Lighter bullets in short barrels?

[Arkiemike]

OK, here's my take on bullet weight/barrel length.
I have long contended that to get optimum effect from short barrelled pistols, a lighter, faster bullet is warranted. For example, I have a 2" 44 spl revolver and have shot 240, 200, and 185 grain bullets with it. With the heavier bullets the muzzle "flip" is pretty severe, and not as bad with lighter bullets. If you read the reloading manuals, the test barrels are always 10" or longer. Knowing that the velocity will probably NOT allow expansion of a hollow point when shooting a snubbie, why not use lighter, therefor faster bullets.
The lightest bullets I can find for the 44 spl are 185's. I'd like to try some lighter ones.

[nathangdad]

The rotation from the rifling is a critical factor.
Your rifle has a certain rate of twist which provides
the stabilization and thus accuracy for a certain weight
bullet travelling at a certain velocity. You can retain
accuracy within a certain small range of bullet weights and
velocity but once you move past that point either on
the light or heavy side accuracy will fall off dramatically.

I would advise some research on exactly what you wish to shoot in terms of bullet weight and desired velocity.
Then you should contact custom barrel makers or experienced gunsmits as to the barrel you need made for a special purpose.

[samuel]

Light bullets will stabilise in a fast twist but heavy bullets wont stabilise in a slow twist.The faster you can spin them,the better they stabilise.The problem comes when you spin them too fast and they fly apart.The light bullets work great at handgun speeds,often delivering more power than heavy bullets.This is true with your .44 spec..A 180gr jhp can deliver 400ft lbs at 1000fps,while a 240gr lfp has 300ft lbs at 760fps. I dont know of any lighter bullets but it would be intresting to try them. sam.

[ClayMan]

I've pondered this as well. I have decided on going the heavy route with my ammo decision. I have a Taurus 851 snubbie in .38 (+P rated) and I have chosen to go with the 158 grain LSWCHP +P load rather than the lighter 110/125/130 grainers.

Here's a cool article with ballistics data on a .38 snubby Smith...

Pocket Full Of Dynamite

ClayMan

[big boomer]

We have tried this to the wild side by putting pistol bullets in rifles. 32-20 bullets in 30-06, 357 in 35 rem.,8mm lebel revolver in 8x56 Hungarian some times it works great sometimes its a failure but its always fun and interesting, PS 32-20 in the 30-06 are something to see its like sx bullets sometimes the blow up in flight anything hit tends to explode. But back to your thoughts I always used 110 grain in my 38spec. back when you could buy supervel this was my favorite snubby load.

[TXplt]

For the .44 special I'd consider the Cor-Bon DPX (which does a good job expanding even at lower velocities), as well as the Blazer 200gr. with the gold dot. This bullet has a huge hollow point as well.



For my .38, I alternate the Cor-Bon DPX and the Buffalo Bore 158 LSWGC +P's (hot round). I figure this is as good as anything available in the .38.

Product Line Listing

Good luck !

Also, my snubbies are very accurate if I do my part. Worst part is the short sight radius and rudimentary sights.

Nothing against the previous posters, but at least in my case, my 340 PD, my sp-101, my 44 bulldog, my SW 642, and my new smith 40 all have well enough stabilization for the bullet and the intended purpose. I really don't think that bullet stabilization is much of a factor. These guns all are capable of 4 inch inch groups at 50 feet -- not bad for a bellygun. The 3" smith 22 kit gun will shoot 3" groups at the same distance.

[samuel]

In my observations light bullets look good on paper and in balistic jellitin,but when it comes to stopping bad guys heavy bullets stop them better.I came to this conclusion from checking weughts of bullets used in hunting with handguns,but flesh is flesh. sam.