Put these in order

[jsalcedo]

Put these cartridges in order of stopping power from worst to best. example: (25 auto would be before .44 mag)

Use standard bullet weights and factory loadings for comparison
Forget hot loaded, forget black talon, forget special projectiles.
Assume FMJ round nose

.22LR
.22mag
.25acp
.32acp
.32 HR mag
.38 special
.380acp
9X18 makarov
9mm parabellum/luger
.357 sig
10mm
40 S&W
.357 mag
.45acp
.45 LC
.44 special
.44mag
50AE
480 ruger


I know where the generalities would lead me but I would like to see some THR folks put them in order from least stopping power to most with factory loaded FMJ round nose.

 

[blades67]

The one that hits the brain first.

 

[SkunkApe]

A while back I put together an Excel file, with a bar chart, showing the minimum and maximum muzzle energies of various popular handgun cartridges.

PM me, and I'll email it to you.

 

[Preacherman]

OK. My take, worst to best, in FMJ round nose or nearest solid configuration:

1. .25acp
2. .22LR
3. .22 Mag
4. .32 ACP
5. .32 H&R Mag
6. .380 ACP
7. 9x18 Makarov and .38 Special
8. 9mm. Parabellum
9. .357 Mag and 357 SIG (which would be top of the list in JHP configuration)
10. .40 S&W and 10mm. (in FMJ, the extra velocity of the 10mm. is largely irrelevant - both will overpenetrate very easily...)
11. .44 Special and .45 LC and .45 ACP
12. .50 AE and .480 Ruger

This ranking is based on both Marshall & Sanow's "street rankings" and Fackler's penetration school of thought, as well as 18 years experience in a civil war situation, observing and participating in far too many gunfights for comfort... Of course, if JHP's and +P rounds are admitted, the above ranking would change considerably. Top would be .357 Magnum and 357 SIG: second would be .40 S&W and .45 ACP and 10mm.: third would be 9mm. Parabellum.

Flame away, fellow THR'ers!

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

Umm, well, there certainly is no definative answer to this question, but i'll give it a shot (no pun intended).

Some of the following order is based upon muzzle energy ratings found at www.ammoguide.com. Many are very close and could change order extremely quickly with a slight altering of bullet weight / amount of powder. This is also for FMJ.


.25acp
.22LR
.32acp
.22mag
.380acp
.32 HR mag
9X18 makarov
.38 special
9mm parabellum/luger
.357 sig
40 S&W
.44 special
.357 mag
.45acp
.45 LC
10mm
.44mag
50AE

480 ruger - either one below or one above .50AE... not sure.

 

[jsalcedo]

I think you are onto something preacherman.

Your post makes a lot of sense to me.

I think I was stuck in the old "us vs them" caliber mentality

 

[cratz2]

Well, so much is going to rely on exactly where the target was hit. A solid vital hit that damaged the heart and one lung from most of those listed would be pretty effective, but assuming a near extremely vital shot, and also assuming the average best ammo widely available in each chambering:

.25acp
.22LR
.22mag
.32acp
.380acp
.32 HR mag
9X18 makarov
.44 special (because no widely available SD ammo)
.45 LC (because no widely available SD ammo)
.38 special
9mm parabellum/luger
40 S&W
10mm
.357 sig
.357 mag
.45acp

I think the following probably reatch to high of a velocity per their weight to expand much in an average sized... uh... soft target and while I'm sure they very well might eventually result in the death of that soft target, I'd really rather rely on one of the cartridges from 38 Special to 45ACP.

.44mag
50AE
480 ruger