4" vs. 5"

doorco

March 01, 2012 09:07

How much velocity loss is there from a 5" 45 ACP down to a 4" 45?

What about the same in 38 super?

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  17tobyracing

  March 01, 2012 09:15

  This varies based on bullet type, bullet weight, and powder charge used.

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  doorco

  March 01, 2012 09:36

  quote:Originally posted by 17tobyracing
  This varies based on bullet type, bullet weight, and powder charge used.
  
  
  say for instance 45 ACP 230 gr. comparing the same load in two diff. barrel lengths.
  Do you know of a chart posted somewhere?
  thanks.

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  beantownshootah

  March 01, 2012 09:48

  Roughly 40 feet per second gain going from a 4" to a 5" bbl, though as mentioned, that's going to vary from load to load and from barrel to barrel.
  
  This is a good reference:
  http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html

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  p3skyking

  March 01, 2012 12:18

  I understand this is not what you're asking for, BUT. At normal pistol ranges, does it matter if you use a 40 megaton bullet or a 30 magaton bullet? The result is still devastation.

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  doorco

  March 01, 2012 12:58

  I'm trying to gather info, cause I'm either going 38 super or 45 again. But this time in a more concealable 4".
  
  thanks all.

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  tsr1965

  March 01, 2012 14:07

  quote:Originally posted by doorco
  I'm trying to gather info, cause I'm either going 38 super or 45 again. But this time in a more concealable 4".
  
  thanks all.
  
  
  If that is the case, stick with the 45 ACP. Has more on the recieving end, and while the magazine of the 38 super holds more, with a 45 you do not need as much. In all actuality, the 38 super is not that much more than the 9mm+P. If you really want the best of both worlds, then there is the 10mm...more than either the 45 or 38 super, and a round or two over the 38 Super in capacity.
  
  Best

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  gunnut505

  March 03, 2012 02:34

  .38Super all the way. More shots just in case, less weight, more likelihood of hitting something, ballistically superior to ANY 9mm (look at the 2 side-by-side!), lighter recoil than a .45, hits almost as well as a .357Sig, and when you hand it to your wife; she'll be able to defend both of you.
  I'm prejudiced though, I've never been able to hit anything with a .45 (1911-style), but my Witness(es) are capable of shooting better than I can, and at ranges where the .45 is bouncing along in the dirt.
  Don't get me wrong; I got my li'l Bro a 1911 for Christmas, and he's welcome to shoot any of my guns if he doesn't like that one.

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  He Dog

  March 03, 2012 05:00

  Jon Sundra performed a 'field' test using a rifle and sawed off 1" of barrel, chronoed a bullet and then sawed off another 1" and chronoed again. He got a reading of about 50fps loss for each 1" removed. As usual Beantown is spot on.

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  5mmgunguy

  March 04, 2012 04:56

  Have you looked at the Sig 229 in 357 Sig? Its 4 inch got plenty of stopping power.

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  9 on the floor

  March 22, 2012 16:02

  I have chrono records showing my 4" Springfield Champion averaging 803.2 FPS and my 5" Springfield gov't model at 839.6 FPS.
  Both averages from 10 shots using the same charge of Bullseye and same 230g cast, round nose bullet.
  
  Hope this helps.

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  Herschel

  March 22, 2012 16:24

  My viewpoint is that ability to hit trumps more powerful cartridges. In my experience as a shooter, team coach and pistol instructor I observed that most people can't shoot the .45 ACP 1911 as well as they can a pistol with less recoil.
  
  Hits Count!

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