.45 ACP max muzzle energy?

Tucker 1371 · December 7, 2012, 08:01 AM

Saw another post and I was curious, what .45 ACP loads deliver the most ft-lbs at the muzzle of a 5" bbl? Most for FMJ? For JHP/Vmax/Other defensive rounds?

Thanks, y'all have a good one, Merry Christmas!

Mystro · December 7, 2012, 11:50 AM

Speer Gold Dot 200jhp +p is my round of choice with 518 ft-lbs. it's not abusive on the guns but very powerfull. I am 10mm guy and this round is damn impressive for a 45acp.

Koda94 · December 7, 2012, 08:27 PM

Double Tapp's .45ACP 185gr Bonded Defense.... 616ft/lbs is impressive.

Aguila Blanca · December 8, 2012, 12:05 AM

If you log onto www.sportsmansguide.com and on the left side menu click on "Ammo," their ammo listings give both muzzle velocity and muzzle energy for all the ammo they sell. It's as good a place to start for comparisons as any I know of.

Edward429451 · December 8, 2012, 01:12 AM

The formula for calculating energy is pretty simple. All you need is the bullet weight and muzzle velocity. It is:

Velocity X Velocity X Wt of the bullet in grains / 450240

For example a 230 gr bullet at 850 FPS.

850 X 850 X 230 / 450240 = 369 FT LBS energy.

jmortimer · December 8, 2012, 01:18 AM

I don't trust Double Tap's numbers are they have been proven to inflate them. But if that is accurate, that would be top. Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore are close (20 ft lbs) and I know their numbers are good.

Koda94 · December 8, 2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmortimer

I don't trust Double Tap's numbers are they have been proven to inflate them.

interesting, I will make a note of that. I do take advertised numbers with a grain of salt

Atomic Ammo makes a 185g/616ft/lbs also but it is a +P.
http://www.atomicammunition.com/45acp185.html

jmortimer · December 8, 2012, 01:51 AM

Never heard of Atomic Ammunition - looks good. That would be right at the top.

Laz · December 8, 2012, 02:10 AM

The 185 grain plus P is, I believe loaded to approx 1150 fps from a 5 inch barrel which would equate to about 543 ft/lbs of energy, about equal power-wise to a 158 or 180 grain .357.

AZAK · December 8, 2012, 04:06 AM

Quote:

about 543 ft/lbs of energy, about equal power-wise to a 158 or 180 grain .357

Using Buffalo Bore 180 heavy in .357mag, calculating with the above formula, 1,450x1,450x180/450240=841ftlbs. (Actual fps out of my 6inch Security Six.)

I personally don't go for the hot-rod .45auto ammo. I stick with pretty basic slow and heavy; and never +p. Even in my carry 1911s. Part of the beauty of the .45 auto is that it is a low pressure subsonic round.

If I want more "umpff" I go with the above BB heavy in .357 or use 10mm auto for pistols.

YMMV

Laz · December 8, 2012, 10:40 AM

You're right IMO, AZAK, and I use standard pressure .45s for the most part also. What I was comparing was a 185 grain +P .45 as loaded by Remington compared to a .357 loaded by any of the Big 3. Getting into a load by an ammo "boutique" like Buffalo Bore is another thing altogether. Apples and oranges.

Rainbow Demon · December 8, 2012, 10:44 AM

Reminder that standard .45 ACP cases may not hold up to the more powerful loads.
A friend who hot loaded his 1911 always used cases made for the purpose using either .308 or .30-06 cases cut down to ACP dimensions.

Mello2u · December 8, 2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

GSUeagle1089

.45 ACP max muzzle energy?

While muzzle energy is one measure, do not discount momentum.
You might be surprised to find that the higher energy loads with all their flash and thunder are about as effective as the heavier projectile loads; and all may have similar momentum.

Using 3 buffalo Bore loads as examples:
185gr x 1,150 = 212,750 (543 ft. lbs.)
200gr. x 1,050 = 210,000 (490 ft. lbs.)
230gr x 950 = 218,500 (461 ft. lbs)

Tucker 1371 · December 9, 2012, 02:10 PM

Thanks all, looking at getting a Colt 1911 Rail Gun, it'll be my carry gun. Remington 230gr Golden Saber fed pretty dern good through my SA Operator before I had to sell it. Just wondering what all defensive loads might be good to test. I'm more of a rifle guy but I admit I am somewhat obsessed with the 1911.

Quote:

Mello2u While muzzle energy is one measure, do not discount momentum.

Gotcha, so what loads penetrate the most?

tipoc · December 9, 2012, 03:36 PM

You can compare the muzzle energy here as well by clicking on various brands...

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby...ensionid=15597

The web sites of each manufacturer also display such info.

This particular test may also be helpful...

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De...BW_5_27_09.pdf

The energy figures are only one factor to look at in thinking of a round.

tipoc

Koda94 · December 9, 2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Gotcha, so what loads penetrate the most?

Take a look at the 45acp summary table from brassfetcher.coom
http://www.brassfetcher.com/45ACP/45...ry%20Table.pdf

simonrichter · December 10, 2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

The formula for calculating energy is pretty simple. All you need is the bullet weight and muzzle velocity. It is:

Velocity X Velocity X Wt of the bullet in grains / 450240

For example a 230 gr bullet at 850 FPS.

850 X 850 X 230 / 450240 = 369 FT LBS energy.

...or just switch to the metric system (j)

:

velocity x velocity (m/s) x weight (kg, 1g = 0,001kg) / 2 = Energy (j)

Edward429451 · December 10, 2012, 05:52 PM

Very interesting there Simon, thanks.

December 7, 2012, 08:01 AM	#1
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 1,687	.45 ACP max muzzle energy? Saw another post and I was curious, what .45 ACP loads deliver the most ft-lbs at the muzzle of a 5" bbl? Most for FMJ? For JHP/Vmax/Other defensive rounds? Thanks, y'all have a good one, Merry Christmas! __________________ LCpl Williams, Evan T. USMC-R, 02-08-2010 ~ D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! OEF 21JUN-20SEP2011 REV. 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

December 7, 2012, 11:50 AM	#2
Mystro Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 462	Speer Gold Dot 200jhp +p is my round of choice with 518 ft-lbs. it's not abusive on the guns but very powerfull. I am 10mm guy and this round is damn impressive for a 45acp. __________________ "I'm a good guy with a gun" What do I care if I give up some freedom or rights?....The Goverment will take care of me. This kind of thinking is now in the majority and it should concern you. "Ask not what you can do for your country, but what free entitlements you can bleed from your country"

December 7, 2012, 08:27 PM	#3
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 126	Double Tapp's .45ACP 185gr Bonded Defense.... 616ft/lbs is impressive. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

December 8, 2012, 01:12 AM	#5
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	The formula for calculating energy is pretty simple. All you need is the bullet weight and muzzle velocity. It is: Velocity X Velocity X Wt of the bullet in grains / 450240 For example a 230 gr bullet at 850 FPS. 850 X 850 X 230 / 450240 = 369 FT LBS energy. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

December 8, 2012, 02:10 AM	#9
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 912	The 185 grain plus P is, I believe loaded to approx 1150 fps from a 5 inch barrel which would equate to about 543 ft/lbs of energy, about equal power-wise to a 158 or 180 grain .357. __________________ Laz Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

December 8, 2012, 12:05 AM	#4
Aguila Blanca Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 4,831	If you log onto www.sportsmansguide.com and on the left side menu click on "Ammo," their ammo listings give both muzzle velocity and muzzle energy for all the ammo they sell. It's as good a place to start for comparisons as any I know of.

December 8, 2012, 01:18 AM	#6
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	I don't trust Double Tap's numbers are they have been proven to inflate them. But if that is accurate, that would be top. Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore are close (20 ft lbs) and I know their numbers are good.

December 8, 2012, 01:51 AM	#8
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	Never heard of Atomic Ammunition - looks good. That would be right at the top.

December 8, 2012, 10:40 AM	#11
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 912	You're right IMO, AZAK, and I use standard pressure .45s for the most part also. What I was comparing was a 185 grain +P .45 as loaded by Remington compared to a .357 loaded by any of the Big 3. Getting into a load by an ammo "boutique" like Buffalo Bore is another thing altogether. Apples and oranges. __________________ Laz Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

December 8, 2012, 10:44 AM	#12
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	Reminder that standard .45 ACP cases may not hold up to the more powerful loads. A friend who hot loaded his 1911 always used cases made for the purpose using either .308 or .30-06 cases cut down to ACP dimensions.

December 9, 2012, 03:36 PM	#15
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 1,942	You can compare the muzzle energy here as well by clicking on various brands... http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby...ensionid=15597 The web sites of each manufacturer also display such info. This particular test may also be helpful... http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De...BW_5_27_09.pdf The energy figures are only one factor to look at in thinking of a round. tipoc

December 10, 2012, 05:52 PM	#18
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Very interesting there Simon, thanks. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long