9mm/.357 mag question

[buffybuster]

I'd like to see 1600fps from a 3", .357Mag revolver.

If you're going to compare 9x19 and .357mag then that's what it's going to be. There are a number of 9x19 loads that will throw a 115-125gr bullet at 1250-1300fps from a 4" semi-auto (which includes the chamber). A 3" revolver is approximately the same length of barrel, and in my experience a 125gr .357Mag hardly breaks 1400fps from a 3" barrel (with a 2ft flame).

As much as some people denigrate the 9x19, it's packs a lot of performance in a small package.

[Falstaff]

Some simple calculations show:
115gr bullet traveling 1300fps creates 431 ft-lbs of energy
125gr bullet traveling 1600fps creates 710 ft-lbs of energy

This is a big difference.

Finally sombody says it! Not to mention the fact that most 9mm commercial loads do not exceed 1200 fps!

All other things being equal, if I had my choice, I'd rather be shot by a 9mm than tres five seven!

Anyone remember the formulae for determining foot lbs energy at muzzle? It was some like velocity X mass in grains X some big number

[locosway]

Finally sombody says it! Not to mention the fact that most 9mm commercial loads do not exceed 1200 fps!

All other things being equal, if I had my choice, I'd rather be shot by a 9mm than tres five seven!

Anyone remember the formulae for determining foot lbs energy at muzzle? It was some like velocity X mass in grains X some big number

Muzzle energy is only part of the equation here. A round that passes through a target will not dump it's energy. So, a better way is to use sectional density and momentum. These two items better describe what a round will do on a target. Of course this is only my opinion of the matter. Check out this tool I made, http://gryman.com/rpf/

[-hanko]

I'd like to see 1600fps from a 3", .357Mag revolver.

If you're going to compare 9x19 and .357mag then that's what it's going to be. There are a number of 9x19 loads that will throw a 115-125gr bullet at 1250-1300fps from a 4" semi-auto (which includes the chamber). A 3" revolver is approximately the same length of barrel, and in my experience a 125gr .357Mag hardly breaks 1400fps from a 3" barrel (with a 2ft flame).

As much as some people denigrate the 9x19, it's packs a lot of performance in a small package.

I get 1600 out of a 4" model 28 with 158's...try Lil' Gun powder and a Redding profile crimp die.

Agree it's relatively immaterial v. the 9mm, shot placement becomes the major factor. If you can't get your bullets into a coffee cup sized circle at 7 to 10 yds don't worry about the bullet, just keep practicing.

-hanko

[Mofo-Kang]

According to "Surgical Speed Shooting" the goal is to cut the spinal cord by placing rounds in the triangle between the nipples and lower throat, negating the bullet caliber debate (more/less) and replacing it with a number of accurate shots in this region as fast as possible.

Just another opinion, not mine, but logical.

Hitting that area would be likely to be fatal, even if the spinal cord was untouched. The top of the heart, the aortic arch and associated major vessels, trachea, and the apexes of the lung are all in that area.

The 9mm is close enough to .357 that I can shoot both in my Blackhawk. I understand there's a slight difference that makes the 9mm theoretically less accurate through a .357 barrel, but it doesn't appear to be enough to make a significant difference with my shooting. And .38 Special was powerful enough to be the primary sidearm for the police all over the country for most of the 20th century. I think it's potent enough, especially with modern loads and hollowpoints, to be reliable.

[robert101]

[QUOTEMy question is: If the 9mm is being downgrade becuase of it's sub-par bullet diameter then why isn't the same being said of the .357mag or the .38special?][/QUOTE]

I believe a few have answered this with the math proving that a .357 Mag and 9MM are not in the same league - .357 Mag is king there. That being said, the 9MM, 357 Sig, 357 Mag, 45 ACP, and 10MM are all great handgun rounds. I'm a big 10MM fan but that is not the topic of this inquiry.

[tbhracing]

a 9mm bullet is actually .356

I always thought of it as a .380. Since 9mm is 9x19 and a .380 is 9x18. Am I wrong?

[locosway]

I always thought of it as a .380. Since 9mm is 9x19 and a .380 is 9x18. Am I wrong?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9mm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.380