We hear a lot about how the new 9mm loads match the .40 loads, and that is why .40 is becoming more and more obsolete. Doing some quick calculations, however, it seems that .40 loads can match more closely match .45 loads, than 9mm loads can match .40 loads.
"Hot" 9mm seems to be in the 1200-1250 fps range for a 125gr bullet. This puts as at 400-434 ft/lbs of energy
"Hot" 40S&W seems to hit about 1100fps with a 180gr bullet (I had about 2K handloads of these, loaded about 120fps faster than the HST I have) reaching 484ft/lbs of energy
and finally "hot" 45 with a 230gr bullet goes about 950fps and that puts us at 461ft/lbs of energy
Of course there are outliers, especially with brands like Buffalo Bore... which seems to really be pushing it, but these are loads for "heavier bullets" and it would at least seem that .40 in terms of muzzle energy has the upper hand, and one often gets an appreciable capacity bump as well as smaller frame size for double-stack in .40 vs .45
Just curious on peoples thoughts on my thought process, not trying to start a war... Frankly I've been going back and fourth between switching my P229 to 9mm from .40, or going to a .45.
Mike
"Hot" 9mm seems to be in the 1200-1250 fps range for a 125gr bullet. This puts as at 400-434 ft/lbs of energy
"Hot" 40S&W seems to hit about 1100fps with a 180gr bullet (I had about 2K handloads of these, loaded about 120fps faster than the HST I have) reaching 484ft/lbs of energy
and finally "hot" 45 with a 230gr bullet goes about 950fps and that puts us at 461ft/lbs of energy
Of course there are outliers, especially with brands like Buffalo Bore... which seems to really be pushing it, but these are loads for "heavier bullets" and it would at least seem that .40 in terms of muzzle energy has the upper hand, and one often gets an appreciable capacity bump as well as smaller frame size for double-stack in .40 vs .45
Just curious on peoples thoughts on my thought process, not trying to start a war... Frankly I've been going back and fourth between switching my P229 to 9mm from .40, or going to a .45.
Mike