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Old 12-01-2012, 12:27 AM
Hapworth Hapworth is offline
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Originally Posted by Chris642 View Post
So I should be looking at the highest muzzle velocity plus ft/lbs energy rather then grain weight of bullet for a small snubbie?
That's part of the equation, but not definitive; higher muzzle velocity does not always equal a better performing round. The type of bullet being used also counts (round nose, hollow point, wadcutter), what material that bullet is made from (lead, copper, combination); quality, type of construction, and sectional density of the cone determining how that bullet behaves on impact -- all play a role in a round's effectiveness or lack thereof. Also the type of powder and what its burn profile is -- fast or slow combustion will have different affects on different guns sporting different muzzle lengths. Too, what pressure it's all loaded to.

High velocity from the right bullet in the right gun might mean excellent ballistic profiles, whereas in a different configuration all that great velocity might make for a hollow point that expands too much too soon after entering the target.

On and on it goes...

What this really means is that instead of grabbing the highest velocity round you can find, look instead to the well established makers and research the rounds designed for your specific needs in the specific (or at least type) of gun you will be using.

Select a few based on the ones that test best and experiment with them yourself in your gun. Choose the one that yields the best accuracy, reliability and ease of shooting as you would measure it.
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