9mm,.40,.45 + P for HD differences

[osxar]

How much performance is gained by using + P over standard presure for these 3 calibers?

[NorCal Einstein]

4 & 5
9 & 10

Are examples of standard vs. +P. You can see the slight difference in expansion characteristics.

[ianS]

With good modern hollowpoints +P isn't always the answer. With defensive loads its a combination of the right velocity, bullet weight, and bullet design. You don't want too much penetration and you want that bullet to open up in the perp. For instance Federal HST and Winchester Ranger 147 grain 9mm is well regarded and are at least equal and sometimes outperform their lighter weight and higher velocity cousins. Esp. in a short barrel like a Glock 26 or SIG P239 the barrel length is so short there isn't enough time or distance for all the powder to burn with a +P load. Hence the fireball that explodes and is wasted outside the muzzle. While with a standard pressure 147 most or all of it is burned and the bullet is allowed penetrate/expand as designed within its envelope.

There is no +P for .40 S&W since its already a high pressure round in a short case.

+P may or may not help in a Commander length .45 esp. if its an older hollowpoint design. But a high quality modern load like HST, Ranger or Gold Dot they expand well and penetrate well with 230 grain loads even out of 4.25" barrels.

Try to find loads like HST, Ranger, or Gold Dot. Older hollowpoint designs like Federal Hydrashock tend to plug up with clothing material easily and act like an FMJ.

[CarlozRossi]

Not much but it's better to use +p in shorter barrels due to loss of velocity.

[CarlozRossi]

With good modern hollowpoints +P isn't always the answer. With defensive loads its a combination of the right velocity, bullet weight, and bullet design. You don't want too much penetration and you want that bullet to open up in the perp. For instance Federal HST and Winchester Ranger 147 grain 9mm is well regarded and are at least equal and sometimes outperform their lighter weight and higher velocity cousins. Esp. in a short barrel like a Glock 26 or SIG P239 the barrel length is so short there isn't enough time or distance for all the powder to burn with a +P load. Hence the fireball that explodes and is wasted outside the muzzle. While with a standard pressure 147 most or all of it is burned and the bullet is allowed penetrate/expand as designed within its envelope.

There is no +P for .40 S&W since its already a high pressure round in a short case.

+P may or may not help in a Commander length .45 esp. if its an older hollowpoint design. But a high quality modern load like HST, Ranger or Gold Dot they expand well and penetrate well with 230 grain loads even out of 4.25" barrels.

Well damn.

[osxar]

The guns in question are P220 and G17. My bad on the .40 part. Please recomend best HD ammo for these. Thanks

[cali_armz]

one thing to consider also is that if the round is way overpowered, it might go completely through the target and not deliver all of its destructive capability

[jetman624]

If you haven't read this, you should.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

[ianS]

The guns in question are P220 and G17. My bad on the .40 part. Please recomend best HD ammo for these. Thanks

9mm 147 grain
.40 180 grain
.45 230 grain

Federal HST, Winchester Ranger, or Speer Gold Dot if you can find them. Otherwise maybe Remington Golden Saber in 147, 180, and 230 loads which are more easily found. But the 230 Golden Saber .45 does have excessive muzzle flash.

Why deal with more reoil when you don't have to? And the bulk practice loads you buy at Walmart will approximate your HD loads. 115 grain 9mm and 147 grain 9mm feel about the same to me.

Here's a good read and basically who I rely on for information.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

Shot placement is still key. There's no free lunch. It doesn't matter what load or caliber. You're just getting the max (a little bit better) performance in each caliber that's available today. Its just a handgun.