Magnum Wheel Man
New member
... for self defense...
just for fun, & purely academically speaking...
lately I've been on a most definite "non magnum" kick, with some "fun" guns... with my custom Blackhawk in 25 ACP, & my 51 Navy conversion cartridge guns... I've been loading, & scaling up the tiniest of charges... in the 38 Long Colt, the guns are the limiting factor, & there is much air space left in the case...
Last night, I started thinking, if we had an even more extreme component shortage, than this last one, some time in the future, & buying ammo, bullets, & powder were more difficult than it has been the last couple years... what would be the most efficient ( powder charge, bullet weight or caliber, etc... ) that would still produce at least a reasonably effective self defense round... I'm thinking at least to start, about lead bullets, as they could be cast from other sources, & not need to be purchased
I'm personally thinking this would be a balance of attainable velocity, combined with a minimum acceptable bullet weight... semi auto rounds don't often cycle reliably with reduced charges, but perhaps a heavier bullet might help, but again, I'm thinking a revolver would be the most practical weapon...
again, my thoughts on most "efficient" might be a reduced charge 44 special or 45 Colt, with a heavy bullet... to defend my thoughts, the weight of the heavier bullet will retain more energy, & penetrate deeper at reduced velocities...
but I expect if we were to use a set amount of penetration as the determining factor of "acceptable" bullet shape & sectional density might factor in, & charge for charge, perhaps 40 caliber would penetrate deeper, or 38, or 32???
your thoughts ???
just for fun, & purely academically speaking...
lately I've been on a most definite "non magnum" kick, with some "fun" guns... with my custom Blackhawk in 25 ACP, & my 51 Navy conversion cartridge guns... I've been loading, & scaling up the tiniest of charges... in the 38 Long Colt, the guns are the limiting factor, & there is much air space left in the case...
Last night, I started thinking, if we had an even more extreme component shortage, than this last one, some time in the future, & buying ammo, bullets, & powder were more difficult than it has been the last couple years... what would be the most efficient ( powder charge, bullet weight or caliber, etc... ) that would still produce at least a reasonably effective self defense round... I'm thinking at least to start, about lead bullets, as they could be cast from other sources, & not need to be purchased
I'm personally thinking this would be a balance of attainable velocity, combined with a minimum acceptable bullet weight... semi auto rounds don't often cycle reliably with reduced charges, but perhaps a heavier bullet might help, but again, I'm thinking a revolver would be the most practical weapon...
again, my thoughts on most "efficient" might be a reduced charge 44 special or 45 Colt, with a heavy bullet... to defend my thoughts, the weight of the heavier bullet will retain more energy, & penetrate deeper at reduced velocities...
but I expect if we were to use a set amount of penetration as the determining factor of "acceptable" bullet shape & sectional density might factor in, & charge for charge, perhaps 40 caliber would penetrate deeper, or 38, or 32???
your thoughts ???
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