Velocity difference between 2" and 4" revolvers

[rikilii]

Anyone have any data about how much your muzzle velocity increases using the same ammo in a 2" vs. a 4" barrel revolver?

If it matters, assume velocity with the 2" is 1000 fps.

[knight0334]

It depends on the cartridge. It can vary as little as 20fps to as much as 100fps, or more.

Another factor is barrel gap too. The bigger the gap, the less gain.

This link has results over several lengths of barrel per cartridge. Most only go down to 3", then on up to 18-20". You can guesstimate the inch between 2" and 3" as about 40fps on average.

http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

[rikilii]

Interesting, thanks for the link.

I was interested in this because I accidentally bought a box of Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 ammo.

Based on their website, I believe it's rated at 990 FPS out of a short barreled gun (i.e. around 2 inches), but I wanted to know if it would be a decent ammo to shoot out of my 4 inch Model 66, or if I should get something else.

Based on the chart it looks like I can expect a pretty respectable velocity out of it in my gun.

[Rundownfid]

Here are a couple examples:
38+p
131 gr Lead HP/ 5.0 Solo 1000
2" Model 638 856 FPS
4" Model 19 971 FPS

Heres one you might not want to try:
.357 Mag
158 Gr LSWC/ 10.0 gr 4756
3" Model 60 = 1222 fps
Marlin 1984 = 1610 fps
Above is a hot hunting load, I just had to try it in the 3" J frame but don't recommend it.

As you can see barrel length is important, but a few FPS isn't worth as much as shoot ability and accuracy, in my opinion.

[rikilii]

Here are a couple examples:
38+p
131 gr Lead HP/ 5.0 Solo 1000
2" Model 638 856 FPS
4" Model 19 971 FPS

Heres one you might not want to try:
.357 Mag
158 Gr LSWC/ 10.0 gr 4756
3" Model 60 = 1222 fps
Marlin 1984 = 1610 fps
Above is a hot hunting load, I just had to try it in the 3" J frame but don't recommend it.

As you can see barrel length is important, but a few FPS isn't worth as much as shoot ability and accuracy, in my opinion.

Thanks for the additional info.

I don't really have any trouble shooting full power .357 loads with this guns...it's pretty heavy. Perhaps the low flash of the short barrel ammo will be a nice compromise for losing 100 or 200 fps.