Speeds, Feeds and Ballistics 40S&W - I Shot My Chronograph

[mr.revolverguy]

Another episode of Speeds, Feeds and Ballistics this time with 40S&W. Much like the first video of testing 10MM through a pistol and carbine we put 40S&W through the same test. But this time I have a little bit of a surprise for everyone and no it is not the fact that I shot my chronograph.

https://youtu.be/NBzd6NzAI7Q

Will Caliber Wars ever come to an end? So far I have tested 10MM and now 40S&W next up 9MM. Is it really true that with the advancement in bullet technology caliber doesn't matter anymore?

So what do you think is the ideal barrel length for 40S&W? Leave your comments below.

[Kenk]

Another awesome video, Thanks man!

Ken

[The_Shadow]

Something doesn't add up in the expansion!  The 40 caliber is 0.400" before expansion!  Therefor the expansion numbers seem to be off!  Should be over 0.400"  It seems those are 9mm numbers shown!  Other than that the rest of the data is great!  Thanks for another great video!?

[mr.revolverguy]

Wow Shadow thanks, I will need to pull this video down. My DA_- cheap electronic calipers are measuring wrong and I have no idea why. This is what happens when you rush something I was not even thinking about it.

[sqlbullet]

Good video.

With regard to this question...

Is it really true that with the advancement in bullet technology caliber doesn't matter anymore?

A rising tide lifts all boats, the saying goes, and I think this applies here.  Every advance that makes the 9mm more effective can be applied to 40, 10mm and 45, making them more effective as well.  And as long as threats are stopped by blood loss and cns disruption, bigger holes will be better.

It is definitely true that technology has helped the 9mm move past the FBI statements from the early 1990's that a caliber must start with a "4" to merit consideration, it doesn't change that fact that all else equal, bigger bullets do more damage than smaller ones.

The final wildcard that each user must measure is what works best for them!  Yes, a single 10mm or 45 ACP shot to gel may be far more devastating than a single 9mm shot.  But if your ability means in a 3 second encounter you can put five 9mm rounds in the gel, but only two or three 10mm or 45 ACP rounds, that is a meaningful difference.  Shoot what you carry and carry what you shoot well.

[Trapper6L]

I'm from the school of the 180gr bullets are just too heavy for the 40SW cartridge. My normal plinking ammo and carry ammo are 135gr HPs out of the 40SWs I have. I'm getting over 1300'ps from it which puts it about 200'ps faster than a 9mm with the same weight bullet. It hasn't failed me yet. Maybe it's my usual hunting is geared towards varmints that has me thinking the faster, lighter bullet is the way to fly- don't know but I do know it works for me.

In regards to bullet performance advances. When I was a much younger person, about 50 years ago, we put down lots of varmints with the 9mm as it was a cheap date to shoot. Our normal reloading component was the Remington 115gr HP on top of 5.5grs Unique. Sometimes when we'd pull the bullets, you could just about reload them as there was little to no expansion. That's a rare thing today with the newer bullets like the HST, XTP, and others. Still, there is no perfect bullet out there yet. In some instances I've seen where a plain lead bullet out performs a jacketed HP. Depends on how much stuff the bullet has to go thru before it hits meat. But there's one thing very obvious, bullets today are far more effective than ever before. The differences between the bore diameters keeps getting closer all the time.

Yet another great vid by Mr.revolverguy. I applaud your efforts. There's very few self made vids that I look at. Most are just plain BS. But yours comes from common sense, are well explained, and focused on the task rather than putting on a show. Your vids are the only ones I look forward to and frankly, haven't had a questions after watching. Many thanks.