Can a small caliber be as powerful as a big one? - Page 2

FrankenMauser · February 14, 2020, 11:42 AM

The same velocity will not be achieved.
Bore expansion ratio is important for building pressure, and will result in the smaller caliber projectile - even though of the same weight - leaving the muzzle faster than the larger caliber projectile.

Wyosmith · February 14, 2020, 12:43 PM

Increasing speed does increase lethality if you have enough of an increase, but in handguns "enough" is not always available.

A 125 to 130 grain 9MM can be shot at about 1200 (give or take,) from a pistol barrel Thinking that going 1250 or 1270 is going to make any real world difference is not realistic.

Now if you were to slim it down to about 7MM and fire it at 3150 FPS you'd really see some difference, but that is called a 270 Winchester ----fired from a 24 inch rifle barrel.

So can a "smaller" caliber you can see huge differences in the lethal effects of a give weight of bullet, but the increase is usually measured in many hundreds of FPS and sometime thousands of FPS.

Nanuk · February 14, 2020, 08:57 PM

Stopping power- The nebulous term everyone loves to hate.

Sure it can be quantified, but first you have to define it.

I tend to look at in terms of How long does it take the BG to stop attacking be it from psychological or physical.

There are certain things that historically work pretty fast. The 12 gauge slug come to mind.

February 14, 2020, 11:42 AM	#26
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	The same velocity will not be achieved. Bore expansion ratio is important for building pressure, and will result in the smaller caliber projectile - even though of the same weight - leaving the muzzle faster than the larger caliber projectile. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

February 14, 2020, 08:57 PM	#28
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Stopping power- The nebulous term everyone loves to hate. Sure it can be quantified, but first you have to define it. I tend to look at in terms of How long does it take the BG to stop attacking be it from psychological or physical. There are certain things that historically work pretty fast. The 12 gauge slug come to mind. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

February 14, 2020, 12:43 PM	#27
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Increasing speed does increase lethality if you have enough of an increase, but in handguns "enough" is not always available. A 125 to 130 grain 9MM can be shot at about 1200 (give or take,) from a pistol barrel Thinking that going 1250 or 1270 is going to make any real world difference is not realistic. Now if you were to slim it down to about 7MM and fire it at 3150 FPS you'd really see some difference, but that is called a 270 Winchester ----fired from a 24 inch rifle barrel. So can a "smaller" caliber you can see huge differences in the lethal effects of a give weight of bullet, but the increase is usually measured in many hundreds of FPS and sometime thousands of FPS.