Tom Goodrick
Member
Muzzle velocity data is from a Federal Cartridge
ballistics calculator downloaded from the Federal
Cartridge web site. In order to show their data, I had
to accept responsibility for its accuracy. I went to
high school in Anoka, Minnesota where Federal Cartridge
is located. I knew many people who worked there.
The data is well-suited for comparison between calibers
because 1) almost all shots were made using a 4-inch
barrel which is very close to the HD guns, 2) Federal
makes good defense bullets in all calibers so in most
cases the performance can be compared between calibers
using the same bullet design. For each caliber I chose a
common cartridge and a high-energy cartridge. The only
exception to the 4-inch barrel length is the 45 auto
which was tested in 5-inch barrels. The 357 Magnum data
was from a 4-inch vented barrel which simulates the gap
in a revolver between barrel and cylinder.
The two key data elements are the bullet mass (grains)
and the muzzle velocity. They trap the velocity at
several points beyond the muzzle going out to 75 yards.
But for Home Defense (HD) we are not firing long
distances. We're in our house firing at guys who
have just broken through a door or a window.
I calculated and displayed the "Power Factor" which is the
same parameter calculated for IDPE matches using that
same term. It is simply the product of the mass and the
muzzle velocity. It is not so much "Power" in physics as
the momentum of the bullet at the muzzle. But it is a
figure of merit that many people are familiar with. The
I calculated Muzzle Energy by the formula:
Mass x Muzvel x Muzvel / 450380 foot-pounds.
It is a well-known physics parameter used in damage measurements. It is the kinetic energy of the bullet at the muzzle which, if contact occurred at that point would contribute to all internal damage within the target object.
During impact the energy is transformed in a variety of ways until all the mass of the bullet, including
fragments, have stopped moving. When the bullet
encounters internal masses such as bone or captive
liquids within organs, some of the remaining energy is
transferred to the bone fragments and internal liquids,
often causing failure of the containing organs. There is
nothing abstract about energy although it brings damage
to the target in a variety of ways that cannot generally
be predicted. The impact in a living organism is
certainly a matter of chaos.
Caliber Ammo Bullet Wt M Vel PowrFct MuzEnergy
9 MM P9HS1 H S JHP 124 1120 138880 345
P9HS2 SAME 147 1000 147000 326
40 S&W P40HS1 SAME 180 1000 180000 400
P40HS2 SAME 155 1155 179025 459
357SIG P357S1 JHP 125 1350 168750 506
45 AUTO P45HS1 H S JHP 230 900 207000 414
PD45GRD GRD DOG* 165 1140 188100 476
357 PD357HS2H JHP 130 1410 183300 574
Revolver
*Guard Dog is Federal's term for an effective defensive round.
I could have included the 10 mm cartridge but Federal
shows its muzzle energy is the same as the .40 S&W at
427 ft-lbs. That is a little low but I suspect Federal
does not want to break any 10 mm guns. To cap off the
table I have included the 357 Magnum revolver cartridge
for a 4-inch barrel. This would apply to the Ruger GP-
100 DA revolver. It is one of the few Double Action
revolvers that I can fire with some accuracy. It can
also be fired in Single Action mode by cocking the
hammer for better accuracy.
The data show a clear distinction between the low power
and energy level of the 9 mm cartridge and the larger
calibers. The 357 Sig and the 357 Magnum both stand out
with greater power and energy than the .40 morm .45.
Note that the .range of energy of the .40 (400 to 459
ft-lb) is about the same as the range for the .45 Auto
(414 to 476 ft-lb). Many people consider them
equivalent. The .45 does have a higher IDPE power
rating. The significance of that may be debated. Since
size does not matter in an HD gun, this shows you could
choose the 1911-style 45 Auto if you want to play safe.
The reason I included the .357 cartidges is to address
the possible use of body armor by the BG's invading our
houses. The .357 might penetrate body armor that has a
low level of protection. I am considering upgrading my M&P 40 FS to .357Sig by exchanging the barrel. But I also intend to shoot the Ruger GP-100 in .357 magnum with a laser sight in a few weeks. That's a much more expensive upgrade but may be worthwhile.
However, these rounds may add the danger of unintended
casualties as the bullets can penetrate the walls of
your home and hurt someone in a neighboring house.
The defense cartridges mentioned here are all fairly expensive running $1 to $2 per bullet. If you think that is too much, how much do you value your life? You would use cheaper FMJ ammo for practice at the range. That ammo should be the same weight as the defense ammo. It may also be reasonable to use .40 for practice and .357 Sig for defense after experiencing the difference. .40 FMJ is about $0.32 per bullet while .357 Sig FMJ is about $0.72 per bullet.
ballistics calculator downloaded from the Federal
Cartridge web site. In order to show their data, I had
to accept responsibility for its accuracy. I went to
high school in Anoka, Minnesota where Federal Cartridge
is located. I knew many people who worked there.
The data is well-suited for comparison between calibers
because 1) almost all shots were made using a 4-inch
barrel which is very close to the HD guns, 2) Federal
makes good defense bullets in all calibers so in most
cases the performance can be compared between calibers
using the same bullet design. For each caliber I chose a
common cartridge and a high-energy cartridge. The only
exception to the 4-inch barrel length is the 45 auto
which was tested in 5-inch barrels. The 357 Magnum data
was from a 4-inch vented barrel which simulates the gap
in a revolver between barrel and cylinder.
The two key data elements are the bullet mass (grains)
and the muzzle velocity. They trap the velocity at
several points beyond the muzzle going out to 75 yards.
But for Home Defense (HD) we are not firing long
distances. We're in our house firing at guys who
have just broken through a door or a window.
I calculated and displayed the "Power Factor" which is the
same parameter calculated for IDPE matches using that
same term. It is simply the product of the mass and the
muzzle velocity. It is not so much "Power" in physics as
the momentum of the bullet at the muzzle. But it is a
figure of merit that many people are familiar with. The
I calculated Muzzle Energy by the formula:
Mass x Muzvel x Muzvel / 450380 foot-pounds.
It is a well-known physics parameter used in damage measurements. It is the kinetic energy of the bullet at the muzzle which, if contact occurred at that point would contribute to all internal damage within the target object.
During impact the energy is transformed in a variety of ways until all the mass of the bullet, including
fragments, have stopped moving. When the bullet
encounters internal masses such as bone or captive
liquids within organs, some of the remaining energy is
transferred to the bone fragments and internal liquids,
often causing failure of the containing organs. There is
nothing abstract about energy although it brings damage
to the target in a variety of ways that cannot generally
be predicted. The impact in a living organism is
certainly a matter of chaos.
Caliber Ammo Bullet Wt M Vel PowrFct MuzEnergy
9 MM P9HS1 H S JHP 124 1120 138880 345
P9HS2 SAME 147 1000 147000 326
40 S&W P40HS1 SAME 180 1000 180000 400
P40HS2 SAME 155 1155 179025 459
357SIG P357S1 JHP 125 1350 168750 506
45 AUTO P45HS1 H S JHP 230 900 207000 414
PD45GRD GRD DOG* 165 1140 188100 476
357 PD357HS2H JHP 130 1410 183300 574
Revolver
*Guard Dog is Federal's term for an effective defensive round.
I could have included the 10 mm cartridge but Federal
shows its muzzle energy is the same as the .40 S&W at
427 ft-lbs. That is a little low but I suspect Federal
does not want to break any 10 mm guns. To cap off the
table I have included the 357 Magnum revolver cartridge
for a 4-inch barrel. This would apply to the Ruger GP-
100 DA revolver. It is one of the few Double Action
revolvers that I can fire with some accuracy. It can
also be fired in Single Action mode by cocking the
hammer for better accuracy.
The data show a clear distinction between the low power
and energy level of the 9 mm cartridge and the larger
calibers. The 357 Sig and the 357 Magnum both stand out
with greater power and energy than the .40 morm .45.
Note that the .range of energy of the .40 (400 to 459
ft-lb) is about the same as the range for the .45 Auto
(414 to 476 ft-lb). Many people consider them
equivalent. The .45 does have a higher IDPE power
rating. The significance of that may be debated. Since
size does not matter in an HD gun, this shows you could
choose the 1911-style 45 Auto if you want to play safe.
The reason I included the .357 cartidges is to address
the possible use of body armor by the BG's invading our
houses. The .357 might penetrate body armor that has a
low level of protection. I am considering upgrading my M&P 40 FS to .357Sig by exchanging the barrel. But I also intend to shoot the Ruger GP-100 in .357 magnum with a laser sight in a few weeks. That's a much more expensive upgrade but may be worthwhile.
However, these rounds may add the danger of unintended
casualties as the bullets can penetrate the walls of
your home and hurt someone in a neighboring house.
The defense cartridges mentioned here are all fairly expensive running $1 to $2 per bullet. If you think that is too much, how much do you value your life? You would use cheaper FMJ ammo for practice at the range. That ammo should be the same weight as the defense ammo. It may also be reasonable to use .40 for practice and .357 Sig for defense after experiencing the difference. .40 FMJ is about $0.32 per bullet while .357 Sig FMJ is about $0.72 per bullet.
