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Efective range of a snub nose revolver
- Thread starter Fer
- Start date
Basic is the snub handgun is designed for the ease of carrying period. How the handgun is used is up to the user. Just because one user can't effectively make shots beyond 15 yards shows no representation of the handgun when another user can pick up the same handgun and consistantly make those "football field length shots".Back to basics - snubby pistols are not intended for football field length shots. They're a close up "Oh S*H*T!" firearm meant for up close and personal defense.
Don't try to limit the handgun because of your own limitations.
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I just found my old exterior ballistic nomographs and I offer the following for your consideration:
Given: 38 Special, 150gr LRN, MV 900 fps, ME ~270fp
Remaining Energy at:
100 yds - ~200 fp
300 yds - ~150 fp
500 yds - ~80 fp (25ACP Muzzle Energy = 55fp and this will kill in the
right spot)
750 yds - ~ 53 fp (22Short ME = 53 fp. So will this)
1000yds- ~ 40 fp
My charts ran out of room for any more calculations, but I think you can see the trend.
A snubby would have a lower initial MV, but I don't think I would want to be on the receiving end even at 1000 yds. regardless.
Given: 38 Special, 150gr LRN, MV 900 fps, ME ~270fp
Remaining Energy at:
100 yds - ~200 fp
300 yds - ~150 fp
500 yds - ~80 fp (25ACP Muzzle Energy = 55fp and this will kill in the
right spot)
750 yds - ~ 53 fp (22Short ME = 53 fp. So will this)
1000yds- ~ 40 fp
My charts ran out of room for any more calculations, but I think you can see the trend.
A snubby would have a lower initial MV, but I don't think I would want to be on the receiving end even at 1000 yds. regardless.
Energy isn't the only way to understand killing power. Compare a 223 to a 45-70 in comercial loads, they behave differently in large game. The abilty to penetrate deeply enough to damage internal organs has much to do with the momentum and bullet construction. A similar situation with pistol bullets. bullet shape has some bearing also. A RN lead bullet doesn't have much shock effect compared to a SWC Keith type, but the energy may be identical. At longer range, your 38 bullet fired from a 2" barrel may not have much paper energy, but if it has a decent wide, sharp edged flat point, and penetrates enough, perhaps even all the way through your target, the paper energy isn't an issue.
Perhaps we didn't all answer the question exactly as asked, but few of us have scoped 2" revolvers. We also enjoy the discussion.
Part of the answer (in the practical sense)is how far can one effectively use the gun, and how far is the load able to kill well. The load will be capable of inflicting fatal wounds to farther than most can shoot the guns well enough to hit with them. If the charts show energy of 53 FP at 750 yards, (equal to the 22 short), it would liklely be a fatal would, as a 22 short can certainly be fatal. The 38 bullet will have more momentum, being heavier, and will make a larger hole. Doing some shooting tests on game animals with loads of various velocities would help answer the question.
Perhaps we didn't all answer the question exactly as asked, but few of us have scoped 2" revolvers. We also enjoy the discussion.
Part of the answer (in the practical sense)is how far can one effectively use the gun, and how far is the load able to kill well. The load will be capable of inflicting fatal wounds to farther than most can shoot the guns well enough to hit with them. If the charts show energy of 53 FP at 750 yards, (equal to the 22 short), it would liklely be a fatal would, as a 22 short can certainly be fatal. The 38 bullet will have more momentum, being heavier, and will make a larger hole. Doing some shooting tests on game animals with loads of various velocities would help answer the question.
Malamute, 100% agreement that energy isn't the only way of looking at it.
However with a hypothetical question, I see nothing wrong with a hypothetical answer. Bullet shape is important and I could have done the calculations with a full wadcutter, but the point I was trying to make is demonstrated just as well with a RN. The point being that bullets can be fatal at much longer ranges than a lot of people appreciate. Obviously hitting anything at long range with a snubby would be purely a matter of random luck.
Dean
However with a hypothetical question, I see nothing wrong with a hypothetical answer. Bullet shape is important and I could have done the calculations with a full wadcutter, but the point I was trying to make is demonstrated just as well with a RN. The point being that bullets can be fatal at much longer ranges than a lot of people appreciate. Obviously hitting anything at long range with a snubby would be purely a matter of random luck.
Dean