Jackal
Member
Which has deeper penetration with FMJ ammo? I've heard it both ways and cant seem to find any definitive tests.
Stopping power is a myth. A .22 has just as much stopping power as a .45, it all depends where the bullet hits. Penetration is key to stopping targets. My particular use is for black bear protection.Aren't those rounds designed more for stopping power and not penetration? Penetration isn't desired in an urban environment, especially with civis around.
I would absolutely love to see a live stream of you stopping a bear with a .22.Stopping power is a myth. A .22 has just as much stopping power as a .45, it all depends where the bullet hits. Penetration is key to stopping targets. My particular use is for black bear protection.
.45 isn't known to be a punchy round. If it was, why not skip designing the .40 after the Miami shootout and just give the feds 1911's?
I would absolutely love to see a live stream of you stopping a bear with a .22.
Aren't those rounds designed more for stopping power and not penetration? Penetration isn't desired in an urban environment, especially with civis around.
.45 Auto is a whole other story. .45 Auto can break ballistic shield glass in the port window after several rounds on the same spot.Our black bear guides in Maine carry 45 autos. I defer to them as the experts.
If you go up to the 200 gr in 40 caliber it has a SD of .179 and should penetrate deeper.
Bumping your .45 up to 255 grains will get ya back to real close too.
Underwood makes a nice 255 grain hardcast I use in the woods if Im not carrying my 10mm.
The higher the grain count, the harder the felt recoil and the slower the follow up shot. Never forget that.
You want the proper grain to match your chosen projectile otherwise you're just putting extra recoil into your hand/arm that you don't even need, which only gives you more muzzle rise and thus less accuracy.
So, if a .40 with 200 grains can do what a .45 with 255 grains can do, I'd choose the .40 almost every time. This is why James Bond carried a .380, he could put all 8 shots right where he wanted them -- super accurate with little to no recoil. It is about where you are shooting, not how fast or how hard it hits, or whatever.
Naturally, that's like ammo selection 101. But also not the question asked in the OP.
FWIW I still shoot even heavy .45 faster than .40 due to recoil characteristics and, likely, my preference for the round.
The higher the grain count, the harder the felt recoil and the slower the follow up shot. Never forget that.
You want the proper grain to match your chosen projectile otherwise you're just putting extra recoil into your hand/arm that you don't even need, which only gives you more muzzle rise and thus less accuracy.
So, if a .40 with 200 grains can do what a .45 with 255 grains can do, I'd choose the .40 almost every time. This is why James Bond carried a .380, he could put all 8 shots right where he wanted them -- super accurate with little to no recoil. It is about where you are shooting, not how fast or how hard it hits, or whatever.
40 S&W in the heavier flavor has felt recoil equal to 230 grain 45acp for most people. It's just a different type of recoil. 45 is tends to be easier to shoot accurate rapid followup shots for most average shooters from what I've seen because there is less muzzle flip.
Also, James Bond carried a little Beretta-418 25acp before later upgrading to a PPK in 32acp.
All things being equal the bullet with the highest Sectional Density will penetrate deeper. Looking at Hornady's website a 180 Gr 40 caliber bullet has a SD of .161, a 230 gr 45 caliber bullet, .162. Seems like a tie to me.
If you go up to the 200 gr in 40 caliber it has a SD of .179 and should penetrate deeper.
It does make a difference since .45ACP and .40S&W "ball" rounds are generally shaped differently.It also only mentions FMJ, so there is no need to talk about different kinds of projectiles and their various ways of penetrating or impacting.