Armscor 38 Special & 357 Magnum Velocity Chrono Test 6" Barrel .38spl .357mag

Published on July 2, 2025
Duration: 5:32

This video presents a chronograph test of Armscor .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammunition fired from a 6-inch barrel Rossi RM66 revolver. The presenter notes that advertised velocities for .357 Magnum, particularly with 158-grain bullets, are often for rifle-length barrels and not achievable from a handgun. The tested Armscor loads produced lower-than-expected velocities and recoil, feeling more like .38 Special. The presenter also shares past negative experiences with Armscor ammunition reliability.

Quick Summary

Advertised velocities for .357 Magnum, especially with 158-grain bullets, are often stated for carbine or rifle-length barrels. Handgun barrels, like the 6-inch Rossi RM66 used here, will produce significantly lower velocities. Tested Armscor loads felt like .38 Special and had less recoil than Federal or CCI Blazer Brass.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Rossi RM66
  2. 00:30Ammunition for Testing
  3. 00:54Advertised vs. Realistic Velocities
  4. 02:00Armscor Ammunition Concerns
  5. 03:14.38 Special Chronograph Results
  6. 03:42.357 Magnum Chronograph Results
  7. 04:09Analysis of Results & Recoil
  8. 04:23Comparison to Other Ammunition
  9. 04:45Final Thoughts on Armscor Velocity
  10. 05:00Outro & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical advertised velocities for .357 Magnum ammunition?

Advertised velocities for .357 Magnum, especially with heavier bullets like 158 grains, are often stated for carbine or rifle-length barrels. These figures are not representative of what a 5- or 6-inch handgun barrel will achieve due to differences in barrel length and powder burn.

How did Armscor .357 Magnum perform in a 6-inch barrel test?

In this test with a 6-inch barrel Rossi RM66, Armscor .357 Magnum loads produced lower-than-expected velocities and very mild recoil, feeling more like .38 Special ammunition. This suggests the loads were on the lighter side for the caliber.

Are there known reliability issues with Armscor ammunition?

The presenter has personally experienced reliability issues with Armscor ammunition in the past, including case ruptures and frequent duds across various calibers. While acknowledging it's likely fine most of the time, they've had more problems with Armscor than other brands.

Which ammunition brands performed better in this test?

Federal American Eagle and CCI Blazer Brass ammunition showed more recoil and higher velocities compared to the Armscor loads tested in this video. This indicates they are generally loaded to higher performance standards for handguns.

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