HelterSkelter
Moderator
180 grain hardcast .357 @ 1425 fps
200 grain hardcast .357 @ 1305 fps
???
200 grain hardcast .357 @ 1305 fps
???
which has more penetration
- Thread starter HelterSkelter
- Start date
HelterSkelter
Moderator
even with a 100 fps difference? the 200 has more momentum but the 180 has more energy.
HelterSkelter
Moderator
i know, but before it hits something hard, which will go deeper?
HelterSkelter
Moderator
if you say so.
Respectfully, I disagree. A properly cast bullet, of the correct alloy will penetrate just fine through tissue. That's what they're designed to do.
However, in this particular question, the difference between 180 and 200 will be the difference between eenie and meenie and may rest on such things as bullet design, powder choices, other variables.
"on paper" - the 200.
It has a higher sectional density.
In real life, either is going to penetrate the same or more or less.
A shot to shot variance of around 10% in velocity isn't really out of the range of normal.
Some guns may shoot the heavier 200 as fast or faster than another gun would shoot the lighter 180.
It has a higher sectional density.
In real life, either is going to penetrate the same or more or less.
A shot to shot variance of around 10% in velocity isn't really out of the range of normal.
Some guns may shoot the heavier 200 as fast or faster than another gun would shoot the lighter 180.
Elmer Keith would disagree w/that & also have a whole pile of taken game to back up his side of the discussion...
"Cast bullets aren't made for penetration. If either hits anything remotely hard, like a bone, it'll expand." A hard cast bullet like an LBT will not expand. You should do some research before making inacurate comments. The Linebaugh Seminars use the famous "Bone Box" for testing and that is a large bone backed up by wet newspaper and the hard cast "big bore" LBTs go 4 feet after blowing up the bone. Here are some results from the "Bone Box" from Handloads.com "Linebaugh Seminar Penetration Tests" http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh.penetration.tests.asp
In a non-expanding/non-deforming projectile, momentum is a good indicator of penetration.
If you have two projectiles that won't expand or deform and that have the same frontal area the one with more momentum will penetrate deeper if they both hit the identical target media.
If you have two projectiles that won't expand or deform and that have the same frontal area the one with more momentum will penetrate deeper if they both hit the identical target media.
On the contrary, hard cast bullets are typically used to maximize penetration in relatively low power chamberings such as handguns or low velocity rifle chamberings.
L_Killkenny
New member
Another blanket statment that never should of seen the light of day. Lead and lead alloys are not created equal. Hardcast in general does not expand much if at all while 100% lead is very soft. Like John said, many cast shooters and reloaders including Elmer Keith use/used cast lead alloy bullets on the hard side to take all sorts of game from handguns to get better pentration and bone busting ability. Many shooters today still swear by a good hardcast with a large meplat for hunting big game with a revolver.
LK
The only load data I could find with a 180 @ 1400 was with a 10" barrel in an Encore. Pressure was 39,000, 4000 over SAAMI max. In the normal 4" barrel, you're looking at 1150. If your intended targets are two legged, the 125jhp@ 1450 is the standard. If four legged, a 158 JSP will easily penetrate a 150# deer @ 50 yards. If you want a 200, shoot a .41Mag.
Kreyzhorse
New member
The 200gr would have more penetration. Speed unto itself is isn't a be all end measurement.