OT: An ammo question for the experts among us.

[Tennessee66]

Why are defensive rounds in .380 ACP at or below the 95gr weight of FMJ target rounds, while in 9mm Luger, defensive rounds are above, (sometimes way above) the 115gr weight of FMJ target rounds?

It doesn't make much sense to me. Thanks.

 

[wsmonroe]

Basically just a function of velocity/mass/energy. There are some pretty good charts you can google to see the comparisons. Not much powder in a .380 auto shell, so a heavier projectile isn't going to travel as fast or penetrate and expand as well. The sweet spot for a 9 or a 9+p is in the 115 to 124 range.

 

[wsmonroe]

Another little caveat is barrel length. Most of your .380s have really short barrels, which limits muzzle velocity. You can get away with a heavier bullet with a longer barrel 9mm.

 

[Tennessee66]

Basically just a function of velocity/mass/energy. There are some pretty good charts you can google to see the comparisons. Not much powder in a .380 auto shell, so a heavier projectile isn't going to travel as fast or penetrate and expand as well. The sweet spot for a 9 or a 9+p is in the 115 to 124 range.

Thanks V. I'll go looking for the charts. What is your opinion of the 9mm 147 gr JHP that just about everyone makes? That weight seems to be very commonly available.

 

[Tennessee66]

And thanks for the barrel length comment.

 

[wsmonroe]

Thanks V. I'll go looking for the charts. What is your opinion of the 9mm 147 gr JHP that just about everyone makes? That weight seems to be very commonly available.

You're always welcome. Here's a pretty good site. If you scroll to the bottom you can see comparisons on other calibers. I carry my G19 with 115 grain CorBon +P. They're just nasty.

http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php

 

[Tennessee66]

Awesome. Thank you.

 

[bdshull2001]

I think I'll buy one of these.........Fully automatic,200 round drum\magazine. No registering or waiting period. Shoots a 6" nail with accuracy up to 100 yards.
(disclaimer: I don't no if this is satire. I picked it up from another gun site).

 

[JB4AU]

V has this thread topic locked down. He's right on the money!

And I carry the same Corbon ammo in my 9mm. It's tough to beat.

 

[sleepraider]

You're always welcome. Here's a pretty good site. If you scroll to the bottom you can see comparisons on other calibers. I carry my G19 with 115 grain CorBon +P. They're just nasty.

http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php

Just be sure your barrel can handle +p rounds! Don't want an accident at the time of expectation since these are not designed for lower quality firearms.

There are even +p+ rounds.

 

[wsmonroe]

Just be sure your barrel can handle +p rounds! Don't want an accident at the time of expectation since these are not designed for lower quality firearms.

There are even +p+ rounds.

Good counsel...... and also a good reason to buy quality.

 

[sleepraider]

Good counsel...... and also a good reason to buy quality.

Absolutely. I only buy the highest quality firearms. No need to skimp when it counts. My .45 can do +p+ rounds and I love that. High velocity .45....ain't no denying the purpose.

 

[cam427r]

You're always welcome. Here's a pretty good site. If you scroll to the bottom you can see comparisons on other calibers. I carry my G19 with 115 grain CorBon +P. They're just nasty.

http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php

The CorBon round was arguably the king of the 9mm SD rounds back in its day, but there are a few better rounds these days. Bullet technology has come so far in recent years, but CorBon still uses non-bonded Sierra bullets (assuming you're not talking about the DPX loads, since you didn't specify it). There are definitely far worse choices than the CorBon, but the non-bonded bullet can still fragment, and penetration is on the lower end of what's desirable.

My vote is for Speer 124-gr. Gold Dot +P. The bonded bullet doesn't fragment, and penetration is just about ideal. The delta in muzzle velocity between different cartridges is also among the lowest in the industry, indicating a very consistent and high-quality manufacturing process; some other companies' rounds can show pretty wild swings in MV from cartridge to cartridge. I also find the Gold Dot to be a soft-shooting round. I can't really tell the difference between it and FMJ target ammo, even in a small 9mm like the Walther PPS. That's definitely not the case with the CorBon. I'm a bit of a recoil junkie at the range, but in a self-defense situation, the CorBon's extra recoil just means slower follow-up shots with a less effective round.

Anyway, the CorBon is still a very effective SD round. It's just that there are a few better ones today.

 

[wsmonroe]

The CorBon round was arguably the king of the 9mm SD rounds back in its day, but there are a few better rounds these days. Bullet technology has come so far in recent years, but CorBon still uses non-bonded Sierra bullets (assuming you're not talking about the DPX loads, since you didn't specify it). There are definitely far worse choices than the CorBon, but the non-bonded bullet can still fragment, and penetration is on the lower end of what's desirable.

My vote is for Speer 124-gr. Gold Dot +P. The bonded bullet doesn't fragment, and penetration is just about ideal. The delta in muzzle velocity between different cartridges is also among the lowest in the industry, indicating a very consistent and high-quality manufacturing process; some other company's rounds can show pretty wild swings in MV from cartridge to cartridge. I also find the Gold Dot to be a soft-shooting round. I can't really tell the difference between it and FMJ target ammo, even in a small 9mm like the Walther PPS. That's definitely not the case with the CorBon. I'm a bit of a recoil junkie at the range, but in a self-defense situation, the CorBon's extra recoil just means slower follow-up shots with a less effective round.

Anyway, the CorBon is still a very effective SD round. It's just that there are a few better ones today.

Good stuff, BBR. I have the bonded defense CorBon. Also have a couple of boxes of the Speer you mentioned. I guess I need to shoot them back to back to compare the recoil... your point is valid, for sure.

 

[sleepraider]

The CorBon round was arguably the king of the 9mm SD rounds back in its day, but there are a few better rounds these days. Bullet technology has come so far in recent years, but CorBon still uses non-bonded Sierra bullets (assuming you're not talking about the DPX loads, since you didn't specify it). There are definitely far worse choices than the CorBon, but the non-bonded bullet can still fragment, and penetration is on the lower end of what's desirable.

My vote is for Speer 124-gr. Gold Dot +P. The bonded bullet doesn't fragment, and penetration is just about ideal. The delta in muzzle velocity between different cartridges is also among the lowest in the industry, indicating a very consistent and high-quality manufacturing process; some other company's rounds can show pretty wild swings in MV from cartridge to cartridge. I also find the Gold Dot to be a soft-shooting round. I can't really tell the difference between it and FMJ target ammo, even in a small 9mm like the Walther PPS. That's definitely not the case with the CorBon. I'm a bit of a recoil junkie at the range, but in a self-defense situation, the CorBon's extra recoil just means slower follow-up shots with a less effective round.

Anyway, the CorBon is still a very effective SD round. It's just that there are a few better ones today.

Great insights...gonna give you your first like.

 

[cam427r]

Great insights...gonna give you your first like.

Haha, thanks! As long as I stick to the OT threads, I figure I won't step on too many toes around here.

 

[sleepraider]

Haha, thanks! As long as I stick to the OT threads, I figure I won't step on too many toes around here.

I'm sorta in the same boat as I flit from fanboy to doomist on occasion. I like the OT stuff myself also.

But it's more about rounds downrange...quality vs. quantity. Better to have the right round in the right spot than a bunch of rounds in the wrong spot.