Gun Enthusiasts
#71
The 9 mm cartridge is loaded to a higher allowable pressure than .38 Spl. .38 Spl was evolved from older black powder cart's so the brass shell is enormous compared to the standard 9 mm (9x19 or NATO). So even though the bullet size is similar the Ft-Lb output (muzzle velocity x mass) is not.
Things get blurred because as you noted .357 Magnum is a kick-@ss cartridge (as can be .38 Spl +P) but the bullet is not necessarily different than a plain .38 Spl. Just higher velocity (and a great record of one-shot stops).
edit - You don't see a need to go through someone you shoot? In many handgun cases a bullet does not expand that much (even though it is desirable) so the damage done with each shot may just be the leaking hole you drill. Incomplete drilling (just go with the metaphor) or stopping at a bone means less damage done.
I will agree that although I personally love a hot .357 Magnum load (say Corbon) it is a poor choice if you have neighbors close by because of how many walls a miss will travel through (yeah, nobody's perfect). In the house I download my .357 Mag to a .38 Spl +P for that reason plus faster on-target follow-up shots and less flash.
Things get blurred because as you noted .357 Magnum is a kick-@ss cartridge (as can be .38 Spl +P) but the bullet is not necessarily different than a plain .38 Spl. Just higher velocity (and a great record of one-shot stops).
edit - You don't see a need to go through someone you shoot? In many handgun cases a bullet does not expand that much (even though it is desirable) so the damage done with each shot may just be the leaking hole you drill. Incomplete drilling (just go with the metaphor) or stopping at a bone means less damage done.
I will agree that although I personally love a hot .357 Magnum load (say Corbon) it is a poor choice if you have neighbors close by because of how many walls a miss will travel through (yeah, nobody's perfect). In the house I download my .357 Mag to a .38 Spl +P for that reason plus faster on-target follow-up shots and less flash.
#72
Originally Posted by wdavis,Jan 13 2006, 07:08 PM
That's a pretty prejudiced statement isnt it? I'm glad you got a kick out of it
#73
Originally Posted by exceltoexcel,Jan 14 2006, 06:36 AM
I'm confused? A .38 is equivalent to a 9.652 mm bullet isn't it?
a 9 mm is equivalent to a .36 caliber bullet right?
Bigger slug or no?
ft pounds? More grain = more ft pounds?
hence 357 kicks ass?
I don't see a need to go through the person you're shooting.
besides that no one can readilly tell greater damage from a .45 or a .38/9mm right?
a 9 mm is equivalent to a .36 caliber bullet right?
Bigger slug or no?
ft pounds? More grain = more ft pounds?
hence 357 kicks ass?
I don't see a need to go through the person you're shooting.
besides that no one can readilly tell greater damage from a .45 or a .38/9mm right?
Energy is a function of both bullet weight and velocity. The .357 magnum produces much higher velocities than the .38 special and 9mm. The .357 Sig was created to mimic the .357 magnum but in an auto cartridge.
You are correct about not wanting the bullet to pass through the target (over-penetration). Semi-jacketed hollow points "mushroom" causing a larger wound cavity and complete transfer of bullet energy to the target.
Which cartridge has the greater stopping power has long been debated. Yes, shot placement is extremely important but may still not be enough with the wrong cartridge. The FBI's shootout in Miami proved that.
#76
Originally Posted by 05sdeuce,Jan 14 2006, 09:44 AM
people such as wdavis obviously DONT belong in threads such as this if they cant even laugh a little bit of sarcasm.......
#77
Originally Posted by Daniel L,Jan 14 2006, 06:00 PM
.357 Sig
Rifles are hard to put in your pants though....
#78
Originally Posted by Daniel L,Jan 14 2006, 06:00 PM
Just for fun, a .50 BMG gun (that Californians haven't been able to buy for a little over a year) puts out about 13,000 ft pounds. Handguns pale in comparison to rifles.
Obviously, handguns are suited only for specific circumstances (like concealed carry).
Shotguns are much better for "home defense."