.40 S&W vs. .45 ACP

[NMGonzo]

My high cap is .40

my single stack is .45

 

[KBintheSLC]

.40 180 grain going 1159 fps? What ammo is this?

I carry .40 180 grain HPs at work and I'm pretty sure they move at about 950 fps.

Maybe they are referring to the "real" 40... aka the 10mm Auto.

 

[ArmedBear]

I like the XD45: 13+1 rounds, very easy to shoot fast since recoil isn't snappy, and 230 grain bullets trump a little extra velocity with small ones IMO.

I'm not shooting through car doors with it, and I have very hard LSWC .44 Magnums going a good deal faster if I ever need that.

If I had to choose between 8 rounds of .45 and 15 of .40, that might change the equation. However, I don't have to make that choice, with a modern double stack.

 

[w_houle]

Inara: You don't need strength as much as speed. We're fragile creatures. It takes less than a pound of pressure to cut skin.
Mal: You know that? They teach you that in whore academy?

 

[RKRNC]

.40 180 grain going 1159 fps? What ammo is this?

The tables were generated using JBM's calculator with Hodgdon load data.

For the purposes of this inquiry, I used the fastest load (fps) data for each selected weight in each selected caliber. This information was gleaned from the Hodgdon reload data tables. I would add a direct link, but their liability page won't let you get directly there. The table lists a max load of 8gr. Hodgdon Longshot pushing a Hornady 180 gr. XTP @32,300psi.

I never fail to be amazed at the thoughtful responses of forum members to my questions. I appreciate that about this forum.

After reading all of your posts, I conclude that there is a general concensus to the following:
A handgun you shoot well will outperform a handgun you shoot less well, regardless of caliber or energy transfered (within limits, .22 probably isn't a great choice for SD, nor is .50BMG practical).

Where the above seems obvious, I was curious to know if ballistics data could support it.

My initial conclusion is that it will not.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the input.

RK