The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - why isnt the .45 SWC a popular defensive round?

BlueTrain · November 30, 2009, 07:02 AM

The 185-200 gr target SWCs outperformed 230 gr RN ball? Says who? In what way do they outperform? More accurate? More penetration? Or more distructive?

Another factor is the lead itself. I suspect that most factory SWC loads in any caliber are swaged bullets, except perhaps from small volume custom handloaders. With absolutely nothing to back up my hunch, I'd say they perform differently than hard cast lead alloy bullets, especially with a hollow point. But which is better would be another story. There's also the theory that one might work better in certain barrels, particularly in barrels that are expected to be used with jacketed bullets but on this point my memory fails.

The original posting did not mention .45 ACP by the way, just .45.

November 30, 2009, 07:02 AM	#21
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	The 185-200 gr target SWCs outperformed 230 gr RN ball? Says who? In what way do they outperform? More accurate? More penetration? Or more distructive? Another factor is the lead itself. I suspect that most factory SWC loads in any caliber are swaged bullets, except perhaps from small volume custom handloaders. With absolutely nothing to back up my hunch, I'd say they perform differently than hard cast lead alloy bullets, especially with a hollow point. But which is better would be another story. There's also the theory that one might work better in certain barrels, particularly in barrels that are expected to be used with jacketed bullets but on this point my memory fails. The original posting did not mention .45 ACP by the way, just .45. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.