Posted on 01/31/2024 2:55:53 AM PST by marktwain
Some new shot cartridges caught this correspondent’s eye at the CCI part of the Vista Outdoors exhibit at the SHOT Show. There were three displayed: a 10mm offering using 109 grains of #9 lead shot, a 9mm using 43 grains of Hevi Bismuth, non-lead shot, and a .38 Special using 80 grains of Hevi Bismuth, non-lead shot.
The 10mm is to satisfy those with 10mm handguns who find a shot cartridge useful for their needs. The Hevi Bismuth loads are to satisfy customers who want to be certain about their status on the law, where lead shot is prohibited. A CCI representative said most of the demand for the Hevi Bismuth loads comes from the western United States. Testing of the Hevi Bismuth loads shows comparable results to current lead loads.
This correspondent has sources who have experimented with the Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). The performance of TSS is far, far beyond lead shot. TSS is extremely dense, 18.3 grams per cubic centimeter, compared to about 11.3 grams per cubic centimeter for lead shot. TSS is about 60% more dense than lead, which gives it a tremendous ballistic advantage. TSS appears to be a natural for pistol shot cartridges, which are primarily limited by the small volumes of shot available. Because of the difference in density, a similar shot cartridge could fit in 60% more shot. Because of the combination of hardness and density, shot sizes can be dropped by at least two levels for similar terminal effects.
This correspondent asked: Why not switch to TSS? Pistol shot shells are already relatively expensive because they are produced in such small numbers. The increased cost of using TSS shot would primarily be in the cost of the shot.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Yes. They use about 5% of nickle and iron to hold the Tungsten together.
https://www.youtube.com/@taofledermaus/videos
...porcelain rounds, coins, bubble gum, machine screws, flechettes, hexagon shaped rounds, octagon shaped rounds, cube shaped bullets, batteries, donut shaped rounds, carbon fiber slugs, bismuth rounds, magnesium rounds, lithium rounds, gallium rounds, tungsten rounds, playing dice, rocks, hard candy rounds, the small MRE hot sauce bottles, micro bottles of gasoline, match heads, toenail clippers, wooden rounds, washers, glass marbles, brass slugs, copper slugs, cereal, chalk, concrete, and the list goes on.
CCI has a New .22 called “UPPER CUT”...
See any of That?
Have you seen the 75th anniversary of Hornady commemorative bullets?
They have been a great supplier for a long time.
Basically a Gold Dot bullet in a premium .22 LR. Interesting concept. Lots of people carry a .22 for self-defense.
Ballistics Jell test on those is Awesome.
The commemorative issue boxes might be a nice collector's item. I use the Speer Plinkers because they are safe when loaded in a lever action tubular mag or standard stack fed magazine. Spires are a no-go in a Tubular mag with the exception of those bullets with a software polymer tip intended for use in a tubular mag.
My preference in brass is also Starline brass.
I use Hornady FTX bullets in my 30-30. And sometimes just cast lead bullets.
Use Hornady FTP bullets in my 357/38Spec Uberti revolver and my 9mm pistol. But have polymer coated bullets for both. And copper plated SWC for 357/38Spec.
My go to for most rifles is the Hornady .308 150 gr Interlock bullets.
Was not aware of the Speer Plinkers bullets, I knew they made bullets for 30-30, but that name did not ring a bell.
Speer is simplicity. Hot poured lead in jacket.
They sell a lot of law enforcement calibers and patterns.
I’ve never been impressed with 9mm pistols, but discovered that with 147 gr bullets it is very effective. Loading 9mm ammo is not as easy as some other calibers, especially with Polymer frames. I am new to that.
A few years ago we purchased his n hers Springfield EMP4 9mm pistol. 147 gr is what they liked best. It was a wedding anniversary thing :-). I also have the 40 S&W version of the EMP4. The grip frame is heavier to compensate for the heavier bullet. I prefer 165 gr for my 40 S&W. For 10mm, 180 gr works well.
“147 gr is the “official” load for the 9mm Luger”
Yes. Agree.
Just like the 158 gr is the sweet spot for 357mag/38Spec. It is an issue of resonance with the cartridge. That determines what powder performs the best.
The ability to customize the ammo by careful reloading makes this interesting. It takes a while to get the hang of it. That comes from studying the reloading data for a cartridge and bullet type. When you get the one that works the best, Stop messing with it. smile.
I don’t run out and load 100’s of round until I am confident in accuracy.
You can spend a lot of time tuning, but the results is what we aim at.
30 caliber rifle cartridges are the same way. Lots of people swear by the 168 gr bullets. (I shoot and load more 150 gr.)
My father was an Armorer in WWII, serviced Quad 50’s and Bofors. He was amazing about free hand shooting. He killed his last deer at 400 yards with his 06.
My dad's markmanship was a little more coarse. He was the port 5 inch gunnery officer on the USS Iowa. His crew took out the ammo dumps at Wonsan Harbor in Sept 1952. On the return trip, the Iowa went by Vieques Island to perform shooting drills to earn a battle "meatball" flag. They were shooting inert projectiles. The base commander was so sure that a ship shooting a 5 inch round couldn't do so accurately and placed his personal vehicle out as a target. My dad's crew did the standard one over, one under, one ON. The ON destroyed the commander's vehicle. He was so incensed that he nearly denied the ship the "meatball" flag.
Yep and the computers were mechanical. It is amazing how precise.
Yes, machined like a Swiss watch.
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