Thread: Best Home Defense HandGun Cartridge

There's no such thing as a "spread" of shot in ten feet anyway.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

There's no such thing as a "spread" of shot in ten feet anyway.

True in a smooth bore but not a rifled barrel.

the rifling imparts a spin to the shot load and creates the same sort of force that opens a cast net when thrown

from my 357, at 10 feet, I got 3-4 foot patterns with a mixture of #6 and #9 shot

great snake round, horrible for people

Yeah I think with even a cylinder bore (no choke), the spread is only about 20" at around 30 ft. So you still have to aim.

GW reminded me of something ---any thoughts on "The Judge" by Taurus ---I think it can shoot 45 Long Colt and/or .410 shells.


Justin

I know the 45 LC to be a very good cartridge indeed.
I have somewhat less respect for the 410, although it might not be too bad loaded in TT or BB, but still wouldn't be a super killer.

it might not be a bad weapon if you were, say, taking a hike and might want to shoot a squirrel, or maybe a rabbit, and stil have a few "heavy hitters" for the bigger critters.

as far as ballistics, a 45 LC should push a 240 gr bullet at around 850 fps
this is every bit the performance level of the highly regarded 45 acp and the LC offers a wider range of bullet choices and weights

if you feel the need for speed, and if you verify from some reputable source that this particular revolver can handle the pressures generated,
there is "hotrod" ammo available for the 45LC designed for the T/C and Ruger revolvers.

this stuff will launch the same 240 gr bullet at more like 1150 fps

and will belch out a 300 gr (MORE than enough for anything you have in the bayou) at around 825fps

that 240 at 1100 should be sufficient for deer, hog, whatever

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Yeah I think with even a cylinder bore (no choke), the spread is only about 20" at around 30 ft. So you still have to aim.

GW reminded me of something ---any thoughts on "The Judge" by Taurus ---I think it can shoot 45 Long Colt and/or .410 shells.


Justin

I just read an article about the Judge last month. My thoughts: Me want bad
It will handle the higher pressure cartridges for the Ruger too I think. Though it is a little big for CCW and a little short barreled for home defense I think it would be and excellent outback/wilderness gun.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I think it would be and excellent outback/wilderness gun.

Didn't someone already say that?

Yeah GW --I know you have to be careful with high pressure loads and I think I read somewhere that high pressure loads in 45 LC are pretty formidable but you have to be particularly careful with your choice of pistols. I don't know if "the judge" can handle these loads or not -- .

But I think they advertise the judge as an excellent car gun -- .410 and close range might be a pretty good combo.

http://www.downrange.tv/player.htm?b...tid=1119219330

well,

it's not that the weapon absolutely wouldn't take the high pressure rounds

for example

the SAAMI MAP (max average pressure) for the 9mm Luger is 35,000 psi

my duty ammo (factory loaded) generates 42,500 psi

it just beats the gun up and will EVENTUALLY destroy it, but not in 10 or 20 rounds

probably not even in 200- 400 rounds, although you might start seeing signs at this point. (top strap cutting, increase in cylinder gap, loose lock up of the cylinder, ect)

there would be no reason why you would need high pressure rounds anyway, whether the gun could take them or not

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

well,

it's not that the weapon absolutely wouldn't take the high pressure rounds

for example

the SAAMI MAP (max average pressure) for the 9mm Luger is 35,000 psi

my duty ammo (factory loaded) generates 42,500 psi

it just beats the gun up and will EVENTUALLY destroy it, but not in 10 or 20 rounds

probably not even in 200- 400 rounds, although you might start seeing signs at this point. (top strap cutting, increase in cylinder gap, loose lock up of the cylinder, ect)

there would be no reason why you would need high pressure rounds anyway, whether the gun could take them or not

Makes sense to me ---

thanks for the info

jaegerhund,

Being one who is into the nostalgia of firearms, my choice is a 5 1/2" barrel Colt Single Action Army in .45 Colt. For me, that pistol points like my finger and that's important. Its cartridges are loaded with black powder and 250 grain lead bullets. With the clouds of sulphurous smoke and excellent muzzle flash, were I to need to use it, I want the bad guys to know that they had just opened the doors to hell.

Bruce