Short Barrel Ammunition?

SGT ROCK 11B

SGT ROCK 11B

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I love improvements and modern technology. However I think 'Premium' or 'Boutique' ammunition is just another way to get more money out of us.

When I was a cop we used the same ammunition in our two inch, four inch or six inch revolvers.

For Self Defense its about putting bullets on target, shot placement.

450px-Dragn67_405.jpg
 
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SGT ROCK 11B said:
I love improvements and modern technology. However I think 'Premium' or 'Boutique' ammunition is just another way to get more money out of us.

When I was a cop we used the same ammunition in our two inch, four inch or six inch revolvers.

For Self Defense its about putting bullets on target, shot placement.

450px-Dragn67_405.jpg
Click to expand...

There is plenty of data now that shows that using the same ammo in different barrel lengths is not a good idea. A look at the studies done by Lucky Gunner shows that some factory hollow point loads expand fine from 4" barrels but are no better than round nose bullets out of 2" barrels. Sure, bullet placement is key, but there's nobody considered a serious person that would argue that using round nose lead out of a .38 Special is perfectly fine. It's 2024, not 1950.
 
There have been numerous studies that the slower burning powders will still deliver more performance on target but the faster burning powders do have certain advantages in the shorter barreled handguns. First let me point out that you would never want to have a defensive shooting with reloaded ammunition, any attorney for the opposition would love to bring up the especially deadly ammo used on his/her client. The factory ammo designed for shorter barrels may have other benefits beyond being more efficient. Most shooting situations take place at night, some of the factory loads are designed to have a reduced flash signature. The difference was unbelievable, the normal loading had a bright white, twelve inch diameter flash that eliminated night vision for half an hour, whereas the load tailored for night use had a three inch long by one inch dull orange muzzle flash. The was also some question about the accuracy potential of the load that burned so much powder after leaving the muzzle. For whatever reason, the more efficient load tested considerably more accurate.
 
The late Paul Harrell has a video series on standard pressure 38 Special ammunition. He used his infamous meat target. The old, derided, 158 grain round nose lead did exceedingly well. I've come to think we've been sold a bill of goods on all this "hyper" ammunition as Paul called it. I agree, placement is key.
 
Pointblank2U said:
The late Paul Harrell has a video series on standard pressure 38 Special ammunition. He used his infamous meat target. The old, derided, 158 grain round nose lead did exceedingly well. I've come to think we've been sold a bill of goods on all this "hyper" ammunition as Paul called it. I agree, placement is key.
Click to expand...

Hard to believe these threads continue. Keep it simple. Best load for each of us is what we shoot well (accuracy, recovery from recoil, and point of impact vs. point of aim). The 158 gr. roundnose standard velocity .38 Special may be that "best" load or it may be another (standard pressure or +P). Try at least five or six ammos to find the best one if you're serious.

Consistent target hits are far more important than the terminal ballistics gospel as preached by Fackler, Marshall, Sanow, the FBI, Internet/BubeTube crackerjacks and others.
 
A couple of points on previous replies.

First, on the "don't use reloaded ammo because the other attorney will bring it up as deadly ammo." This has been debunked as an old wives tale originally started by Massad Ayoob. In further analysis over the years, nobody has actually been able to site a case where this actually happened.

Second, on not relying on expanding bullets. Expanding bullets are important for two primary reasons. 1) expend all, or as much as possible, of the energy in the target, and 2) try to prevent over penetration of the bullet so it's not a danger to others. Frankly, it would be ridiculous to carry non-expanding bullets for defensive situations these days.
 
This has been debunked as an old wives tale originally started by Massad Ayoob.
Click to expand...

Ol' Mas can be quite afraid of lawyers sometimes.

As a lawyer at one time licensed to practice in five states I have a modicum of experience with the issue as a shooter and as an attorney. There is a very simple rule of thumb to follow. "A righteous shoot is a righteous shoot". It's that simple. If you are in fear of serious bodily injury or death, or you fear for another, and you then kill the goblin creating that fear, the weapon that you use is irrelevant. As are the "bullets", the length of the gun barrel, the length of the blade, etc.

If a vintage J-frame loaded with factory .38 Special wadcutters or a tricked-out 1911 custom pistol with hand loads gets you the required result for the required reason, the rest doesn't matter. As noted by the late, great Bill Jordan, "There are no second-place winners in a gunfight."
 
Modern premium bullets are often designed around velocity.
E.g. short barrel hollow points open up at lower velocities. The same bullets in a long barrel at higher velocity may shatter upon impact.
And yes, premium products carry a premium price.
 
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