.45 Ballistics

[G-30]

I have a .45 ACP (Glock 30) and really love shooting this gun. Very accurate and fun. I like having a big bore. But I do have some questions as my knowledge has been growing. That's good, right?

QUESTIONS:
I have heard that with the shorter barrel of the G-30 that the .45 JHP's don't expand properly do to loss of velocity. Anyone confirm this?

My other concern is about penetration. I would assume, shooting 230 grn Hydro Shocks, would travel in and out of another person. In a crowded event this is not good, you could easily kill or injure a by stander.

I’m thinking about going to 180 grainers. More fps. which would equal better expansion from the bullet and the lighter grain would lose it's energy faster and possibly reduce the potential of hitting innocent by standers.

I'm just milling this around so any data is appreciated. Please give facts based on data.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Sean Smith]

Lots of people go lighter and faster for shorter-barrel .45 ACP guns. Lighter bullets tend to penetrate less and expand more, all else being equal, so when you reduce the velocity some because of the shorter barrel it presumably all evens out.

There isn't alot of test data on .45 performance out of short barrels anyway, though, so all this is mostly speculation.

 

[Wichaka]

Talked with a Federal L.E. Rep a few weeks ago, said that the only reason Hydra-Shok was still on their books is because folks are still buying it.

Look into the Federal HST round. Here's a pic (before & after) of one that was fired into ballistic gellatin out of my Commander. It consistently expands to about twice their size. I believe this one is at .987"





also check out le.atk.com scroll about half way down and you'll see "Wound Ballistics workshop" Click on each of the dept.'s on the right side.........very good reading.

I've attended one of their workshops and a few others. Hydra-Shoks are way over due to be dropped from production.........and if you think Black Talons are still the best thing since a coffee cup...........check out the site.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I decided to go with Speer 200gr +P out of my 4" Kimber.

They feed fine and I wanted the extra velocity that the +P offers to help offset the 1" barrel loss.

 

[1911 guy]

5" barrel

5" is the standard for makers setting up their ammo. In a shorter barrel, you're right in going to +P's.