Heavy versus light bullet
All other things being equal is a lighter/heavier bullet going to be that much different for 45 handgun shooting. I am thinking of reloading 185 grain bullets for target use, but using a 230 grain round for self defense.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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Basically, speaking in terms of FMJ ammo, a 230 grain bullet will hit harder and be a more reliable man stopper for defense, with the tradeoff of increased recoil. You would be fine loading light bullets for target work, but i would suggest 230's for defense. 0 -
You'd probably be better off with the 185gr (or lighter) for self-defense.
It all comes down to "energy"--which is a factor of BOTH bullet weight and the bullet's velocity. But (generally) in the energy equation, the velocity contributes more to the overall "energy" than the bullet's weight.
A lighter bullet gains more velocity and has more energy than a heavier slower bullet.
The velocity also plays a significant role in hollow point expansion, which helps create a more devestating wound channel.
Use this formula: Velocity x Velocity (in ft/sec) x Bullet weight (in grains) divided by 450,436 == Muzzle Energy (in foot/lbs)
Note that the "velocity" is squared (multiplied by itself) so a slight increase can represent a more significant increase in energy than any accompanying decrease in bullet weight made to gain the greater velocity.0 -
Any idea if the two might actually hit higher/lower due to the weight difference in the typical 21 to 50 ft range. In other words if I practice with the 185, the 230 might possibly strike lower. Or is the difference largely negligible at such close ranges?
FWIW, I've been using mostly 230 grain bullets, but my limited use of lighter ones in the 200 grain weight seem just as well. I thought I'd scale back to 185 grain. If nothing else I'd be able to carry more ammo to the range!
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
The lighter bullet at higher velosity creates more energy BUT the heavier bullet at a lower velosity will have more momentum.
The argument over which is more important has proponents on each side and helps to fill the pages of the gun magazines.0 -
quote:
The lighter bullet at higher velosity creates more energy BUT the heavier bullet at a lower velosity will have more momentum.
What's "momentum"? How is it calculated?
The critical variables are: 1. Energy, and 2. HOW that energy is transfered to the "target".
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Mballai,
Regarding your question:
"In other words if I practice with the 185, the 230 might possibly strike lower. Or is the difference largely negligible at such close ranges?"
At the distances you discuss (under 50 feet) the differences should be negligible, atleast according to the physics involving "bullet flight dynamics".
Real world variables involving the gun, powder, shooter's reaction to recoil and muzzle flash, etc. could show differences which one might want to consider if practicing for self-defense.0 -
let's not forget bullet placement which may be affected by the greater
recoil associated with the heavier bullet.0 -
Go for accuracy and shoot whatever works best for you.I know my .270 Win.Rifle with a 150 grain bullet (that's about 1/3 oz.),will take a Deer down much better than my 12 Ga.( 1 oz.) Shotgun Slugs.
I am confused at times.We park on driveways anddrive on parkways.0 -
The only way to really know how the shooter will react to the extra flash and recoil is to try it. Whichever ammo you choose ( I'd go with 230 for self-defense ) just make sure you practice with it and are familiar with it in case you ever need it. As far as accuracy is concerned, I don't think you'd come across too much of a difference, but try it for yourself and see how you do.
" God is in His Heaven, All is Right in the World. "0 -
mballai....one of the most fun reloading projects is to develop a pair of loads for your carry gun. One, a paper puncher, the other, a man-stopper....that are both accurate and shoot to the same point of aim.
As for the "light & fast" vs. the "heavy & slow" question, it seems to be a sort of fashion of the moment thing.
Back at the turn of the century, when Col. Julian Hatcher formulated his tables of Relative Stopping Power, big & slow was favored. Then in the '60's Hi-Vel came out with it's light & fast JHPs, and that seemed to be the way to go. Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging back the other way.
Usta be you couldn't get a hollow point or soft nosed pistol bullet to mushroom properly unless you had high velocity, and that required a lighter bullet.
Nowadays, with modern bullet design, the big bullets mushroom very well even at lower velocities.....so you pays your money, and you takes your choice.
My opinion? I'll take Teddy Roosevelt's advice: "Walk softly and carry a BIG stick!"
Edited by - Xracer on 11/18/2002 10:06:300 -
Energy = M(mass)X V2(velosity squared)
Momentum = M X V
In the one case you are concerned by the amout of energy transferred to the target & in thye other by the amount of resistance it will take to overcome the momentum of the bullet.
As you can see velosity is a much greater component of the energy equasion.0
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