Why were historic/conventional handgun bullets designed to have such high sectional density?

[94045]

Could the high sectional density not have anything to do with penetration at all?

Isn't a longer bullet more stable? In the era when all bullets were lead longer meant heavier which resulted in higher sectional density.

If I'm way off base just ignore me.

 

[Nuclear]

Actually, longer bullets need a faster twist to stabilize.

 

[94045]

Actually, longer bullets need a faster twist to stabilize.

I know they need a faster twist. I guess that would mean.they are less stable. I guess I'm just confused because I always thought a longer object was more aerodynamically stable. Obviously I'm wrong.

 

[tipoc]

ON rate of twist bullet length, etc. What I link to below should help. There is more to it than simply the length of the bullet.



"Twist rate refers to the rate of spin in the rifle barrel, and is represented in inches per turn. It’s important that your barrel has an adequate twist rate to stabilize the bullets you’re shooting. A barrel that is a 1:10” twist means that the rifling will spin the bullet one revolution in 10 inches. The lower the number of the twist, the faster the twist rate or the faster the bullet will spin. For example, a 1:8 twist will spin the bullet one revolution in 8 inches, whereas a 1:10” twist will spin a bullet one revolution in 10 inches. If you were shooting a bullet in both barrels at a velocity of 2800 feet per second, the 1:8” twist barrel (252,000 RPM) will spin a bullet much faster than a 1:10” twist barrel (201,600 RPM). So a 1:10” twist is slower than a 1:8” twist, a 1:12” twist is slower than a 1:10” twist, and so on. Generally, fast twist barrels are used for longer bullets while slower twist barrels are used for shorter bullets.

If a bullet has a twist recommendation of 1:10”, it will be stable when fired from any rifle having a 1:10” or faster. So a 1:9” would work fine, but a 1:11” may not. The recommended twist rate will ensure adequate stability in all conditions, but there are some cases when the bullet may be stable from a slower twist (high altitude for example). Use the twist calculator on this page to calculate a stability factor for any bullet in your conditions to determine the actual twist requirement."

https://bergerbullets.com/faq-items/what-do-you-mean-by-faster-and-slower-twist-rate/

Twist Calculator

https://bergerbullets.com/ballistics-calculator/

 

[ATLDave]

I know they need a faster twist. I guess that would mean.they are less stable. I guess I'm just confused because I always thought a longer object was more aerodynamically stable. Obviously I'm wrong.

Low drag and high stability aren't the same thing.

 

[tipoc]

I know they need a faster twist. I guess that would mean.they are less stable. I guess I'm just confused because I always thought a longer object was more aerodynamically stable. Obviously I'm wrong.

Well maybe. But longer than what? A round lead ball? In that case, yes.

 

[PWC]

My grandfather was born in 1874 in Kansas, and as a young adult in Oklahoma Indian Territory. He was a "sooner', settled with the indians before the territory was opened for settlement. Lost his farm during the land rush. He knew many of the old west lawmen, prpbably didn't have dinner with them but knew them. He delivered mail on horseback at a time when mail carriers had to be armed because of cash in letters. Wish I had his long barrel Colt.

Now, he laughed at Hollywood where the bad guy came to town and takes it over. He said the people got together and killed him, shot front, back or bushwhacked, and buried him. People didn't hive up control of their towns.

Now, bona fides aside, my grandfather said, people hit in the upper body with a .44 or .45 went down on the ground and were out of the fight. No Hollywood grunt and grab the shoulder and keep fighting. A shoulder shot destroyed the shoulder and there was no restorative surgery available then.

Obviously, big bullets worked.