Chronograph Data

[DonD]

I'll readily admit that I'm an energy junkie. If the CCW ammo I'm using has a high quality slug, then I like all the kinetic energy the round can safely generate. Although I do a lot of reloading, I only carry quality commercial ammo for CCW.

So, got some data this morning using a new Caldwell chronograph. Loved it, so easy to set up and take down.

Gun was a S&W M&P9 2.0 5" barrel (3 of the rounds had only a 3fps velocity spread!)
Double Tap 124gr +P - 1270fps/444 ft lbs
Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P - 1130 ft lbs/383 ft lbs

That compares to earlier data with 147gr Fed HST +P - 1063fps/369 ft lbs, out of the same gun.

The DT ammo is loaded with Speer Gold Dots. Think I have a new carry round. Will try some redneck ballistics testing and see if I can find any reason not to carry it. Don

[Sevens]

I try as much as I can to ignore the muzzle energy number because it's easy to realize that it is simply the result of a mathematical equation and more than that -- it is HEAVILY tilted toward velocity.

If you are honestly tickled with ME (and I am not all suggesting that you shouldn't be...) then all you really need to do to be happy is to find the lightest slug that you believe is of decent construction, because sending that fast will edge the ME ever skyward.

I'm not suggesting that ME has no value or use, I'm merely saying that it can suggest a false sense of... well, worth, perhaps.

[DonD]

Originally Posted by Sevens

I try as much as I can to ignore the muzzle energy number because it's easy to realize that it is simply the result of a mathematical equation and more than that -- it is HEAVILY tilted toward velocity.

If you are honestly tickled with ME (and I am not all suggesting that you shouldn't be...) then all you really need to do to be happy is to find the lightest slug that you believe is of decent construction, because sending that fast will edge the ME ever skyward.

I'm not suggesting that ME has no value or use, I'm merely saying that it can suggest a false sense of... well, worth, perhaps.

You make valid points but like everything go too far and it won't work. In this case go way light and you probably give up adequate penetration and almost certainly adequate barrier penetration. Don

[Sevens]

115 grain perhaps? Pretty standard and even faster.