Comments for ShadoWalker's Musings, Realizations and Rants!

Comment on A primer on handgun terminal ballistics by CKK

CKK — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:31:26 +0000

I would love a response by email.
I have looked at a lot of energy/penetration articles. Yours is by far the most well reasoned. One thing I have seen in all of the light/fast, and big/heavy articles is a persistence in comparing apples to oranges…9mm to .45. What is needed is to answer the question eliminating the difference between calibers (frontal surface area). Using a .400 caliber bullet compare:
1. light/fast bullets and heavy/slow bullets LOADED TO THE SAME ENERGY level, and then compare the difference momentum makes. I would recommend using non expanding rounds to eliminate the variable of bullet performance, and then using hollowpoints as a less scientific but more “real world” illustration.
2. light/fast bullets and heavy/slow bullets LOADED TO THE SAME MOMENTUM and then compare the difference energy makes. Again using non expanding and then expanding bullets.
3. I suspect a little calculus would determine (for that caliber) the ideal intersection of momentum and energy. Then a person would have to determine how close they can reasonably approach that ideal in factory loads, or by handloading.

Comment on The 9mm Luger, 40 S&W and 45 ACP Compared by Ogden Lane

Ogden Lane — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:43:49 +0000

I’ve been shooting for years, and went to 9mm just before 40’s became accepted; some forget that being extensions of 10mm, there were concerns about them for a while. I asked an instructor recently about his opinion on calibers amont those 3. He said it was all about placement, placement, placement. That means practice, practice, practice. Test drive all three, fInd the caliber and weapon that you like, get a good HP load, and shoot frequently. There is no harm in trying other calibers from time to time, but it is better good to be very good with just one than poor to fair with all three.
Bigger isn’t always better: hitting with 2 22 magnums is better than missing with 1 44 magnum.

Comment on The 9mm Luger, 40 S&W and 45 ACP Compared by russ s

russ s — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:28:58 +0000

a good comparision. Being more of a rifle shooter than a hand gunner I took your analysis one step further and judged these calibers by John Taylors’ knockout power. The 9mm came up with 6,7,7 respectively for each bullet weight. The .40 showed a 10 for each weight and the .45 was 12,13,13. John Taylor was a big game hunter in Africa for many years and figured the minimum elephant rifle needed a K.O. of 40.

Comment on Choosing Birdshot, Buckshot or Slugs for shotgun home defense. by Hank

Hank — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:06:32 +0000

A stusent of mine got a job w/ NPS. He was required to carry a 12 ga. loaded w/ slugs at all times while on duty because of bear attacks.
He was doubtful that a 12 ga. would harm a bear, & asked my advice. I showed him what a 12 ga. slug woulds do by putting one through an old, long-empty 100lb. propane tank.
He was dumbfounded when the slug blew a 3 inch hole out of the back side of the tank.
The guy concerned about his family is correct. A 12 ga. slug will completely penetrate a frame house., wall to wall. In a town house, better worry about the family next door too.
Double ought or triple ought buck will do the job.

Comment on A primer on handgun terminal ballistics by Florida Hunting Guy

Florida Hunting Guy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:16:33 +0000

Really great info posted there. I’m not a big fan of handguns since I’m not really good at aiming them. With this one, maybe I could try and hit the spot

Comment on Choosing Birdshot, Buckshot or Slugs for shotgun home defense. by Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:20:36 +0000

While a shotgun is arguably the most effective close combat firearm available to civilians I think it worth mentioning that one round even of 00 Buck is not always suficient. Small and relatively low velocity projectiles such as buck shot pellets have a tendency to deflect off of hard surfaces such as bone and follow the path of least resistance. Because of this I recomend firing at least twice on any intended target (remember the individual in question is there on the premise of doing harm to you and yours) or loading alternating shells of buck and all copper expanding slugs. If you’re worried about over penetration in an urban environment, the substitution of frangible (compressed lead powder slugs) ammunition can provide an answer.

Comment on Choosing Birdshot, Buckshot or Slugs for shotgun home defense. by goog

goog — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:47:23 +0000

I don’t think I would care to get shot with bird shot. Anyone want to take me on with 7 rounds in my simi auto 12 gauge. I wouldn’t think so. I may or may not kill an intruder with bird shot but if it dosent kill a person, im sure they will be too incopacitated to fight back. And if I unloaded 7 rounds on an intruder at close rage, i think they would be hamburger. Also, If i did get into a firefight in my home, my family members would be safer against friendly fire with bird shot.

Now that being said, lets just say that I did have a home invasion and the intruder also has a weapon. I think I would choose the buck shot so I could have more chance to shoot him dead, With bird shot there is more of a chance that he will be able shoot back.

I think bird shot can be effective not to mention safer for innocents in certain situations! So why not have both munitions available for different situations? If the attacker is outside and away from innocents or it is just you alone with the attacker, go for the buck shot or slugs. If you have like 10 kids packed into a small home go for the birdshot. You just have to weigh the effectiveness of buck shot against the safety of bird shot.

It’s Tough call that is a matter of opinion, but you should always consider your enemy armed, so I would lean towards the buck shot; however, I wouldn’t rule out bird shot all together.

Comment on Choosing Birdshot, Buckshot or Slugs for shotgun home defense. by bob

bob — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:44:57 +0000

If your choice is a shotgun, I would strongly advise using only slugs for heavy and dangerous game like bears, save the 000 or 00 shotshells for home defense or hunting smaller game.
Either 3 1/2″ or 3″ high velocity slug shells are fine.
Many people in Alaska use the 454 Casull handgun for its stopping power and compact size when on fishing or camping trips, but if you’re traveling by car the shotgun is a better choice for defense and taking game if needed.

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Comment on Choosing Birdshot, Buckshot or Slugs for shotgun home defense. by Mark

Mark — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:05:59 +0000

this is a great site all the others dont go into deatail like this… my question is, i will be traveling to alaska soon and was wondering what would be the best choice for stopping a bear. i dont plan on meeting any bears along the way but just incase i break down somewhere in the yukon tarritory and might get stranded for a while i would like some sort of defense against animals. i was thinking of getting a benelli nova pump with 3 1/2″ 00 or even 000 buck shot with a slug or two on the side. any thoughts?