But a .45 weighs more... both weight and velocity determine how much energy or stopping power you are delivering to the target. If you are limiting the velocity to stay below the speed of sound, then you want to maximize the projectile weight.
115gr 9mm @ 1,180 ft/s (supersonic) = 355 ft⋅lbf of energy and a power factor (using IDPA rules) of 135.7
147gr 9mm @ 990 ft/s (subsonic) = 320 ft⋅lbf of energy and a power factor of 145.5
230gr .45 APC @ 835 ft/s = 356 ft⋅lbf of energy and a power factor of 192
edited for clarity: So in the above examples all three projectiles carry similar amounts of energy but the .45 delivers 40% more stopping power!
But a .45 weighs more... both weight and velocity determine how much energy or stopping power you are delivering to the target. If you are limiting the velocity to stay below the speed of sound, then you want to maximize the projectile weight.
- 115gr 9mm @ 1,180 ft/s (supersonic) = **355 ft⋅lbf** of energy and a power factor (using IDPA rules) of **135.7**
- 147gr 9mm @ 990 ft/s (subsonic) = **320 ft⋅lbf** of energy and a power factor of **145.5**
- 230gr .45 APC @ 835 ft/s = **356 ft⋅lbf** of energy and a power factor of **192**
edited for clarity: So in the above examples all three projectiles carry similar amounts of energy but the .45 delivers **40% more** stopping power!
Makes sense to me.
Makes sense to me.
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