Originally posted by MattB:
With regards to caliber choice, I know a lot depends on the specific cartridge chosen but is 9mm or .40 generally a more penetrating round?
Dunno. Might make a good test the next time I'm
with my buddy who has a 9mm. "I'm using a .40"
My gut instinct would be that they are about
equal, with maybe a slight edge going to the
9mm, due to the more streamlined nose.
The .40, even with ball, has the blunt front
which I bet slows penetration a bit.
But then you have to consider the weight of the
slug too. In general, the heavier, the more they
will penetrate due to momentum.
So say you have a 147g 9mm, vs a 180g .40, the
.40 has the blunt front, but it's heavier and
maybe slightly faster depending on the brand,
so it could go either way.
Anyway, I consider them both as pretty good
at penetration, and would be really careful if
in an apt. Either one is going to go through
sheet rock like it's butter.
Course, location of the hit will have a lot to
do with how well a round penetrates. A shot
right in the gizzard is less likely to go
through, than say a hasty shot that goes though
a wrist, etc.
But another thing to consider is you are just
as likely to scare the bad guy away just
pointing the pistol at them. So it's a good
chance you wouldn't even have to fire a shot,
unless you are dealing with some kind of total
zombie. I'm not that hot on fragmenting rounds,
but if I lived in an apt with obvious people
in the line of fire, it might be worth thinking
about. You could load say 2 rounds of fragment
loads, and then follow it up with hollow points
in case the fragment loads didn't do the job.
I suspect that even if the fragment rounds
didn't take them down, they are more likely to
run off, than stick around for more. They won't
know what you are loading, and probably won't
care too much for any of them.
BTW, I get a kick out of that "box of truth"
guy. I also like to shoot up stuff to see
what happens.. That's where the real fun is..
Way more entertaining than a paper target.
You sure wouldn't want to be using FMJ..
I use those in the woods for the reason you
are concerned about. They penetrate well.
Watch me pop this can with 180 grain .40 FMJ..
Blew through it like a lead lazer beam.. Didn't
even disturb the can off it's roost.
That stuff would go through a wall like it's
paper.
http://home.comcast.net/~disk100/killacan.wmv