Posted on 02/22/2003 8:34:22 PM PST by 2nd_Amendment_Defender
General Julian Hatcher, a noted forensic pathologist, in the early 1900’s developed a good formula to determine the theoretical stopping power of a firearm cartridge. His formula has withstood the test of time and validation from other studies and data related to stopping power.
You want a handgun cartridge that has a Hatcher value of over 50 for the most effective stopping power. Values over 55 have diminishing returns in that you don’t gain any significant increase in stopping power for the extra recoil and control you must cope with. Handgun cartridges that don’t make a value of at least 50, should not considered for self-defense. If the rating of your handgun cartridge is under 30, it only has about a 30% chance of producing a one shot stop. Hatcher Ratings of 30 to 49 raise a one shot stop to approximately a 50% chance. Ratings of 50 or higher produce a one shot stop about 90% of the time.
Handgun Cartridge Type ..................... Hatcher Rating
.45 ACP full metal jacket 230 grain .......... 49.1
.45 ACP jacketed hollow point 230 grain ...... 60.7
.44 Magnum full metal jacket 240 grain ....... 92.3
*.44 Magnum lead wad cutter 240 grain ......... 136.8
.44 Special full metal jacket 240 grain ...... 51.6
*.44 Special lead wad cutter 240 grain ............. 76.5
.41 Magnum full metal jacket 230 grain ............. 54
*.41 Magnum lead wad cutter 230 grain .............. 80
10 millimeter full metal jacket 180 grain .......... 50.3
10 millimeter jacketed hollow point 180 grain ..62.1
.40 S&W full metal jacket flat nose 180 grain ...... 53.4
.40 S&W jacketed hollow point 180 grain ....... 59.4
.38 Special full metal jacket 158 grain ...... 26.7
*.38 Special lead wad cutter 158 grain ............. 39.7
**.357 Magnum full metal jacket 158 grain ..... 32.7
**.357 Magnum lead wad cutter 158 grain ............ 48.5
.357 SIG full metal jacket 147 grain ................ 36.6
.357 SIG jacketed hollow point 147 grain ..... 45.2
9 millimeter full metal jacket 147 grain ............ 32.3
9 millimeter jacketed hollow point 147 grain ... 39.9
.380 Auto jacketed hollow point 95 grain ..... 18.3
.32 Auto jacketed hollow point 71 grain ...... 11.1
.25 Auto jacketed hollow point 50 grain ...... 3.7
.22 Long Rifle jacketed hollow point 40 grain ... 4.2
* Jacketed hollow points will have the same rating as wad cutter bullets if the bullet hollow tip is greater than 1/2 of the caliber of the bullet.
* .357 Magnum ratings are taken from a firearm with a 3 inch barrel. Longer barrels will raise the rating of the round.
A word of advice about hot powder +P loads in your 9 x 19 handgun: some handguns are not built for +P loads (consult your user's manual for your handgun).
With handgun loads your hollowpoint will not expand about 50% of the time. This is what they have found in numerous shootings where handguns have been used as handgun bullet velocites are so low.
Go to the website below and read the information there for more information on handgun stopping power.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm
Bookmarked!
http://yp.bellsouth.com/sites/magsafeammo/page3.html
Magsafe is a proven one shot stopper from the 9mm. I can't imagine what it would do in a .357 or a .45 ACP.
Second as far as expansion goes what you say is true. That is why every one of my posts specifies a MODERN +P or +P+ hollow point. The modern bullets do expand reliably even when fired through multiple layers of denim or leather.
Third as far as wounding characteristics go, it is all fine and good that he can write a scholarly article. Fackler also does a good job of running his mouth and produces articles and equations that show that a 45 ball round is more effective than a modern 9mm hollowpoint. (For that matter his equations have shown that 124 or 147 gr 9mm Nato ball are both much more effective than a modern 115gr 9mm hollow point) Both are manifestly bull$#!T.
If you want real wounding characteristics go to the actual shootings. The actual shootings show a different reality.
The modern 230 gr 45 hollow point is an excellent round but it is only slightly more effective than a modern 9mm hollow point in ACTUAL shootings. The actual shootings are what counts.
You can post these articles until you are blue in the face. I love Jeff Cooper more than the next guy and his opinions were correct WHEN he formed them. Now they are patently WRONG. Technology has marched on and is producing more effective rounds every year. BTW the MODERN 45 rounds are looking more and more like 9mm in their loadings (though I would carry the 230 if I carried my 45).
Amend Fackler to say Hatcher
In the 40S&W (again when not using MagSafe) I prefer the 165gr or 135 gr Hydra-Shok or the 165 gr Speer Gold Dot. At the ned of June, my wife and I will be driving out to Texas from our home in Miami, FL to pick up a Newfoundland pup (an adoption, lol). I'll be carrying my Glock M27 40S&W. For concealabilty and comfort, I'll have the short 9rd mag in the gun stoked with MagSafe. My backups will be Hi-Cap M22 or M23 mags with the A & G grip extenders so as to provide a seamless grip A & G
I figure that I'll be capable of launching 72 rounds before I even have to worry about topping off mags (wife's job) from the two 50rd boxes of backup ammo. Thanks be to Governor Jeb Bush for all the reciprocity agreements that will allow me to be "legal" for the entire trip.
What I do know is our troops would much rather carry .45 ACP handguns rather than the M-9. Many police departments have taken the .40 S&W over the 9 x 19.
You will never convince me that a 9 x 19 handgun is more effective in stopping power than a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP handgun.
Granted there are a few advantages to the 9 x 19 cartridge. You can generally get a smaller more concealable handgun for carry and ammo is quite common. Carry what you want though. In the end it's your preference.
We can agree on one thing nobody wants to carry a full size Baretta M-9, it is a clunky POS. If my choice was a 1911 or that I would be carrying a 1911 especially since I would be using ball ammo. As far as that is concerned I would lose the pistol and carry a few more 30 round mags if I was in the military.
For myself, the smoothest shooting and most accurate without a brace is the 454 Super Redhawk shooting the 45 long colt round. I also own the H&K USP in the 45 Cal and it is super accurate for a short barrel 45 automatic. Takes a smooth trigger pull to keep it on target though.
I BELEIVE I HAVE DEVELOPED THE MOST POWERFUL AUTO PISTOL CARTRIDGE EVER, IT IS VERY FAST AND ACCURATE, IT WILL PENETRATE 3/16" STEEL AT 25YDS AND WILL HOLD LESS THAN 1" ACCURCY AND IT WILL REACH 2600+ FPS MUZZEL VEL, A HAND GUN CLOSEING THE VELOCITY GAP BETWEEN RIFLE AND PISTOL.
Hi Squantos. Why stainless? Isn't that really shiny in the daylight? It's humorous how everybody has their own opinions on so many aspects of firearms. Really keeps everything interesting. Take care.
Thanks for the info
If i could presume to add to your advice - practice, practice, practice - there IS NO substitute.
Many years later I shot a perp in a store hold up with a 44 mag. That was not very pretty either but it stopped him. He had killed the clerk, a friend of mine for $25 and an arm load of smokes.
Now all that said I am a firm believer in shot placement with any shot. Of course you don't always get that option.
The theoretical stopping power rises in inverse proportion to the ability of the average, minimally trained shooter to hit the target.
Four hits with a .22 are better than four misses with a .44.
Soldiers, marines, and policemen are not representative of the general population.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.