Caliber size wound effects on the human body

The following video was originally produced for a medical conference. It shows a 60 liter bottle (132 pounds) being shot by different calibers.

http://youtu.be/Cz8b3gMwld4

The 9mm produces a small hole which the water leaks out of, however, the jug is not moved. The 357 Magnum seems to have more effect on the jug but not by much. A burst of 9mm fire from an MP5 rips the jug apart. One round from an AK47 makes the jug jump several inches off the ground causing the water to shoot out the hole created. A burst from the AK47 is an impressive display causing the jug to literally explode. The 5.56mm doesnt cause nearly the same effect. The 50 caliber is the most impressive causing the jug to explode and moving it a few feet.

For home defense I would have to say the AK47 is probably the best choice. It is a practical rifle which seemed to have a good effect on the jug. I did notice the difference between the 357 and the 9mm, but the difference was not so great in my opinion. A 3-5 shot burst with +p+ 9mm will really intensify the effect whereas one round does not move the jug.

One might look at this and conclude the 9mm is not an effective round, however, it is much easier to fire off a burst from the 9mm pistol then it is with the 357 revolver. There doesnt appear to be a lot of difference on the jug between the 9mm and 357, but there is a great difference with a burst of fire with hot 9mm.

So if I was going to choose a self defense pistol based on this video I would go with a full sized high capacity 9mm loaded with +p+ rounds and focus on 3 shot bursts in training. In rifle calibers I believe the AK47 is the winner.

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What is your favorite caliber? Wrote a detailed review of mine

I know this is going piss-off many readers but before moving on to your other favorite firearm post take a deep breath and continue reading. Keep in mind I am not saying the 44 Magnum is perfect or best suited for a firefight, the best range cartridge or even the best hunting round. But what I am saying is paired with the right handgun or carbine the 44 Magnum is the most versatile cartridge known to man.

Plinking, Target Practice

The Remington 44 Magnum is not often a round one thinks of when headed to the range for a fun day of plinking, most often than not most are thinking of the 22LR. My handloaded 44 Special +P 240gr jacket bullet loaded with 8.5 grains of Hodgdon Universal has become one of my most favorite rounds for plinking and poking holes in paper, I would even trust them to the self defense role against the 2 legged predator especially in the right handgun. During this test this round proved to be very consistent and accurate. It even proved to be soft recoiling in the S&W 629 Performance Center 7.5in barrel revolver, yet everyone else on the range knew I was firing off something with substantial power, but not causing pain to the palm of my hands. Of all the handguns which accompanied me on this trip the S&W 629 Light Magnum Hunter Performance Center revolver proved to be the most accurate and the one I would prefer for any range use, it managed a 1 1/4 inch group at 25 yards.

Make and Model
Barrel Length

Ammunition
Hi

Lo

Average

Extreme Spread

Barrel Cylinder Gap

S&W 629-4 Performance Center
7.5in Ported

Ultramax Match 240gr Semi Wad Cutter
1186

1170

1181

16

0.006

Reloads 8.5grains of Universal/Winchester LP Primer
1084

1031

1059

53

Reloads 18.5grains of 2400
1333

1321

1325

12

Join me over at Day At The Range | Always On Target for the rest of the review and how I put a number of 44 Magnum Revolvers to the test. Leave comments and let me know what your favorite caliber is or what you believe to be the most versatile and why. If nothing more this proved to be in the top 5 of experiences I have had on the range. Thank you Elmer Keith.

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Coyote Caliber

I found that in general, I've not seen coyotes all that far out where long shots are really important. So far, my .223 has been plenty good. But, if there is a real expectation of shots beyond 250 to 300 yards, any of the .22 centerfire magnums or a .243 would do just fine. __________________
You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

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Optimum pocket pistol caliber: 380? 9mm? 357 Sig? 40? 45?

I get the feeling the OP is referring to a hypothetical balance between stopping power and capacity. Is 5 .45s "more" than 7 9mms, or the opposite, etc.

There are many metrics you could use to do this, total bullet weight in the gun, total kinetic energy of all the rounds combined, total mass*velocity*numberRounds, etc etc. All of them would lead to different, and probably useless, conclusions.

Ultimately this is a caliber question, and they all stop the same above .380. So the answer is 9mm.

If you bring concealment into it, then it becomes a personal question. If you can conceal a CM9, 9mm. If you can't, .380.

__________________
1. Mindset
2. Tactics
3. Skill
4. Equipment

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30 caliber coyote rifle

Any of those cartridges will work fine with light bullets with the right twist riflings. I like my 7mm mag with 100g Hornedy V-max's. Talk about flat shooting. Wow.

Boomer

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The number one cause of death in the 20th century.
290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. In the U.S sticks kill twice as many people a year as guns. Doctor malpractice kills 12 times as many people a year as people with guns do.

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.60 Swaged Lead Balls, .62 caliber

3 boxes of 50 each for trade. Need 9MM bullets and plated lead shot. Made by Buffalo Bullet Co. Look like nice stuff. Might trade for just about anything shooting related of quality. Don't be afraid to ask.

Elk Grove California

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"A gun is like a parachute.

If you need one, and don't have one,

you'll probably never need one again!"

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Caliber specific powder funnel?

Saturn funnels. You can put on top of case and it will not tip the case over. Fits very nice over case mouth. No more leaked powder.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/480995/satern-powder-funnel-22-caliber-aluminum-and-brass

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BTX (xtp) Universal Multi Caliber Notch Die Caliber Range

I thought I'd ask you swaggers and not bother BT Sniper so he could keep working on your projects.

This multicaliber Notch die has me intrigued; I'm looking for several low velocity expansion solutions.

What is the caliber range?

Will it handle 224? Smaller?

I saw that it will handle .500, but can it handle .510?

Thanks for any input.

His notching die is used in conjunction with a shell holder. I don't know how you could put a derimmed 22LR case in a shell holder to notch it. Other than that, I imagine any case used with a shell holder would work. Bigger than 50, I can't vouch for. Never done it before.

"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country..." (James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434 [June 8, 1789]) Once the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
Benjamin Franklin

Boolit Master Join DateMar 2013Posts249

what does the notching insert look like?

If I remember I'll take a pic tonight.

"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country..." (James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434 [June 8, 1789]) Once the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
Benjamin Franklin

Boolit Master Join DateMar 2013Posts249

is it basically an insert that has triangular teeth on it? 6 teeth that have the edges sharpened/filed so they score the outside of the case and form it inward a little?

Here's the die and a piece of 9mm.

"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country..." (James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434 [June 8, 1789]) Once the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
Benjamin Franklin

Pretty sure mine is solid and not hollow in the middle like yours

Boolit Master Join DateMar 2013Posts249

thanks for the pic lizard, gotta make me one of those notching dies

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Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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Best 30 to 40 caliber rifle to use with cast boolits for big game

Boolit Mold Join DateApr 2013LocationPennsylvaniaPosts18

I will be buying a new rifle in the near future in 30 to 40 Caliber. My intent is to use 100% cast for said rifle. Opinions wanted on rifles that work very well with cast. I will be using this for mainly deer and Bear so I will need something with enough knock down power for the game mentioned. Please mention barrel lengths, twist rates etc... Looking forward to hearing from you guys as to what works. Thanks...

Nothing wrong with a 30-06, 30-30, 358 Winchester, 35 Whelen, 8mm Mauser, 38-55, 375 H&H

All of those can and will shoot cast just as well as jaxeted bullets.

I went with 375 H&H Mag ... Not that I plan in getting rid of rifle ... Glad I have it, but brass is pricey?

Brass availability is a resource that "wears out"!

The .358 has a good sized boolit, and brass is relatively available, or can be made from .308

Read this thread http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?175095-358-Winchester-Cast-Make-Sense

Do you have a action preference?

Shawn

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"I am a man of peace, but if war comes to my door it will find me home."

Winston Churchill

My personal favorite if you're leaning towards a levergun is a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. Rifles aren't very common and for new cases you're limited to Winchester unless you stumble across some Remingtons. Not a real issue, I just prefer the Remington case. I use the Ranch Dog 359-190 mould; out of production but quite possibly available from Lee or NOE. A better choice for a levergun may be the 375 Winchester or .38-55. I don't have any CB experience with either but I've hunted with the .375 in a Winchester Big Bore with j-words and it is a solid performer. Cases should be easier to find or make and there are some really good 38 caliber moulds in use around here. For a sentimental favorite I like my 94 in .32 Winchester Special loaded up with the RD 323-170. It's not a serious hunting rifle for me but it certainly could be.
For a bolt gun the 358 Winchester or 35 Whelen would be my choice for short and long actions, respectively. No hands on expereince with either but I've been studying on them a bit lately. Cases are no problem, the Winchester can be made from .308's and the Whelen from .30-06's, IIRC. I'm considering reboring a shot-out .30-06 to 35 Whelen, after a trip to JESS all I'll need is a set of dies.

Life Member NRA, TSRA
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2006LocationMissouri OzarksPosts535

.405 Winchester. Easier on brass than the .375 H&H.

Best,
Mike

NRA Life Member
Remember Ira Hayes

Have a Marlin 375, C Sharps 38-55 & a 35 Whelen built on a 1909 argi action. If I had to pick one it would be the Whelen for anything I would want to hunt.

Gun control 1ST ROUND ON TARGET.

35 whelen 24" tube 1/14 twist 200gr cast boolit 2400fps will thump anything out to 200yds.

I like the 45-70 myself but in lever guns the 30-30 is good too. you can load a nice heavy boolit for big game and load down for fun and varmits.

if you're going bolt a 308 or 30-06 give a good choice of boolit weights.

for bear i think of my 45-70 as a 12ga. with brass shells

what I hand-load; 45 acp; 223 rem(5.56mm); 22-250 rem; 243 win; 30-30 win; 308 win; 45-70 gov.
on the list to start Loading; 9 mm; 270 win; 30-06 springfield; 222 rem

"You might be a gun nut if you load 45-70 on a progressive press" -HICKOK45<- was he talking about me!?!

---
Si vis pacem, para bellum

Boolit Mold Join DateMay 2009LocationOmaha NEPosts13

All catridges listed above are good choices but here is one of my top favorites: 38-55 WCF, 255 FN, 950 to 1,850 fps; Easy to cartridge to load and my rifles are not finicky about loads everything shoots well in them.
You can find NIB 30+ year old guns that are $500 less than the New Winchesters that are made in Japan. (Oliver F Winchester, Chief Crazy Horse, Legendary Frontiersmen, or Texas Sequential (this one is kind of rare))

I was horrified a few years ago shooting while my 38-55’s and 30-30’s in low light. I had trouble seeing my front sight and came up with an excuse for another rifle.

I made a wild cat based on the 300 WSM necked to .416 with a super long neck kind of looks like a 577-450 Martini; my goal was a cast only gun for dark timber big game. It is on a SS REM M SEVEN, 20" bbl, 1:18 Twist, 1-3X scope, HS ultralight stock; 315 gr - 1,300 to 2,300 fps & 400 gr 1,225 to 2,050 fps; I could go faster but it begins to hurt shooting off the bench once the 400's are above 1,700 fps.

Another favorite of mine is the 350 Rem Mag but I would probably recomend a 358 Win or 35 Whelen as you could have a 308 or 30/06 rebored for less than a new bbl.

My father-in-law has a Sako M85 in 338 Federal and the LEE 339-220 RN's shoot very well it it from Trailboss loads to full loads of 4064.

Good Luck!

Considering the times, my choice is a .30. A .30-30 will drive a 175 grain paper patched or very hard grease groove bullet to 2200 fps. If that is not enough whomp, a .30-06 will push a 220 bullet 2400+. Easy on powder and lead, plentiful brass and will kill anything that walks this half of the world.

i have a 30-06 that is my go to hunting rifle for big game , if i ever get another , without selling mine ill get a
.35 whelen , for (pigs and smaller ) medium game my sks with a 175 gr flat nose boolit @ 1700fps, and 30-06 cases can be resized/reloaded to shoot the .35 whelen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.35_Whelen

Boolit Mold Join DateApr 2013LocationPennsylvaniaPosts18

I am surprised no one is mentioning the 444 Marlin. Thought that would be a popular choice?

I am surprised no one is mentioning the 444 Marlin. Thought that would be a popular choice?Well ... it is a tad bigger than the .40 requested ...

The 32 Special is a necked up 30/30 ... for another option ...

Shawn

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"I am a man of peace, but if war comes to my door it will find me home."

Winston Churchill

I think a 358 Win or 35 Whelen is about ideal. Good bullet weight, good diameter unexpanded, able to get good velocity. Makes for a very good 200 yard deer/bear gun with cast.

That said, I use a 45-70 and 375 H&H for my hunting needs these days. 45-70 is a hammer up close, the 375 just reaches out there easier due to higher intal velocity with reasonable recoil.

I would exclude the 32-20, 38x40 and the 7.62x39 and take on almost any other rifle cartridge.

[The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

Gotta love a question that basically has no wrong answers.

30-30, .308, 30-06, 7.65X53, 32SPCL, 8X57, 35REM, 358WIN, 35Whelen, 9X57....... etc, etc, etc........Just PICK ONE and go kill something.

"Happiness is a target rich environment"

Boolit Master Join DateNov 2006Posts933

I'll take a .356 Win. in a levergun #1, the .358 W. and 358 Whelen for boltguns, then a 38/55.....these are also the most cast bullet friendly of the small bores.

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22 caliber Hornady gas checks in stock at Midway

Boolit Buddy Join DateSep 2011Posts64

Greetings shooters,

I've been trying for several months to find some 22 cal gas checks to experiment with some reloads for my AR. Every place I've tried has been out of stock. Yesterday I was cruising the MidwayUsa site and they had Hornady 22 gas checks in stock. I ordered a thousand this morning. If anyone else needs the 22 caliber gas checks you can order them now.

best wishes- oldandslow

Thanks, oldandslow! I just ordered some.

Boolit Bub Join DateMar 2013LocationBoise, Id.Posts23

Thanks, I will check this out.

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.32 Caliber day at the range today :)

Well went to the range today, broke out the 686, 610 and my grandpa's 32-20, .32 SWL and little .32 acp German Mauser

The little .32 ACP I had 3 rounds to try from the left,
the 60g Hornady XTP sized .311 with 2.2 grs of WW231 seated deep .915
the 71g REM FMJ sized .312 with 2.2grs of WW231 seated .960
the RCBS .32-77gr weight 79grs with 1.9 grs of WW231 seated very deep .905 (to cycle).
BEST thing all three rounds cycled great and I had no failures to feed and no jams the German Mausers are cool.

The next one is my 32-20 and .32 SWL both AA#5 4.6 and 3.5 respectiviely with the RCBS 32-098-SWC what a great litte bullet. The AA#5 powder had a bit of unbrunt powder even with a lite charge, gonna which to WW231 next time.

That's fantastic. If I was to shoot handguns then .32 would be my choice. Cheap to run, mild to shoot.

Cheers from New Zealand

Jeff.

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30 caliber mold

Boolit Master Join DateJul 2009Locationwestern Pa,Posts185

I was thinking of adding another 30 cal mold, I have a Lyman 170 grain I have taken 3 white tail deer with this bullet in a Marlin 336 in 30-30, I have used these bullets in modern sporting rifles in 308 and 3006 with very good results on paper. I bought two Mausers one in 308 and another in 3006, I would also like to use a cast bullet for PA, Black Bear. I was thinking a 200-grain bullet. Would the 200 Grain be a good choice for the Mausers and bear.

The 311284 is one of my best. I size .302 and patch back up. Jacketed accuracy and velocity that way.

45 AUTO! Because having to shoot someone twice is just silly!

Yes, the 200 gr bullet (311284 or 311299) would be good for bear if you cast it of the correct alloy for expansion w/o excessive weight loss....but then, so would the Lyman 311041..........

Might consider pdawg's advice for bear with a .30 cal cast bullet though.

Larry Gibson

45 AUTO! Because having to shoot someone twice is just silly!

Boolit Master Join DateJul 2009Locationwestern Pa,Posts185

Thank you, I felt the 200-grain would be an excellent bear bullet, just not sure how the Mausers would shoot with the heavier bullets. My Mid-way USA catalog only lists a 200-grain bullet from Lyman, were as Mid-south list the heavier 210-grain Lyman. I will order the Lyman 210 grain. From Mid –south. I think I would like to use the heavier bullet, it should have a little better penetration. In my Lyman 170 grain for Deer I have been using WW and a small amount of 50/50 for alloy. Bullets are GC and pushed with IMR-3031. This has been a very effective bullet and load for Deer.

Boolit Master Join DateMar 2013Posts318

any shoot the Lyman 311291, 170gr?

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M1 30 Caliber Ammo

A friend called me today and said that he has 1000 rounds of military 30 caliber ammo in 2 sealed cans. Any idea what they might be worth?

He nor I have a 30 caliber gun.

Maybe on Tuesday he will get me some pictures of the cans.

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.22 Caliber Jacket Trim Die

Who would be interested in a .224 caliber jacket trim die? .............. U.P. North
What lengths from shortest to longest on the jackets would need to be trimmed?
You can also post your interest at this thread in the Vendor Sponsor section: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?193746-Jacket-Tim-Dies

Last edited by u.p. north; 04-12-2013 at 07:46 PM.

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.30 caliber Boolit design

What I struggle with most when designing a boolit is the lube groove configuration and I'm wondering if there's been any recent research regarding this aspect of boolit design specifically for .30 caliber (or other small bore; i.e., .22"-.32") rifles. I want to get a couple high BC (approx. .400) molds cut for my '06, the first one shall be a PB design to be followed by a similar one with a gas check. The .400 BC requirement isn't all that difficult with noses in the 7/16" long neighborhood, with .190" meplats as long as the boolit weight is in the 190-200 grain range (about 17/16" overall length). What I'm having trouble with is "guessing" whether short grooves and/or driving bands are better than long ones. I don't want a bore riding design so I've decided on a long secant ogive sitting on top of at least 60% bearing surface.

MJ

Nah, it's not that complicated.

OK, here's another way to approach it... how much lube should a rifle boolit carry? A half grain? More? Less? Let's assume one has already determined their ultimate boolit lube.

MJ

I just shoot em', I don't design them.

I leave that to smart folks like you.

Ben

If you look at the Lee 230gr mold that Midway sells this may help you out. It is a tumble lube design and I have fired it with and without a gas check with no leading. It does not hold much lube.

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