memtb
Well-Known Member
Why not the 180's?
^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^ memtb
Why not the 180's?
180 velocity is substantially lower out of a 40 than it is a 10mm. Wide meplat hard cast bullets will penetrate deeper, deform more, and produce a more substantial wound channel at higher velocity.Why not the 180's?
180 velocity is substantially lower out of a 40 than it is a 10mm. Wide meplat hard cast bullets will penetrate deeper, deform more, and produce a more substantial wound channel at higher velocity.
I would also consider that the problem with really hard bullets, BHN > 18-20, is they won't deform as much without encountering some heavy bone. Cast bullets with BHN 12-16 is sufficient to be devastating to Black bear.
The Speer Gold Dot was also a solid recommendation.
This , the heaviest for caliber/cartridge flat meplat hard solid you can get. Drive those as fast at the cartridge will allow, but weight and high sectional density is more important than speed. I would NOT use a hollow point as you lose penetration when they open up. Any of the previously mentioned big game/outdoors 200gr solids from Buffalo Bore, Federal or Underwood would be good choices.In various tests of wide metplat cast bullets, greater penetration was achieved at around 1100 fps rather than the higher velocities with lighter bullets.
Perhaps 180's or even 200's at point blank range, as in bear attack range………the heavier bullets made be the better choice! memtb
Thank you for elaborating on my critical velocity point. 40 S&W needs to be loaded at max+ powder charge to push a 180 at 1100 fps with about a dozen different handgun powders listed in the Hornady handbook. 200 gr is even slower. Like I said, it's not a 10 mm.In various tests of wide metplat cast bullets, greater penetration was achieved at around 1100 fps rather than the higher velocities with lighter bullets.
Perhaps 180's or even 200's at point blank range, as in bear attack range………the heavier bullets made be the better choice! memtb
I would be curious to see what would penetrate more, a 147 gr FMJ flat point at 1250 fps (357 Sig) or a 180 gr FMJ flat point at 1100 fps (.40). Probably the 147 if I had to guess. It would no doubt shoot flatter.
And I don't know if those velocities are realistic, it's just what I found on Underwood's XTP load data.
Yeah that's what I was thinking. 147 gr 9mm and 180 gr .40 have nearly the same sectional densities (0.167 vs 0.161), so I would give the nod to the faster moving bullet.Might be a toss up. However, when you figure in the frontal area of the two bullets, the lighter, smaller diameter bullet may actually penetrate deeper. memtb
Gas checks are truly only necessary at rifle velocities. Read the litany of posts from decades long cast shooters over at cast boolits forum.That, and unless you get the right Brinell hardness, shooting lead over about 1,000fps is going to require a gas check.