A basic question on ammo bullet grain weight - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Alsworld · 04-01-2007, 06:22 PM

Folks,

this a a basic question, but one I'm not afraid to ask. What is the advantage of a lighter weight grain bullet over the heavier grain besides velosity?

Here is where I am coming from. I bought a .45 ACP 4" Service for self defense (home use, although working ccw as well). Home defense is the primary use. To me, a "big" .45 with a big bullet (230 gr) seems perfect for what I need of a defensive weapon. Although arguable, the knockdown power of this round (with a good center mass shot) seems exactly what I want, but I must ask about the lighter grain ammo and the +P rounds.

FWIW, nowhere in my house will I ever have over a 15 yard shot. I know the 230gr is a slower shot, but with neighbors in somewhat close proximity (through multiple walls and brick siding for us all with space in between houses), this seems to be my round of choice. I have no reason to think otherwise, and it's what I practice at the range, but I had to ask what people see in lighter rounds such as 165 grain rounds in the 45 caliber? What is the purpose? Longer shot accuracy?

Seems a basic question but I really don't know for sure. Thought I would rather ask the dumb question than pretend to know.

FWIW, currently running HydraShok 230 gr hollow points for home defense, although looking at Gold Dot in the future. I have only shot 230 grain ammo.

Your thoughts and education?

Frostyeyes · 04-01-2007, 06:37 PM

you about nailed it , greater velocity equals a little bit more of energy on the target and slightly more accurate father downrange, and although I personally don't care for the Federal Hydro shok it's not a BAD round, I do like Federals new HST round and you can never go wrong with Gold Dot's. I have found that some of my 1911's like the lighter bullets better but for HD an inch or so isnt gonna matter as long as your in COM area. My .02 worth

fredj338 · 04-02-2007, 05:24 PM

A lighter bullet can be driven faster as you know. This is often an advantage to expansion, especially from shorter bbls. Todays bullets are better & often still expand well on impact vel. below 800fps, but I still like impact vel. over 900fps. The light wt. bullets often recoil less too, again, from a shorter bbl. this can help w/ follow up shots. You don't have to give up penetration either. The Hornady 200grXTP for expample expands to 65caliber & out penetrates most 230grJHP I have tried. At 900fps, recoil is very managable, even from my short bbl. OM.

Tomcat088 · 04-02-2007, 06:19 PM

I wanted to point out to you that if you miss, both bullets will most likely pass through all the walls into your house and possibly into the neighbors house. If one of you owns a brick home, then the bullet will most likely be contained, but if not, then either bullet will pass through. Check out some of the tests on box of truth, they do some tests on walls and different materials with different calibers. It's not scientific, but it definately will give you some ideas about things. Also realize that many times the heavier bullets (230 grainers) are the deeper penetrating rounds.

Alsworld · 04-02-2007, 07:25 PM

Thank you all for the extremely informative answers. I actually learned quite a bit and appreciate your responses.

Yes I, and all of my neighbors have brick homes, but of course we all have windows as well. They don't stop bullets much, especially in the .45 caliber round. Fortunately, there is some distance in between us all that helps should I have a bad day and have to pull a weapon in self defense.

I had a spooky night years ago when we lived in this town (different house and neighborhood). I was ill prepared for the guy trying to break down my front door and get inside. My smaller pistol was locked (trigger lock) inside of another locked gun case. That was on one side of my house. My keys were in the opposite direction of the house, it was around 3:30 a.m. and adrenaline flowed freely as I awoke to the ruckus and then realized how unprepared I was. Too late. This time around here in Pensacola, I am now prepared and hope I don't have to ever pull it under those circumstances.

There is more to that story, but maybe I'll post it under a different section.

Great responses!

04-01-2007, 06:22 PM	#1
Alsworld XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 39	A basic question on ammo bullet grain weight Folks, this a a basic question, but one I'm not afraid to ask. What is the advantage of a lighter weight grain bullet over the heavier grain besides velosity? Here is where I am coming from. I bought a .45 ACP 4" Service for self defense (home use, although working ccw as well). Home defense is the primary use. To me, a "big" .45 with a big bullet (230 gr) seems perfect for what I need of a defensive weapon. Although arguable, the knockdown power of this round (with a good center mass shot) seems exactly what I want, but I must ask about the lighter grain ammo and the +P rounds. FWIW, nowhere in my house will I ever have over a 15 yard shot. I know the 230gr is a slower shot, but with neighbors in somewhat close proximity (through multiple walls and brick siding for us all with space in between houses), this seems to be my round of choice. I have no reason to think otherwise, and it's what I practice at the range, but I had to ask what people see in lighter rounds such as 165 grain rounds in the 45 caliber? What is the purpose? Longer shot accuracy? Seems a basic question but I really don't know for sure. Thought I would rather ask the dumb question than pretend to know. FWIW, currently running HydraShok 230 gr hollow points for home defense, although looking at Gold Dot in the future. I have only shot 230 grain ammo. Your thoughts and education?

04-01-2007, 06:37 PM	#2
Frostyeyes XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Livonia Michigan Posts: 888	you about nailed it , greater velocity equals a little bit more of energy on the target and slightly more accurate father downrange, and although I personally don't care for the Federal Hydro shok it's not a BAD round, I do like Federals new HST round and you can never go wrong with Gold Dot's. I have found that some of my 1911's like the lighter bullets better but for HD an inch or so isnt gonna matter as long as your in COM area. My .02 worth __________________ Gun Control: What a Long Strange Trip It\'s Been

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-02-2007, 05:24 PM	#3
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,162	A lighter bullet can be driven faster as you know. This is often an advantage to expansion, especially from shorter bbls. Todays bullets are better & often still expand well on impact vel. below 800fps, but I still like impact vel. over 900fps. The light wt. bullets often recoil less too, again, from a shorter bbl. this can help w/ follow up shots. You don't have to give up penetration either. The Hornady 200grXTP for expample expands to 65caliber & out penetrates most 230grJHP I have tried. At 900fps, recoil is very managable, even from my short bbl. OM.

04-02-2007, 06:19 PM	#4
Tomcat088 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 687	I wanted to point out to you that if you miss, both bullets will most likely pass through all the walls into your house and possibly into the neighbors house. If one of you owns a brick home, then the bullet will most likely be contained, but if not, then either bullet will pass through. Check out some of the tests on box of truth, they do some tests on walls and different materials with different calibers. It's not scientific, but it definately will give you some ideas about things. Also realize that many times the heavier bullets (230 grainers) are the deeper penetrating rounds.

04-02-2007, 07:25 PM	#5
Alsworld XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 39	Thank you all for the extremely informative answers. I actually learned quite a bit and appreciate your responses. Yes I, and all of my neighbors have brick homes, but of course we all have windows as well. They don't stop bullets much, especially in the .45 caliber round. Fortunately, there is some distance in between us all that helps should I have a bad day and have to pull a weapon in self defense. I had a spooky night years ago when we lived in this town (different house and neighborhood). I was ill prepared for the guy trying to break down my front door and get inside. My smaller pistol was locked (trigger lock) inside of another locked gun case. That was on one side of my house. My keys were in the opposite direction of the house, it was around 3:30 a.m. and adrenaline flowed freely as I awoke to the ruckus and *then* realized how unprepared I was. Too late. This time around here in Pensacola, I am now prepared and hope I don't have to ever pull it under those circumstances. There is more to that story, but maybe I'll post it under a different section. Great responses!