Palladan44
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2020
- Messages
- 1,903
Most wheelgun (and other gun) aficionados know that the vast of majority of factory ammunition for "more powerful" handguns is watered down in power.
10mm that pops like a .40
357 mag that pops like a .38 +p
44 mag that dips as low as 450 ft./lb. energy...common.
There are great exceptions to this, Buffalo Bore, Underwood, Atomic and sime other high quality "small batch" manufacturers make excellent loads that are up to or exceed original power specs for the caliber. And they charge a hefty fee, usually more than double the price of your regular factory ammo. Since ive taken up handloading, ive been able to make whatever flavor i want.....from "mouse fart" .38s that go 650 fps, and the only reason you knew it wasnt a squib was because you saww the bullet arcing through the air like a marble from a slingshot......to hot 357 magnums that burn your eyebrows off and top 1400fps, fired from the same weapon...all while staying within published load specifications for the calibers.
A lot of ammo may be lightened up to address accuracy issues, for reasons of your average shooters capabilities when handling heavier loads. For target ammo from UMC, WWB, Federal champ/American eagle. Fiocchi, the list goes on....they may want to load these to the specification that was found to be the most accurate loading. That, to me, is important.
Economy, why pack more powder in than is needed..?
Not sure if legal departments from ammo manufacturers are worried about using full house loads, and wearing or destroying certain platforms..... i know Buffalo Bore post warnings not to use certain ammo in certain brand/model firearms.
SD loads and over-penetration: Lots of 357 and 10mm loads are designed for SD and are extremely light for the caliber. And there is a good reason for it. Based on hollow point bullet design, theyre looking for expansion and a certain amount of penetration, but not more than that, up to 15-18". Usually this is anywhere from 975-1,150 fps. In these calibers.. Original 357 mag, and 10mm can push rounds 1300-1400 fps, and these velocities can damage hollow points by either opening up and fragmenting, OR oppositely, penetrating too deeply.
Somebody asked me about this. And this is the best explanation i can come up with. Any input or greater wisedom, id appreciate a post.
10mm that pops like a .40
357 mag that pops like a .38 +p
44 mag that dips as low as 450 ft./lb. energy...common.
There are great exceptions to this, Buffalo Bore, Underwood, Atomic and sime other high quality "small batch" manufacturers make excellent loads that are up to or exceed original power specs for the caliber. And they charge a hefty fee, usually more than double the price of your regular factory ammo. Since ive taken up handloading, ive been able to make whatever flavor i want.....from "mouse fart" .38s that go 650 fps, and the only reason you knew it wasnt a squib was because you saww the bullet arcing through the air like a marble from a slingshot......to hot 357 magnums that burn your eyebrows off and top 1400fps, fired from the same weapon...all while staying within published load specifications for the calibers.
A lot of ammo may be lightened up to address accuracy issues, for reasons of your average shooters capabilities when handling heavier loads. For target ammo from UMC, WWB, Federal champ/American eagle. Fiocchi, the list goes on....they may want to load these to the specification that was found to be the most accurate loading. That, to me, is important.
Economy, why pack more powder in than is needed..?
Not sure if legal departments from ammo manufacturers are worried about using full house loads, and wearing or destroying certain platforms..... i know Buffalo Bore post warnings not to use certain ammo in certain brand/model firearms.
SD loads and over-penetration: Lots of 357 and 10mm loads are designed for SD and are extremely light for the caliber. And there is a good reason for it. Based on hollow point bullet design, theyre looking for expansion and a certain amount of penetration, but not more than that, up to 15-18". Usually this is anywhere from 975-1,150 fps. In these calibers.. Original 357 mag, and 10mm can push rounds 1300-1400 fps, and these velocities can damage hollow points by either opening up and fragmenting, OR oppositely, penetrating too deeply.
Somebody asked me about this. And this is the best explanation i can come up with. Any input or greater wisedom, id appreciate a post.