HighValleyRanch said:
Thanks for that chart, Walt. Does it state what gun was used for testing and barrel length?
You'll find the details in the link, if you scroll down to the information right before the site shows individual round specs and performance.
- S&W M&P Shield with 3.1" barrel. Target set at 10 feet.
Obviously not a "hunting" setup, but a surprising number of self-defense weapons come with barrels in the 3"-4" range. These results are arguably appropriate for many self-defense scenarios. We'd see better results for longer-barreled guns, of course.
I'd like to see more information about +P+ rounds, but haven't found much that was credible (or not obviously biased).
I was particularly surprised with how well some standard velocity rounds did in this particular comparison.
Another interesting site and data set can be found at the SPEER site, which offers the following. Their data compares results for different calibers against different types bullet types and their effectiveness against different barriers. It helps us understand how bullet types can affect performance through different media (cloth, leather, wallboard, 2"x4"s, etc.:
https://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Speer-Gold-Dot-Ammunition-Comparison.jpg
The main conclusion I've gotten from all of this (and not just the data shown above), is that a FASTER or HEAVIER BULLET doesn't necessarily mean BETTER RESULTS, and while some hotter (faster or heavier) rounds ARE apparently more effective, some standard self-defense rounds perform VERY WELL, indeed, and are not hard on the gun or the shooter.
Another observation: at one time there was much discussion about ENERGY TRANSFER, suggesting that a larger bullet hitting a body at a good rate will do more damage than smaller rounds traveling at the same or faster rates.
A lot of study has been done in this area, over the past 10+ years and apparently what's MOST IMPORTANT is enough bullet penetration to hit a critical part of the body (preferably the central nervous system). A main structureal bone mass, like the pelvis can be debilitating, as can a lung or heart shot, but the bad guy (or gal) can still get YOU before he or she is ready to give up.
- The dibilitating effect of secondary/temporary wound cavities appears to be limited -- as too many bad guys (or gals) continue their attacks despite multiple hits in a lot of seemingly critical places. The shooter may bleed out a bit faster, but while he (or she) is bleeding out, he or she may be killing you.
A quick stop is what is critical, and a FASTER, LARGER BULLET fired at most handgun velocities won't stop anyone faster unless it hits the right spot.
Once bullet velocity climbs over 2000 fps secondary wound cavaties DO make a big difference -- and that's why military weapons are so devastating. Even when these fast rounds don't kill the target, they can knock the target out of action and cause someone to come to their aid.
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