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Old December 7, 2012, 07:01 AM   #1
Tucker 1371
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.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!
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Old December 7, 2012, 10:50 AM   #2
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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.
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Old December 7, 2012, 07:27 PM   #3
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Double Tapp's .45ACP 185gr Bonded Defense.... 616ft/lbs is impressive.
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Old December 7, 2012, 11:05 PM   #4
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 12:12 AM   #5
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 12:18 AM   #6
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 12:24 AM   #7
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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
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Old December 8, 2012, 12:51 AM   #8
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Never heard of Atomic Ammunition - looks good. That would be right at the top.
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Old December 8, 2012, 01:10 AM   #9
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 03:06 AM   #10
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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
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Old December 8, 2012, 09:40 AM   #11
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 09:44 AM   #12
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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.
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Old December 8, 2012, 08:19 PM   #13
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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)
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Old December 9, 2012, 01:10 PM   #14
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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?
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Old December 9, 2012, 02:36 PM   #15
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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.

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Old December 9, 2012, 03:28 PM   #16
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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
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Old December 10, 2012, 11:00 AM   #17
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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)
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Old December 10, 2012, 04:52 PM   #18
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Very interesting there Simon, thanks.
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