cartridge pressure

Old 454 · May 4, 2013, 10:01 PM

I had a little disagreement with my son, lol as to what revolver cartridge produces the highest pressure. Now I am not going divulge what cartridges we discussed, I told him I will post the question here and let the most knowlageble people here let him know what you all think.

So what is the most power full cartridge revolver cartridge out there pressure wise.

Cheapshooter · May 4, 2013, 10:15 PM

This should help resolve any difference of opinion..
THE SPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS' INSTITUTE sets the industry standards for firearms ammunition chamber pressure.

http://www.lasc.us/SAAMIMaxPressure.htm

**JohnKSa** · May 4, 2013, 10:17 PM

Pressure isn't really the same thing as power. I'll answer the pressure question, but without addressing which cartridge is the most powerful.

Right now, to my knowledge, no handgun round runs at a higher pressure than the .460S&W Magnum @ 65Kpsi.

2nd in line is the 500S&W Magnum at 60Kpsi.

As I recall, the .454 Casull, as originally loaded when it was a wildcat, ran 65Kpsi. If I'm not mistaken, it has since been downgraded to 50Kpsi. If it still runs at 65Kpsi, then that ties it with the .460Magnum for top pressure in a handgun round.

Newton24b · May 5, 2013, 12:33 AM

well the problem is, you need to define handgun round. not every cartridge currently loaded into a handgun started out as a cartridge made for a handgun.

single shots come in many many flavors from 22lr to .500 Nitro Express

FrankenMauser · May 5, 2013, 12:44 AM

As John pointed out, the latest 'super magnum' revolver cartridges are really hot numbers. They run serious pressures, comparable to rifle cartridges (or beyond).

But, even .327 Federal Magnum, with it's "low" 45k psi, is considered to be a very high pressure revolver cartridge. (Just for comparison, even .44 Mag is considered 'high pressure' at 36k psi.)

g.willikers · May 5, 2013, 09:09 AM

Are you referring to factory ammo, or some of the reloads a friend of mine makes?
(A guy who should never be reloading, and definitely not someone whose ammo you'd want to borrow).

buck460XVR · May 5, 2013, 11:18 AM

Quote:

originally posted by Newton24b:

well the problem is, you need to define handgun round. not every cartridge currently loaded into a handgun started out as a cartridge made for a handgun.

single shots come in many many flavors from 22lr to .500 Nitro Express

I believe the OP stated the discussion was about revolver ammo. In that case I believe JohnKSa is correct.

Quote:

originally posted by Old 454:

So what is the most power full cartridge revolver cartridge out there pressure wise.

newfrontier45 · May 5, 2013, 12:36 PM

Industry standard for the .454 is 65,000psi, although most factory loads are 50-55,000psi.

**JohnKSa** · May 5, 2013, 12:45 PM

Great, thanks for the information. That means that the .454 Casull and the .460S&W Magnum are tied for 1st place for highest pressure in a handgun round.

Brian Pfleuger · May 5, 2013, 12:50 PM

65k psi puts them at or very near a tie for the highest pressure of ANY hand-held firearm. There may be one, but I'm not aware of any rifle cartridges certified over 65k. Several are AT 65k, but few if any are over.

newfrontier45 · May 5, 2013, 03:40 PM

The .500S&W runs a close third at 60,000psi. Fortunately, many are finally getting the memo that velocity is overrated in a big bore revolver. That standard weight cast bullets do a better job than lightweight jacketed bullets at warp speed and do so without breaking your wrists or making your ears bleed.

Old 454 · May 5, 2013, 07:36 PM

thanks guys, this settled the question.

May 4, 2013, 10:01 PM	#1
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 822	cartridge pressure I had a little disagreement with my son, lol as to what revolver cartridge produces the highest pressure. Now I am not going divulge what cartridges we discussed, I told him I will post the question here and let the most knowlageble people here let him know what you all think. So what is the most power full cartridge revolver cartridge out there pressure wise.

May 4, 2013, 10:15 PM	#2
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	This should help resolve any difference of opinion.. THE SPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS' INSTITUTE sets the industry standards for firearms ammunition chamber pressure. http://www.lasc.us/SAAMIMaxPressure.htm __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

May 4, 2013, 10:17 PM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Pressure isn't really the same thing as power. I'll answer the pressure question, but without addressing which cartridge is the most powerful. Right now, to my knowledge, no handgun round runs at a higher pressure than the .460S&W Magnum @ 65Kpsi. 2nd in line is the 500S&W Magnum at 60Kpsi. As I recall, the .454 Casull, as originally loaded when it was a wildcat, ran 65Kpsi. If I'm not mistaken, it has since been downgraded to 50Kpsi. If it still runs at 65Kpsi, then that ties it with the .460Magnum for top pressure in a handgun round. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

May 5, 2013, 12:44 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	As John pointed out, the latest 'super magnum' revolver cartridges are really hot numbers. They run serious pressures, comparable to rifle cartridges (or beyond). But, even .327 Federal Magnum, with it's "low" 45k psi, is considered to be a very high pressure revolver cartridge. (Just for comparison, even .44 Mag is considered 'high pressure' at 36k psi.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 5, 2013, 09:09 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Are you referring to factory ammo, or some of the reloads a friend of mine makes? (A guy who should never be reloading, and definitely not someone whose ammo you'd want to borrow). __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 5, 2013, 12:33 AM	#4
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	well the problem is, you need to define handgun round. not every cartridge currently loaded into a handgun started out as a cartridge made for a handgun. single shots come in many many flavors from 22lr to .500 Nitro Express

May 5, 2013, 12:36 PM	#8
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	Industry standard for the .454 is 65,000psi, although most factory loads are 50-55,000psi.

May 5, 2013, 12:45 PM	#9
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Great, thanks for the information. That means that the .454 Casull and the .460S&W Magnum are tied for 1st place for highest pressure in a handgun round. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

May 5, 2013, 12:50 PM	#10
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	65k psi puts them at or very near a tie for the highest pressure of ANY hand-held firearm. There may be one, but I'm not aware of any rifle cartridges certified over 65k. Several are AT 65k, but few if any are over.

May 5, 2013, 03:40 PM	#11
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	The .500S&W runs a close third at 60,000psi. Fortunately, many are finally getting the memo that velocity is overrated in a big bore revolver. That standard weight cast bullets do a better job than lightweight jacketed bullets at warp speed and do so without breaking your wrists or making your ears bleed.

May 5, 2013, 07:36 PM	#12
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 822	thanks guys, this settled the question.