ammunition weights
- Thread starter microtech
- Start date
FWIW I've loaded 135gr thru 200 gr round nose and hollow points for .40.
I've also assigned my own "impact" number to each load on my reloading spreadsheet...... mass x velocity.
Loaded all at mid-range charge with all these surprisingly the heaviest or the lightest are neither the winner in the "impact" column.
It was actually the 150gr jacketed round nose.
However, as others have said shot placement is everything so if I had a column for 'Effectiveness' the 200 gr hp would be the winner as I am statistically much more accurate at all yardages with this load.
I've also assigned my own "impact" number to each load on my reloading spreadsheet...... mass x velocity.
Loaded all at mid-range charge with all these surprisingly the heaviest or the lightest are neither the winner in the "impact" column.
It was actually the 150gr jacketed round nose.
However, as others have said shot placement is everything so if I had a column for 'Effectiveness' the 200 gr hp would be the winner as I am statistically much more accurate at all yardages with this load.
Bismarck357
New member
This is a qeastion with a 1,000 answers, so here's mine: Buy a few boxes of different weights,(+p and +p+ as well) then take about 5 milk jugs and fill them with water. Place the jugs in a row pointing away from you and choose a distence that you feel "comfortable" with. You then fire through them,(each time up-grading the power of the load you are useing). Once you find the round that does the most damage and that you can handle the felt-recoil well thats the round for you. I could go on and on but I think my point is clear.
Poseidon28
Moderator
"I am trying to figure out what the benefits are for different types of bullet weights. For self defense, is it more effective to have a heavier weight bullet ex: 147gr which has a slightly slower velocity and muzzle energy, or is it more effective to have a lighter bullet, ex: 115gr with a higher velocity and higher muzzle energy rating. This question pertains to all different types of ammo but for my specific case, 9mm ammo being fired from a usp compact. "
Both work. Problem is will you get enough penetration on your target?
Question is are you going to be able to get enough speed out of your usp compact with light bullets to make them work?
I'd start doing a search for ballistic tests on your particular gun, and see what sort of results you can find.
If you can't find exactly your gun used, this is a good place to start:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/124gr +P Speer Gold Dot.html
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Hollowpoint Versus FMJ.html
Your ammo choice is NOT a general discussion. It's specific to YOUR gun, and your barrel length.
Also, as bullet weight goes up, the rules change. And, bullet design is huge.
General rules:
115 grains needs 1350-1450 fps to be famous. I.E. the famous effectiveness of the .357 used by LEO's so effectively.
Ball ammo tumbles, so, it's wound channel is bigger then many think.
Good luck, and, draw your own conclusions.
Both work. Problem is will you get enough penetration on your target?
Question is are you going to be able to get enough speed out of your usp compact with light bullets to make them work?
I'd start doing a search for ballistic tests on your particular gun, and see what sort of results you can find.
If you can't find exactly your gun used, this is a good place to start:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/124gr +P Speer Gold Dot.html
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Hollowpoint Versus FMJ.html
Your ammo choice is NOT a general discussion. It's specific to YOUR gun, and your barrel length.
Also, as bullet weight goes up, the rules change. And, bullet design is huge.
General rules:
115 grains needs 1350-1450 fps to be famous. I.E. the famous effectiveness of the .357 used by LEO's so effectively.
Ball ammo tumbles, so, it's wound channel is bigger then many think.
Good luck, and, draw your own conclusions.
Regular Joe
New member
No! Ball ammo does NOT "tumble". Not by design, anyway. Wound channel characteristics are very hard to predict. When the word "tumble" is used, it normally refers to only a slight deviation from straight travel, more correctly called "yaw".
Those were good links to brassfetcher, above. Look over the left side of the page to see other calibers. Here's the index for 9 x 19 (9mm Luger):
http://www.brassfetcher.com/9mm%20Luger.html
Here's another very good one to help in your understanding:
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/
My preferred load for 9 x 19 uses the Rem. 124 gr. Golden Saber, but in terms of terminal performance, there is little practical difference between the "premium" JHP loads. Other points already covered matter more, the most important being function in your gun, and accuracy with you as shooter.
Those were good links to brassfetcher, above. Look over the left side of the page to see other calibers. Here's the index for 9 x 19 (9mm Luger):
http://www.brassfetcher.com/9mm%20Luger.html
Here's another very good one to help in your understanding:
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/
My preferred load for 9 x 19 uses the Rem. 124 gr. Golden Saber, but in terms of terminal performance, there is little practical difference between the "premium" JHP loads. Other points already covered matter more, the most important being function in your gun, and accuracy with you as shooter.
Poseidon28
Moderator
If you look at these long enough, you start to see a pattern:
I guess I should say 9mm ball tends to tumble quiet often.
vs. 45 ball:
I think the above characteristics don't happen by chance. Military can't use HP's, SP's, only FMJ, so, they design bullets that will do the maximum damage possible, not just go straight through the target.
I guess I should say 9mm ball tends to tumble quiet often.
vs. 45 ball:
I think the above characteristics don't happen by chance. Military can't use HP's, SP's, only FMJ, so, they design bullets that will do the maximum damage possible, not just go straight through the target.
JMBstudent
New member
This is truly a never ending argu......discussion.
The FBI as the result of an infamous shoot out in Miami several years ago, conducted a very thorough evaluation of 38 and 9mm pistols.
For the FBI purposes they abandoned both of the previous mentioned calibers and decided 10mm pistols were significantly more effective. However many agents had difficulty with the 10mm so the FBI settled upon the 40 cal pistols.
The LA bank shoot out against fully armored bad guys caused the LAPD to issue AR15 rifles and 40 cal pistols.
Most law enforcement today depend upon 40 caliber pistols.
These are law enforcement people with problems like shooting at people through car windows, car bodies, plate glass and somtimes body armor.
The typical civilian shootout usually is close person to person combat. No car windows or car bodies, or other intermediate barriers.
Ultimately, what is learned from these experiences somehow rarely affects the decisions of the pistol buying public.
So buy and use what you want, most folks have decided from a magazine or the internet what to have and really aren't interested in the opinions of others.
Practice with whatever you choose and have a plan for when you may need a firearm, this will count for more than what size blaster you have.
The FBI as the result of an infamous shoot out in Miami several years ago, conducted a very thorough evaluation of 38 and 9mm pistols.
For the FBI purposes they abandoned both of the previous mentioned calibers and decided 10mm pistols were significantly more effective. However many agents had difficulty with the 10mm so the FBI settled upon the 40 cal pistols.
The LA bank shoot out against fully armored bad guys caused the LAPD to issue AR15 rifles and 40 cal pistols.
Most law enforcement today depend upon 40 caliber pistols.
These are law enforcement people with problems like shooting at people through car windows, car bodies, plate glass and somtimes body armor.
The typical civilian shootout usually is close person to person combat. No car windows or car bodies, or other intermediate barriers.
Ultimately, what is learned from these experiences somehow rarely affects the decisions of the pistol buying public.
So buy and use what you want, most folks have decided from a magazine or the internet what to have and really aren't interested in the opinions of others.
Practice with whatever you choose and have a plan for when you may need a firearm, this will count for more than what size blaster you have.
cougar gt-e
New member
The best weight is the one that hits the center of the target.