Largest practical caliber for SD?

[doc2rn]

Leave the Alaskan in the waterproof case

I would not use an alaskan or anything above a .460 saw a guy set a tree on fire at an outdoor range with the muzzle blast. Guess if you wanna burn down the house that would be okay.

 

[RobMoore]

I disagree with the "18+ inches of penetration" in ballistic gellatin being the cutoff for not using a round. The overpenetration "risk" is blown way out of proportion, but underpenetration is surely something that WILL make your gunfight last longer than it should. You want your bullets to cut holes as deep and wide as possible into your adversary to give the biggest permanent wound cavity. Wanting a bullet to "dump all its energy" into something isn't asking very much, from handgun rounds especially.

Carry whatever will do that. My idea of that is hollowpoints (Gold Dots) in .357SIG to 45ACP.

 

[McCall911]

ssuming expanding-type bullets:

Upper limit for caliber: .45

Upper limit for terminal performance: 10mm (most), .41 Magnum (loadings of less than 210 grains), .44 Magnum (about 180 grains.)

 

[atab68]

I don't know of anyone who carries anything larger than a .45 on a regular basis. The most important thing is that you can be comfortable and not have to worry about. personaly I carry .40 and .45 and .38/.357.

 

[Shear_stress]

I don't know of anyone who carries anything larger than a .45 on a regular basis. The most important thing is that you can be comfortable and not have to worry about. personaly I carry .40 and .45 and .38/.357.

Great point. Isn't the "largest practical caliber for SD", by the definition, the largest one you can actually shoot well defensively? If you can't shoot it well, than it ain't practical.

 

[brutus56]

12 gauge can't be beat but a 1911 in 45acp has always been my favorite.
Lately as old age has been creaping up on me I find a 45 Colt revolver
loaded with a 265gr. wfngc bullet and 8.5gr. of unique handles every situation I might find myself in.

 

[Nomad101bc]

Go all out and use a golden or bright silver .50 cal. Dessert eagle the official gun of the men with small penises lmao. JK Dont get offended if you really do own one of these.

 

[AStone]

.357 mag.

If it'll take down a deer
at 30 yds (with a 3" revolver)
or 90 yds (with an 18" carbine),
then it's good enough for me.

I've got control with the revolver for a fast double tap
(which I won't necessarily have with .44 mag)
and accuracy with the carbine.

 

[MP5]

Great point. Isn't the "largest practical caliber for SD", by the definition, the largest one you can actually shoot well defensively? If you can't shoot it well, than it ain't practical.

Agreed. The actual science of ballistics and wounds is all well and good, but first and foremost, I need something I can consistently and confidently be on target with.

 

[billybob44]

If you look at the specs. a .357 Mag, in 125gr. has almost the same knock down as a .45acp. in 230gr. There is a totally different "feel" in the 2 loads/guns, but they are about equal. I like both. My S&W 681 does well, as does my Series 80 Colt MK 4.

 

[Bilt4Comfort]

The 3 I carry work for me.
The question is, what works for you?
I cannot answer your question.

 

[hankdatank1362]

For your self defense? I dunno, .45ACP?

For my own hide? Nothing is too big... even .600 NE... I'll buy the neighbors a new dog or window, but mr. home invader is going down, and going down immediately!

Of course, I'm joking. I usually carry 9mm +p and feel fine.

 

[Houston Tom]

As has been said what you can carry and use effect. go and try some out and then pick what works for you.

 

[Nomad101bc]

.50 Caliber dessert eagle with hollow points he he. Not sure even body armor has a hope of stoping that i saw video where it pierced several layers of steel.

 

[1911 guy]

How big?

As big as you can hide.

All handgun calibers are somewhat anemic looking as soon as you stack them up against even very modest rifle loadings. For example, the old and venerable 30/30 generates more oomph at the recieving end than a .44 mag.

If you're totin' a handgun, tote as big a handgun as your situation allows. It may be that due to whatever reason you're down to a .380. So be it, at least you've got something. If however, you can go larger, do it.

 

[Glockman17366]

Seriously...what ever caliber gun you have most accessible when you need it.
This could be any caliber at all.
With me, it'll probably be a 9 mm...but might be a .38 Spl.

Those are the two calibers I always have handy.

 

[BeJaRa]

I personally like to carry a 45 ACP not just because it is a "45" but I feel it gives me as potent caliber in a handgun as any but is (for me anyway) easier to shoot and if I did have to fire the weapon in SD while I am out and about it will not make my ears bleed. I don't feel I am any more sensitive to a firearm's report than most, but I did fire a 125 gr JHP from a 6" 357 mag revolver one time without hearing protection and it was simply a painful experience. So I don't think I will be carrying a 44mag 357, 10mm or any other high velocity handgun for that simple reason. the 45 is loud but it doesn't have that "crack" but more of a boom. I assume that the other faster calibers have it since they are breaking the sound barrier. Plus I feel all handgun calibers are insefficent anyway but tey will give me a better chance to get to my long guns or escape.

 

[40SW]

Practical for whom?
The general rule of thumb is that one should have their primary CCW in the largest caliber that they can shoot effectively. Now, since different people have different builds, different sensitivities to felt recoil, medical challenges such as arthritis, etc, etc. , no one can give you a definitive answer since it varies from person to person. I carry a Glock 20 in 10mm, , now my mother is 70 years old with arthritis and diabetes, she is small and fragile, I am big, tall, and husky, so for her its a Smith J Frame in .38 spcl, which is the upper end of what she can handle recoil wise, she also has a Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP. Some folks can't handle anything larger than a .32HR or even .22LR, Again, the rule is that whatever the upper end of your felt recoil spectrum is, go with that, of course that changes overtime as people gain muscle memory and confidence with firearms. Good gunshop owners ask novice shooters probing questions, others don't. Hope I've shed some light on this great topic. and always remember, barrel length, specific load, bullet type/shape is almost as critical as caliber.

 

[coelacanth]

well, since this was posted in the handguns forum...

I'll assume we're talking about handguns only and not mention the 10 guage shotguns. But seriously folks, there are several .50 cal rounds out there to choose from - I believe the .50 GI has already been mentioned and it's chambered in a 1911 auto platform and then there's the .50 AE available in the Desert Eagle and if you are a wheelgunner Hamilton Bowen can fix you up with the .50 AE or the .50 special in a rechambered Ruger Redhawk. Any of those half inchers ought to be sufficient for defense of self without inflicting more damage from recoil than was expected from the attacker.

 

[MCgunner]

All handgun calibers are somewhat anemic looking as soon as you stack them up against even very modest rifle loadings. For example, the old and venerable 30/30 generates more oomph at the recieving end than a .44 mag.

If you're totin' a handgun, tote as big a handgun as your situation allows. It may be that due to whatever reason you're down to a .380. So be it, at least you've got something. If however, you can go larger, do it.

Well, I have walked into a convenience store with my scoped .30-30 contender under my hunting coat in my Uncle Mikes shoulder rig after a morning on the deer stand and the clerk never knew it was there. How's that for maximum concealed power? Sorta makes the .44 mag look lame, especially out at 100 yards. Of course, you have to make that one shot count.

 

[GunTech]

The right caliber is the one you will always have with you. Unfortunately, muggers don't call up and let you know that they'll be mugging you Saturday the third, sometime between 10:00 and 10:30.

I personally carry a 38 snubbie most of the time, although when working with clients, I drop a 380 Colt Mustang into a pocket holster. Not everyone react well to a carried handgun and when your income relies on othet people, you gave to make compromises. It's also often not practical to carry a large handgun based on wardrobe. I don't want to be wearing a coat to cover my 1911 when it's 105 outside.

The reality is that the difference between a 44 mag and a 32 auto is less than a handgun and a rifle by far. And relying on 'studies' like Handgun Stopping Power is foolish as the data is sanatized, heavily skewed and suspect.

According to the Journal of Trauma the primary factor in handgun strikes is not caliber, but what you hit. Also, the number of times hit is a more important factor than caliber. Please note this is only statistical data. It' not always a good idea to rely purely on statistics. There is always that data that fall out of the norm.

My take is that you must carry something with enough power to penetrate to vital parts, and shoot the offender until they stop doing whatever made you shoot them in the first place. I suspect the 'effectiveness' of the heavy calibers like 45acp has more to do with the skill of the user (since pros tend to go for the heavies) than with the caliber itself.

Finally, and all of the above being said, 380 is the smallest I go. But if I had a choice between 32acp and nothing, I'd take 32acp. I have a friend who's been known to carry her Seecamp 32 in her swimsuit on super hot days. That ain't happening with a 1911 or even mini-Glock.

 

[Dravur]

cruise missile

or a 16 inch gun.... You didn't say SD against what....