[lelandray]

I'm wondering if there's any general rule about how much a .45 ACP load loses when barrel length decreases. I have an Officer's size Springfield that I've carried some, but mostly I'm curious about velocity loss of the Federal 230-grain standard pressure Hydra Shock and the Remington 230 Golden Sabre in a Commander.

How much might penetration and / or expansion be affected by lower velocities? Might less expansion translate to somewhat higher penetration?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I seem to recall that the Golden Saber will at least begin to expand at roughly 600 ft/sec in .45 ACP and the 230-gr. weight. Sometimes the slower velocities result in slightly deeper penetration due to less expansion.

Here are some average velocities I chronographed that might be of help:

Remington Golden Saber 230-gr :

5" Dan Wesson: 869 ft/sec
5" Caspian w/ Kart bbl: 886 ft/sec
5" STI Trojan: 853 ft/sec
5" Springfield LW: 858 ft/sec

4 1/4" Colt Commander: 829 ft/sec
4 1/4" SIG-Sauer P220: 822 ft/sec


Best.

 

[Guest]

Leland,

I was pretty well persuaded by a fellow named Dave DiFabio who does lot of ammo testing on contract for gencies etc, that the best option is a, FMJ, SWC or the Cirillo SafeStop. He gave me thereshold fps number that was higher than Stephen's for sommewhat reliable expansion but I don't recall what it was.

Speer may be coming out with an SB (short barrel) GD in .45 acp. Dunno if it's on the market.

Max

 

[Guest]

I don't set much store in his opinions. He's the person who "resurrected" Ammolab this past year, sold memberships and then closed it without notice. I'm one of those that got burned. Try mentioning that fact on one of the boards he hangs out on and you'll get bashed by the regulars. I understand he's being sued by one of the ammo companies.

 

[Josh Smith]

Hey fellers... Same rules as with Evan Marshall... he's not here so let's not start bashing please.

Just headin' it off before it starts.

Thanks gents,

Josh <><

 

[Guest]

Probbly shouldn't have brought it up.

 

[lelandray]

I'm not terribly concerned, based on what I'm finding out. My primary requirement is that the bullet goes deep enough to perforate any essential giblets along the way, no matter what the bullet configuration.

 

[Guest]

Over on the 1911 forums a lot of the fellas use ball ammunition for that very reason.

 

[lelandray]

Over on the 1911 forums a lot of the fellas use ball ammunition for that very reason.

I've never considered myself "undergunned" when carrying a 1911 full of those big old "punkin balls," but a modern hollow point round might give me a slight edge. I'll take the edge if I can get it.

 

[weshowe]

lelandray and all,
I've owned all sizes of 1911's. Generally, the full size and commander's give very similar velocities. The Officer's Model lost about 100 FPS compared to my full size.
Interestingly, at 50 yards the Officer's required a neck hold to put them center mass. Wouldn't have thought there would be that much bullet drop, but there was.
My G36 give Commander velocities. Obviously something to that polygonal rifleing.
Wes

 

[Guest]

My S&W 4516-1 (3.75 in barrel) lost about 100fps compared to a 5 in 1911.

 

[jerry]

supposibly the glock 30and 36 with a 3.78" polygonal barrel will give velocities similar to the 4.25" colt barrel......though i dont have a chrono to confirm this.

 

[weshowe]

Jerry and all,
I chronographed my Commander and G36 with Federal Hydra-Shock 230 gr. JHP's. Both clocked right at 820 FPS +/- 10 FPS. Very impressive. Wonder what +P Ranger LE loadss will give me?
Hope this helps.
Wes