From: unislc@unislc.slc.unisys.com (James Warren)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Handgun stopping power. The velocity myth
Date: 27 Jan 93 03:40:27 GMT
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC

#From article <MAILQUEUE-101.930125134913.352@english.as.ua.edu>, by DHORTON@ENGLISH.AS.UA.EDU (David A. Horton):
# Well, I've browsed a few notes on this subject and see that the
# proverbial can of worms has been spilled again.
# 
# One thing I see as central to this argument of "stopping power" is
# the idea of velocity. I am continually hearing comments about "the
# golden bullet is the one with the most velocity...." etc. Well, I'm
# skeptical of the so-called magic bullet that can gurantee a one-shot
# stop, but lets consider what the market of bullets has to offer, and
# what common sense might be able to tell us.
# 
..
# 
# Anyone have anything to add??
# 
Sure, why not.

Penetration is great, but after a while the bullet falls out the other
side and, no matter how much momentum is still available, it stops doing
it's job.  Huge amounts of momentum are great, but only as much as is
transfered to the target.

Let's compare two cartridges: 45/70, 300 gr HP, 1880 fps, 2355 ftlbs
                           220 Swift, 40 gr HP, 4300 fps, 1642 ftlbs

(These are both figures for rifles, but it gives a real world comparison
in which the differences between light/fast bullet compares with
heavy/slow bullet.  The same conclusion, to a point, may be valid for
handgun bullets.  I have used both while hunting and have little doubt how
they would work on a person.)

If you shoot a person (within 25 yds) with the 45/70:
  Brain, spine, heart, etc...very likely a one shot stop.
  Solid hit to non-vital area of the head or torso...very questionable.

If you shoot a person (within 25 yds) with the 220 Swift:
  Brain, spine, heart, etc...instant death.
  Solid hit to non-vital area of the head or torso...instant death.

Now, my feelings for more conventional handguns.  
 1) I feel that you should have just barely enough penetration for the
    bullet to break the skin on the down-range side of the target.
 2) It should use a controlled expansion bullet traveling as fast as 
    possible, within design limitations.

By meeting these requirements it should give a very large wound channel
and enough penetration.  It transfers all of it's energy (or momentum)
to the target.  Any more penetration is worthless.  The same diameter
bullet without expansion will not create as large a wound channel.

If I had to pick a "conventional" handgun load to use for self defense,
it would probably be a .357 Mag with 125 gr Hornady XTP (or similar)
bullets going as fast as I could make them go safely.  .41 mag or .44 mag
with very light, very fast controlled expansion bullets would work fine, 
too, but may give too much penetration with commonly available bullets.
In cold weather, the 44 mag comes into it's own since the bad guy is
likely wearing heavy clothing.

(BTW, I would not hesitate to use handloads for self defense.  I'll worry
about the possible legal problems after I am sure that my family and I
are alive and safe.  Covering my butt, legally speaking, is no excuse for
not using the best possible defense.)