Pistol with flattest trajectory?
- Thread starter windstrings
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Cherry-pick indeed. I included that for fairness sake. Every load is not identical, else what would be the point?
Point 1).38Super is no where close to "the flattest shooting". I doubt it makes the top 10.
Point 2)The .357sig beats it EASILY and by 200, even 300, fps in SHORTER barrels. Yes, in some data it's only 20 or 30 fps. That is literally the exception that proves the rule.
Point 3)Neither is appropriate for squirrels.
.357 sig is nothing compared to the 9x25 Dillon.
Think .357 sig on steroids, since it uses the full size 10mm auto case.
We're talking 2100FPS with a 90 grain bullet from a 6'' bbl.
1800FPS w/ 115 grainers
1700FPS w/ 124 gr
.38 super is what? 1400fps with a 115 grain bullet. 400fps difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwZ1OpLscjQ
Neck the 9x25 down to .308 and you should be achieving more velocity than .30 carbine in a pistol length barrel with equal weight bullets. With lighter bullets (85 grains) and a 6'' barrel, you're looking at velocities comparable to 7.62x39, .300blackout with carbine length (16in) barrels.
Think .357 sig on steroids, since it uses the full size 10mm auto case.
We're talking 2100FPS with a 90 grain bullet from a 6'' bbl.
1800FPS w/ 115 grainers
1700FPS w/ 124 gr
.38 super is what? 1400fps with a 115 grain bullet. 400fps difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwZ1OpLscjQ
Neck the 9x25 down to .308 and you should be achieving more velocity than .30 carbine in a pistol length barrel with equal weight bullets. With lighter bullets (85 grains) and a 6'' barrel, you're looking at velocities comparable to 7.62x39, .300blackout with carbine length (16in) barrels.
Last edited:
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Well, I wasn't sure if the OP was ready for the "full-power" one just yet. But if he's huntin BIG squirrels, then yeah, may have to recommend the 20mm pistol instead.
Seriously, now that we know your parameters better, the .17 Hummer is perfect. But if you really want to step up, .17 WSM rimfire, or centerfires: .17 Hornet, .17 Rem Fireball, .17 Mach IV
windstrings
Inactive
Yea, 17 rifle is great but I want something I can holster for easy travel and greater challenge.
I love deer hunting with my S&W 460 XVR
Smaller cal the better with light grain... . 17 seems nice
I love deer hunting with my S&W 460 XVR
Smaller cal the better with light grain... . 17 seems nice
windstrings
Inactive
This looks nice!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=438781047
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=438781047
Tucker 1371
New member
windstrings
Inactive
Nice looking gun, 8 rounds, but discontinued... Good looking bullet but not near as aerodynamically designed as the hmr . 17 hence prob not bear the accuracy and even distance , but without more research can't bring myself to spend that much on a Taurus!
If there's one this S&W does well it's revolvers.
My 460 is silky smooth!
RickB, The 38 Super Auto compared to the 357 Sig discussion got me curious. While I don't see either as a squirrel round, I too did not think they were that different in velocity.
The data I looked at did also test the sig with a shorter barrel. In the 124-125 bullets, the fastest loads for both were with the 125. If I am reading the tables right, the 357 sig's fastest 125 load was 1438 fps and the fastest 125 out of the 38 super auto was 1399. The Sig is faster even giving up 1" of barrel but not a big difference. Below is the link to Hodgdon's load data as I may have read it wrong. YMMV
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
windstrings
Inactive
Excellent article http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Oh, yes - the Raging Hornet - that may just be the ticket - or a single shot precision rifle like a T/C Contender or Magnum Research Lone Eagle in a varmint chambering.
My bad - I forget we were doing handguns.
My bad - I forget we were doing handguns.
Well crap I guess I shouldn't hav shot all those squirrels I have with a 357 either.
You'd be suprised how little damage a 38 cal fmj or hard cast does to small game much less than a Stinger, 22 Mag JHP or 17 HMR.
As to the 38 Super vs 357 Sig, if you have the right Super you can use 9X23 data
windstrings
Inactive
Well crap I guess I shouldn't hav shot all those squirrels I have with a 357 either.
You'd be suprised how little damage a 38 cal fmj or hard cast does to small game much less than a Stinger, 22 Mag JHP or 17 HMR.
As to the 38 Super vs 357 Sig, if you have the right Super you can use 9X23 data
I think that's the secret "fmj"... Even a 17 hmr hollow point would tear whole sections of body away on a squirrel!
Creek Henry
New member
I used to be quite capable of hitting a coffee can out to 100 yards with my AMT 22mag automag. I know that round is passe now but it is still a thumper on small game.
The secret to shooting squirrels (for food) with any large caliber gun is to "bark" them. We used to take squirrels with 12ga shotguns, and done right there is all the squirrel left.
The secret is to not shoot the squirrel, but the "bark" it is on. Particularly near the head. Done right, you get a nearly intact dead squirrel.
Takes a little practice, and is a bit harder than directly hitting the squirrel with a small caliber bullet, but if you have a large caliber gun, and want any usable meat left, its the way to do it.
The secret is to not shoot the squirrel, but the "bark" it is on. Particularly near the head. Done right, you get a nearly intact dead squirrel.
Takes a little practice, and is a bit harder than directly hitting the squirrel with a small caliber bullet, but if you have a large caliber gun, and want any usable meat left, its the way to do it.
Sheikyourbootie
New member
Not the flattest trajectory compared to some of the ones you guys listed, but flat enough with a heavy enough round to use on hogs and deer, should the need arise. Might damage the meat on a squirrel, though. Just a bit.
140 grains at 1550 ft/sec isn't too shabby.
140 grains at 1550 ft/sec isn't too shabby.