Shooting the 357 Magnum (loaded to just over 38 Special +P), Hollow Point, 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Taurus 66.

Shooting the 38 Spl +P, solid nose (RNFP), 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Ruger LCR.

Shooting the 45 ACP with a 230 FMJ/TMJ into Clear Ballistics Gel from my 1911.

A redo of the test a performed a couple days prior shooting the 38 Spl +P, Hollow Point, 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Ruger LCR.

Shooting the 38 Spl +P, Hollow Point, 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Ruger LCR. This was the very first test I shot in this series.

Shooting the 44 Magnum loaded with the 200 grain Speer GDHP at about 1035 fps into Clear Ballistics Gel from my S&W 629.

Shooting the 45 ACP cast with the round hollow point into Clear Ballistics Gel from my 1911.

Many before me have discussed 38 Special wadcutter, its accuracy, and its ability to be a crusher. Ed Harris documented the effects of the DEWC (full wadcutter) in 38 Special very well for us to reflect upon all of its goodness. This got me to thinking; if it was this good and still yet very […]

Shooting the 44 Magnum cast with the large round hollow point, 1:16 alloy with a BHN of 10.4 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my S&W 29 with a 6.5" barrel.

Shooting the 44 Special cast with the large round hollow point, 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Charter Arms Bulldog.

Shooting the 44 Special cast with the penta hollow point, 1:40 alloy with a BHN of 8.0 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Charter Arms Bulldog.

Shooting the 44 Special loaded with the 200 grain Speer GDHP into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Charter Arms Bulldog.

Shooting the 45 ACP cast with the penta hollow point into Clear Ballistics Gel from my 1911.

Shooting the 44 Special cast with the penta hollow point, 1:16 alloy with a BHN of 10.4 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my S&W 29 with a 6.5" barrel.

Shooting the 45 ACP cast with the round hollow point into Clear Ballistics Gel from my 1911.

Shooting the 357 Magnum (loaded to just over 38 Special +P), Hollow Point, 1:16 alloy with a BHN of 10.4 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Taurus 66.

Shooting the 45 ACP cast with the penta hollow point into Clear Ballistics Gel from my 1911.

This is the first time, to my knowledge…that a Chronograph has ever been used to clock the speed of a cast Hollow Point ‘EXITING’ a jug of water after expansion. The projectile entered the jug at 908 Feet Per Second and exited at 450 FPS. Now that may not seem significant to many of you […]

Shooting the 357 Magnum Hollow Point (loaded to ~1100 fps), 1:25 alloy with a BHN of 8.7 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Taurus 66.

Shooting the 38 Special +P cast with a hollow point from the 1:16 alloy with a BHN of 10.4 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Ruger LCR.

Shooting the 44 Special cast with the penta hollow point, 1:25 alloy with a BHN of 8.7 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my S&W 29 with a 6.5" barrel.

Shooting the 44 Special cast with the penta hollow point, 1:16 alloy with a BHN of 10.4 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Charter Arms Bulldog.

Shooting the 357 Magnum (loaded to just over 38 Special +P), Hollow Point, 1:25 alloy with a BHN of 8.7 into Clear Ballistics Gel from my Taurus 66.

When people first get into reloading, they're usually able to produce fairly accurate rounds with nothing more than a press, reloading manual, and some time at the range.  While this will generally yield good enough results for most folks, there's a certain subset of reloaders who instinctively push for more; be it that extra quarter inch smaller rifle group at 200 yards, or a custom load that just isn't available in any manual.  Whatever the motivation, for these reloaders, a chronograph becomes an essential piece of equipment.