[dgray64]

Why is the recoil and penetration of a .40 S&W round higher than a .45 APC round? In comparing powder loads against similar bullet weights, the .45 take quite a bit more powder than a .40, but most .45s shoot easier, with less recoil than similar .40s. I'm just curious. I love a .45, but it's cheaper to shoot a .40. Thanks.

Dave :)

[Walkalong]

Less velocity, and many .45 loads use less powder than many .40 loads.

[rcmodel]

The .40 S&W is a high pressure round, and the .45 ACP isn't.

The .40 runs 35,000 PSI.

The .45 ACP runs 21,000 in standard loads, and 23,000 in +P.

rcmodel

[Walkalong]

Pressure = Velocity. ;)

I should have mentioned pressure too.

[Steve C]

A smaller caliber bullet of the same weight will have a higher ballistic coefficient and when ran at the same velocity, will be slightly flatter shooting and will penetrate deeper as there's less frontal area slowing it down when it hits the target.

If you calculate the physics and recoil from a typical .45 acp 185gr bullet vrs a 180gr .40 S&W you will find the .45 has more recoil. Calculators can be found on Handloads.com. However, even when using Glock pistols 21 and 22 of similar size the recoil velocity of the gun is greater in the .40 cal due to lighter weight firearm. If fired from pistols of the same design and weight, for example a 1911 type pistol, the .40 should have less recoil velocity.

[jmorris]

Pressure = Velocity.


It’s a little more complicated than that, for instance if you had something lodged in the barrel and attempted to fire a round you would have a whole bunch of pressure and zero velocity (for the bullet anyway).

Also, weight of firearm, bullet weight, spring weights, powder burn rates can all effect how the shooter perceives recoil.

[Walkalong]

It’s a little more complicated than that, for instance if you had something lodged in the barrel and attempted to fire a round you would have a whole bunch of pressure and zero velocity (for the bullet anyway).Duh. But try this. Try getting velocity with no pressure. :rolleyes:

Big and slow can be perceived as more of a push and feel like less recoil. (.45)
Lighter and faster can feel sharper, and thus feel like more recoil. (.40)

It's more perception than actual numbers.

[The Tourist]

I figured it the other way.

Most 1911s are made of metal, and many SW .40s are made of alloys and polymers.