.45 ACP max muzzle energy?

T

Tucker 1371

New member
Saw another post and I was curious, what .45 ACP loads deliver the most ft-lbs at the muzzle of a 5" bbl? Most for FMJ? For JHP/Vmax/Other defensive rounds?

Thanks, y'all have a good one, Merry Christmas!
 
M

Mystro

New member
Speer Gold Dot 200jhp +p is my round of choice with 518 ft-lbs. it's not abusive on the guns but very powerfull. I am 10mm guy and this round is damn impressive for a 45acp.
 
E

Edward429451

Moderator
The formula for calculating energy is pretty simple. All you need is the bullet weight and muzzle velocity. It is:

Velocity X Velocity X Wt of the bullet in grains / 450240

For example a 230 gr bullet at 850 FPS.

850 X 850 X 230 / 450240 = 369 FT LBS energy.
 
J

jmortimer

Moderator
I don't trust Double Tap's numbers are they have been proven to inflate them. But if that is accurate, that would be top. Both Underwood and Buffalo Bore are close (20 ft lbs) and I know their numbers are good.
 
L

Laz

New member
The 185 grain plus P is, I believe loaded to approx 1150 fps from a 5 inch barrel which would equate to about 543 ft/lbs of energy, about equal power-wise to a 158 or 180 grain .357.
 
A

AZAK

New member
about 543 ft/lbs of energy, about equal power-wise to a 158 or 180 grain .357
Click to expand...

Using Buffalo Bore 180 heavy in .357mag, calculating with the above formula, 1,450x1,450x180/450240=841ftlbs. (Actual fps out of my 6inch Security Six.)

I personally don't go for the hot-rod .45auto ammo. I stick with pretty basic slow and heavy; and never +p. Even in my carry 1911s. Part of the beauty of the .45 auto is that it is a low pressure subsonic round.

If I want more "umpff" I go with the above BB heavy in .357 or use 10mm auto for pistols.

YMMV
 
L

Laz

New member
You're right IMO, AZAK, and I use standard pressure .45s for the most part also. What I was comparing was a 185 grain +P .45 as loaded by Remington compared to a .357 loaded by any of the Big 3. Getting into a load by an ammo "boutique" like Buffalo Bore is another thing altogether. Apples and oranges.
 
R

Rainbow Demon

New member
Reminder that standard .45 ACP cases may not hold up to the more powerful loads.
A friend who hot loaded his 1911 always used cases made for the purpose using either .308 or .30-06 cases cut down to ACP dimensions.
 
M

Mello2u

New member
GSUeagle1089

.45 ACP max muzzle energy?
Click to expand...
While muzzle energy is one measure, do not discount momentum.
You might be surprised to find that the higher energy loads with all their flash and thunder are about as effective as the heavier projectile loads; and all may have similar momentum.

Using 3 buffalo Bore loads as examples:
185gr x 1,150 = 212,750 (543 ft. lbs.)
200gr. x 1,050 = 210,000 (490 ft. lbs.)
230gr x 950 = 218,500 (461 ft. lbs)
 
T

Tucker 1371

New member
Thanks all, looking at getting a Colt 1911 Rail Gun, it'll be my carry gun. Remington 230gr Golden Saber fed pretty dern good through my SA Operator before I had to sell it. Just wondering what all defensive loads might be good to test. I'm more of a rifle guy but I admit I am somewhat obsessed with the 1911.

Mello2u While muzzle energy is one measure, do not discount momentum.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, so what loads penetrate the most?
 
S

simonrichter

New member
The formula for calculating energy is pretty simple. All you need is the bullet weight and muzzle velocity. It is:

Velocity X Velocity X Wt of the bullet in grains / 450240

For example a 230 gr bullet at 850 FPS.

850 X 850 X 230 / 450240 = 369 FT LBS energy.
Click to expand...

...or just switch to the metric system (j) :):

velocity x velocity (m/s) x weight (kg, 1g = 0,001kg) / 2 = Energy (j)
 
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