The basic round.

B

B.N.Real

New member
In 38 Special,at least with old Smith and Wesson 38 special revolvers,the round that is most often mentioned as the round the gun was 'designed' to shoot,is the 158 grain Lead Round Nose bullet.

I own a Model Ten Smith,four inch barrel and it shoots point of aim right at the center of the target with this round.

I would guess in 9mm it is the 115 grain full metal jacket round.

And in 40 S&W,185 grain full metal jacket?

So what are the other calibers basic rounds?

Or does that really apply?

Any info and ideas appreciated.
 
Perhaps standard weight is what you're looking for? Here are some of the more common ones

.17 HMR- 20grn FMJ or JHP
.22 Short- 29grn LRN
.22 Long- 29grn LRN
.22 Long Rifle-40grn LRN
.22 Magnum- 40grn FMJ
.25 ACP-50grn FMJ
.32 ACP- 71grn FMJ
.32 S&W- 88grn LRN
.32 S&W Long- 98grn LRN
.32 H&R Magnum- 95grn LSWC
.30 Carbine- 110grn FMJ
7.62x25 Tokarev- 85grn FMJ
.380 ACP- 95grn FMJ
9x18 Makarov- 95grn FMJ
9x19 Luger- 115grn FMJ although many militaries used 124-125grn FMJ
.38 Super- 130grn FMJ although 125grn is also very popular
.38 S&W- 145grn LRN
.38 Special- 158grn LRN
.357 Magnum- 158grn LSWC was the original but 125grn has become very popular
.40 S&W- 180grn FMJ
10mm Auto- original was 170grn JHP or 200grn FMJ but 180grn FMJ has become standard
.45 ACP- 230grn FMJ
.44-40- 225grn LRN
.44 Special- 246grn LRN
.44 Magnum- 240grn JSP
.45 Colt- 255grn LRN
 
In the case of the 38 spl, the 158 RN was and is used by competitors.. it aids in loading the ammo quickly into the cylinder. It is fine for paper punching but a hollow point it likely better for knockdown and transference of energy. I do believe there was a winchester white box load of a 130 gr FMJ for 38's.

That's a pretty good list of standard weight bullets..

The standard Norma load for 10 mm was a 200 gr bullet at 1200 fps. Pretty hot stuff.

I believe the 40 S&W was a 180 at 980 fps (the FBI load for 10 mm in the new shorter package).
 
The standard Norma load for 10 mm was a 200 gr bullet at 1200 fps. Pretty hot stuff.
Click to expand...

That was one of the two original Norma loads. The other was a 170grn JHP at 1300fps if memory serves.
 
Was there really an "original", specific round that a certain caliber should shoot/was designed around, or did they just say, this is about right?

Seems it'd change constantly with the different bullet shapes/powder loads/intended uses. I know some loads are almost "industry standard", but there are so many variables out there...

Also, most "common" calibers are decades old. I'll bet the "standard round" has changed several times in the life of the caliber.
 
noticed (on targets)

IME the 'modern' POA/POI for snub 38s is (still) the 750--800fps 158g; in 9x19 it (now) seems to be the 124g at 1040--1070fps; in 45 ACP it is still the 230g at 760--850fps.

For the 40 S&W evidence suggests the 180g at 860--940fps.

These numbers are generalities; any specific example may act entirely differently.
 
In 38 Special,at least with old Smith and Wesson 38 special revolvers,the round that is most often mentioned as the round the gun was 'designed' to shoot,is the 158 grain Lead Round Nose bullet.

I own a Model Ten Smith,four inch barrel and it shoots point of aim right at the center of the target with this round.

I would guess in 9mm it is the 115 grain full metal jacket round.

And in 40 S&W,185 grain full metal jacket?

So what are the other calibers basic rounds?

Or does that really apply?

Any info and ideas appreciated.
Click to expand...

What?:eek:
 
Webleymkv nailed it but I thank everyone for their replies.

He was right that I should have said standard weights.

I was definitely just asking about what the first,original loadings/rounds that the manufacturers used to set the guns up with.

I know that we have far superior loads and rounds to use today.

Again,thanks for the replies.

Webleymkv,where'd you find that info?
 
Makarov

About the Makarov 9mm. A lot of ammo is the 95 grain as stated. The first case that I ordered, years ago when it was cheaper than reloading, had a 109 grain bullet (Wolf, steel-cased, FMJ). Still have some.
Pete
 
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