[fiVe]

I know this is probably a redundant post, & I thought I knew the answer until someone pointedly questioned me about it.

Let's say you are shooting a 125 grain round. What does the grain measure? Isn't it the size of the bullet that is in cartridge? Someone is trying to tell me it is the amount of gunpowder.

Sorry to come off looking so ignorant. I know this is a very elementary question.

Humble regards,

fiVe

[50 Shooter]

Not the size, it's the weight of the bullet. 125 grains would mean that the projo weighs 125 grs.

[fiVe]

Well shucks! I meant to say weight (not size). <sigh> Ignorance overload....:banghead:

[parachuterigger]

The weight listed for the cartridge refers to bullet weight. In this case, the bullet weighs 125 gr. There are 7000 grains in 1 lb. In the case of reloaded, or handloaded, ammunition the powder charge weight is also listed in grains. You would not see the powder charge weight listed on factory ammunition because the charge varies depending on the characteristics of the powder that the ammo company was using for that particular lot.

[BluesBear]

You have three boxes of ammo,

.38 Special 158 gr SWC
.38 SPecial +P 158gr SWC
.357 Magnum 158gr SWC

All three have the exact same 158gr bullets, but each has a different powder charge.


or

.38 Special 200gr
.41 Magnum 200gr
.44 Magnum 200gr
.45 ACP 200gr

All will have VERY different powder charges.

[benEzra]

To be precise, a grain is a unit of mass (yes, mass) equal to exactly 1/7000 U.S. pound avoirdupois, which in turn is defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilogram.

[JohnBT]

It was originally the weight of a grain of wheat.

Or, in the case of the English, a barley grain.

John

[Ukraine Train]

I noticed that the 115gr HPs I shot with my Makarov have a lot more recoil than the 92gr FMJs. Is it a correct assumption that a heavier bullet will result in more felt recoil or is it more likely that the HPs just happened to have more powder also?

[Zak Smith]

Ukraine Train,

Recoil is going to be roughly proportional to the bullet mass multiplied by the muzzle velocity. I say "roughly" because people perceived recoil differently and a heavier gun will have less "recoil" than a lighter gun for the same load.

But it's pretty safe to say that when shooting from the same gun, the load which has more mass * velocity will have more recoil.

-z

[fiVe]

Great info. Thanks so much. :)

[Politically Incorrect]

I'd hate to see someone put 240 grains of H110 behind a .44 Magnum!

[BluesBear]

240gr of powder is a LOT of powder! :what:


Thankfully it is physically impossible to put 240gr of ANY powder in a .44 magnum case.

[Kooter]

FYI a 9mm round with a 125 gr lead round nose bullet has roughly(depending on type of powder) 4-6 grains of powder. the amount or type of powder is different for different bullet weights.

i had a guy argue with me until he was blue in the face that the grainage listed on the box of ammo is the weight of the powder. he said "i reload all the time so i know what i'm talking about!" i asked him how many grains are in a pound. when he couldn't answer that pretty much took the wind out of his sails.

[BluesBear]

Kooter, Greetings from Edmonds.

Welcome aboard.

[Kooter]

hi BluesBear. thanks for the welcome:)