloading and tailoring loads to your specific needs.

The problem is I have too many hankerings.

I do enjoy loading and it opened the 10mm door to me. It may with the Super 38 also.

 

[Saleen322]

That is very impressive. Thank you for doing the testing.

 

[TN Outlaw]

I expected the Super 38's higher velocity to cause more expansion but looking at the bullets, those V- Crowns look to be fully expanded for the most part and have full fold back of the jacket so I'm guessing those are pretty thick jackets? Probably just a tough bullet. I have no experience with them.

They got some awesome penetration and there's several instances where over penetration is not a concern and they seem to perform great for those type situations.

Thanks 5pins for all the work

 

[JONWILL]

Thanks for posting this
Also appreciate doing the test at an actual realistic self defense distance

 

[cfullgraf]

The problem is I have too many hankerings.

I do enjoy loading and it opened the 10mm door to me. It may with the Super 38 also.

I'm the opposite, I thinking of adding a 10mm but I'm a big fan and user of 38 Super.

Ah, too many cartridges, not enough time. *sigh*

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'm the opposite, I thinking of adding a 10mm but I'm a big fan and user of 38 Super.

Ah, too many cartridges, not enough time. *sigh*

Indeed! The problem is the 10mm easily surpasses the Super 38 balistically so I have no real need for the 38. That fact however doesn't change my interest at all.

I think it'd be a great offering in several modern carry guns.

 

[cfullgraf]

Indeed! The problem is the 10mm easily surpasses the Super 38 balistically so I have no real need for the 38.

Again, I'm the opposite. I no need for the 10mm but the novelty of owning one would be the interest. 1911's do not fit my carry criteria but I do like to shoot them.

Besides 45 ACP, I have 1911's chambered in 40 S&W, 357 Sig, 38 Super, 9x19, and 38/45 Clerke. I have a barrel, bushing and magazine for 38 AMU but they got "Bubba'd" before they fell into my care.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

The 38 Super gets no respect !