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 03-11-2009, 06:23 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 172 |  9mm & .40 = Supersonic - .45 = Subsonic
I was wondering why it that most standard 9mm and .40 ammo is supersonic but standard .45 ammo is subsonic... I just can't wrap my head around the concept. Anyone know the reason why? __________________
Texas is where it's at!
Cheers,
Angry | 
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| 03-11-2009, 06:26 PM | #2 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
The .45 ACP is a heavier bullet than the other two and it doesn't carry much more powder in the shell.
The speed of sound is 1080 ft/sec at sea level. .45 ACP can be loaded to +P+ with a 185 gr. bullet to muzzle velocities in excess of 1200 ft/sec. Not all .45 ACP loads are subsonic.
Last edited by matt g; 03-11-2009 at 06:29 PM. | |
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| 03-11-2009, 06:26 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,350 |
It's just the original design of the .45 ACP round. The round was designed a long time ago, and it was designed to be a powerhouse. That's why it's slow in comparison to the other common pistol rounds out there. __________________ "TRAIN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, NOT WITH WHAT YOU WISH YOU HAVE." | |
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| 03-11-2009, 06:31 PM | #4 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
Think of it like this...
Bullet velocity OVER the speed of sound is roughly 1100 feet per second (750 mph) making it SUPER sonic.
.45 ACP travels at about 850-900 feet per second.
Now, if you take all three rounds into equal material, you will see that speed does not always equate to overall damage...
Hence the reason the .45ACP was handed down from John Browning himself as THE bullet of choice. Subsonic AND packs a hell of a whallop.
JD __________________ "as for my Sword & Spear we will serve the throne, but NEVER that man who sits upon it" - Achilles - Warrior of Warriors
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctherock
Dillinger didn't have to let me try Cammenga Mags before I bought them; but he is a man of great character & a man who's word to me now is a good as gold. If he recommends it I know its good stuff.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! | |
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| 03-11-2009, 06:39 PM | #5 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
JD has a good point. Would you rather be hit by a fully loaded Mack truck at 35, or a Honda CBR at 60? | |
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| 03-11-2009, 07:10 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 172 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dillinger
Think of it like this...
Bullet velocity OVER the speed of sound is roughly 1100 feet per second (750 mph) making it SUPER sonic.
.45 ACP travels at about 850-900 feet per second.
Now, if you take all three rounds into equal material, you will see that speed does not always equate to overall damage...
Hence the reason the .45ACP was handed down from John Browning himself as THE bullet of choice. Subsonic AND packs a hell of a whallop.
JD
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I understand the physics. But I don't understand the whole '185 gr. bullet'... is that indicative of the bullet mass? How do you determine the approximate powder load for different ammo? __________________
Texas is where it's at!
Cheers,
Angry | |
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| 03-11-2009, 07:15 PM | #7 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
"There are 252.7 grains in one cubic inch of water. To calculate the total bullet weight in grains, the bullet volume, in cubic inches, is multiplied by the specific gravity value, and then by 252.7. The product is bullet weight in grains. "
Lilja Rifles has a great page dedicated to this study and understanding of what and how. It's very informative.
As to determining what load to use behind what bullet, that is WELL beyond my meager understanding, that is why I use reloading manuals. 
JD __________________ "as for my Sword & Spear we will serve the throne, but NEVER that man who sits upon it" - Achilles - Warrior of Warriors
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctherock
Dillinger didn't have to let me try Cammenga Mags before I bought them; but he is a man of great character & a man who's word to me now is a good as gold. If he recommends it I know its good stuff.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! | |
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| 03-11-2009, 07:17 PM | #8 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
Yes, 185 grain is the bullet weight.
There are tables for handloading. The indicate what bullet weight and what amount of which type of powder to use to get a given muzzle energy and velocity. | |
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| 03-11-2009, 08:43 PM | #9 | Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 36 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt g
JD has a good point. Would you rather be hit by a fully loaded Mack truck at 35, or a Honda CBR at 60?
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If you are walking down the road at the time, it's a moot point. You would be dead either way. | |
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| 03-12-2009, 07:40 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 172 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by 8000F
If you are walking down the road at the time, it's a moot point. You would be dead either way.
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That's what I was thinking... __________________
Texas is where it's at!
Cheers,
Angry | |
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