.40 S&W use in competition... - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jetsiphon · 12-09-2005, 08:46 PM

Why is .40 so popular in competition? I don't follow the games and I'm not 100% sure about the types of games, just seems that .40 has taken a big role in the shooting sports.

I know I've read places that the .40 is chosen over the .45 due to capacity, but 9mm has a greater capacity.

I'm missing the big picture, someone help me out.

j2fast · 12-09-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetsiphon

Why is .40 so popular in competition? I don't follow the games and I'm not 100% sure about the types of games, just seems that .40 has taken a big role in the shooting sports.

I know I've read places that the .40 is chosen over the .45 due to capacity, but 9mm has a greater capacity.

I'm missing the big picture, someone help me out.

In USPSA/IPSC scoring is by power factor in most disvions (hits by major power factor loads score more points) and in one of the most popular division the Limited division only .40 and larger can shoot major power factor loads. So in this case capacity wins out for most. Folks are getting in the neighborhood of 18 rounds of .40 in a 1911 wide body. Even though you can get some extra rounds of 9MM being scored minor (less points) can't normally be overcome by those couple of extra rounds.

Also in my case for example I shoot both the Production and Limited 10 divisions with my 40 Tact. I shoot softer loads in Production to complete with the soft shooting 9's and then shoot full power loads in Limited 10 to make major power factor. Two division for the price of one...

Clear as mud??

jetsiphon · 12-09-2005, 10:08 PM

Oh man......

So, is the difference between the major and minor determined in the actual energy of the round?

ampleworks · 12-10-2005, 04:18 AM

Power Factor = bullet weight * velocity / 1000

Power floor is 125, if you don't make this you don't get anything
Minor power factor is 125+
Major power factor is 165+

In all divisions except Open, you need a .400 caliber bullet to claim major PF, else you are scored as minor regardless of if your round can make major or not.

Points breakdown (each hit on target)
Minor:
A 5
B 3
C 3
D 1

Major
A 5
B 4
C 4
D 2

It computes out to be about a 5% difference in the end.

JD McDorce · 12-10-2005, 07:16 AM

-deleted-

jetsiphon · 12-10-2005, 10:37 PM

Wow. I had no idea.

Hank Ellis · 12-12-2005, 07:58 AM

With what you have you can compete in your choice of 3 divisions. Production with the XD-9 service. The Colt Combat .45 will work for Limited-10 and the Single Stack divisions. Visit www.uspsa.org and find a club near you.

mr0w1 · 12-12-2005, 08:32 AM

Is there also not the issue that sometimes the 9 just doesn't have enough energy to put some targets down?

I dunno...just parroting something I've heard said before...

JD McDorce · 12-12-2005, 09:29 AM

-deleted-

ampleworks · 12-12-2005, 12:51 PM

JD pretty much summed it all up for you.

For a C class shooter, you need to have a 5% higher HF to makeup for shooting minor over major (if you're shooting L10 or something that allows major PF scoring). I've not really did the statistics at GM level.

I will say that no one has ever won a championship with minor PF (except Production)

12-09-2005, 08:46 PM	#1
jetsiphon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,192	.40 S&W use in competition... Why is .40 so popular in competition? I don't follow the games and I'm not 100% sure about the types of games, just seems that .40 has taken a big role in the shooting sports. I know I've read places that the .40 is chosen over the .45 due to capacity, but 9mm has a greater capacity. I'm missing the big picture, someone help me out. __________________ XD9 Service Black - XD45 Service Dark Earth 1945 Sistema 1911 - Para Ordnance LTC Steyr M9A1 - Glock 17

12-09-2005, 10:08 PM	#3
jetsiphon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,192	Oh man...... So, is the difference between the major and minor determined in the actual energy of the round? __________________ XD9 Service Black - XD45 Service Dark Earth 1945 Sistema 1911 - Para Ordnance LTC Steyr M9A1 - Glock 17

12-10-2005, 04:18 AM	#4
ampleworks XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Communistic Ohio Posts: 1,159	Power Factor = bullet weight * velocity / 1000 Power floor is 125, if you don't make this you don't get anything Minor power factor is 125+ Major power factor is 165+ In all divisions except Open, you need a .400 caliber bullet to claim major PF, else you are scored as minor regardless of if your round can make major or not. Points breakdown (each hit on target) Minor: A 5 B 3 C 3 D 1 Major A 5 B 4 C 4 D 2 It computes out to be about a 5% difference in the end. __________________ *Ampleworks*

12-10-2005, 10:37 PM	#6
jetsiphon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,192	Wow. I had no idea. __________________ XD9 Service Black - XD45 Service Dark Earth 1945 Sistema 1911 - Para Ordnance LTC Steyr M9A1 - Glock 17

12-12-2005, 07:58 AM	#7
Hank Ellis XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southern Louisiana Posts: 116	Hey jetsiphon, come on out and play. With what you have you can compete in your choice of 3 divisions. Production with the XD-9 service. The Colt Combat .45 will work for Limited-10 and the Single Stack divisions. Visit www.uspsa.org and find a club near you. __________________ A mind is like a parachute, neither functions properly unless fully opened. My name is Hank and I'm an IPSC shooter.

12-10-2005, 07:16 AM	#5
JD McDorce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 1,267	-deleted-

12-12-2005, 08:32 AM	#8
mr0w1 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,525	Is there also not the issue that sometimes the 9 just doesn't have enough energy to put some targets down? I dunno...just parroting something I've heard said before... __________________ guns.freaksho.net - My awesome gun website! More guns than ever! (Last updated: July 24, 2006)

12-12-2005, 09:29 AM	#9
JD McDorce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 1,267	-deleted-

12-12-2005, 12:51 PM	#10
ampleworks XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Communistic Ohio Posts: 1,159	JD pretty much summed it all up for you. For a C class shooter, you need to have a 5% higher HF to makeup for shooting minor over major (if you're shooting L10 or something that allows major PF scoring). I've not really did the statistics at GM level. I will say that no one has ever won a championship with minor PF (except Production) __________________ *Ampleworks*

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