Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns I now own the ULTIMATE backpacker's sidearm

It is when you're comparing two flat-nosed solids of the same caliber. That is the WHOLE point in a heavier bullet. In this particular case, the heavier bullet will also produce the larger wound channel.

Let's not get sidetracked with exaggerated examples.

Increasing projectile weight (SD) or changing geometry/construction affects HOW the work is performed, in both time and distance. Terminal ballistics. Even if you are at the same KE as the lighter faster bullet, there are points of diminishing returns in trading weight for velocity one must identify and concern themselves with. Too heavy and slow being a major one.

Penetration is not the only available metric of the work performed. I clearly understand there needs to be a minimum threshold to be trusted to reaching vitals. If penetration were all that mattered, smaller calibers in lighter weights can easily reach those penetration depths with much less energy expended and operator discomfort (re: recoil and blast - Think 9MM Underwood with a muzzle velocity of 1350 fps and muzzle energy of 465 ft. lbs.).
My example of anti-tank type saboted rounds would not be "exaggerated" as they use KE very efficiently to high success in penetration. Some have been developed and tested in handgun calibers.

The KE equation components matter. The Momentum equation and its components matter. Inertia matters. Bullet geometry and construction matters. The medium being impacted matters, and is probably the biggest variable of all even when one tries to use calibrated material in a controlled laboratory setting. One can't say velocity is "overstated" in the KE equation and then emphasize mass or SD as being any more influential in the overall results. The equations are what they are and have not been disproven.

Understood!

My choice would likely change if I were in AK or in "big bear" country in the lower 48........maybe.

For around here, as much as I love my Mountain Gun, I just can't justify the extra size/weight in my mind. I've never considered my choices "inadequate" based on local parameters.

Now, if I had a couple of your custom rigs, I might carry 'em "just because" .

Semantics

I'll stipulate to "full frame", but would 'argue" that your 329 (scandium at that weight, perhaps?) is geared towards "my" argument. A "standard", all-up, 625 would weigh in closer to 50 oz. if I had to guess.

The first time my wife says anything about her gun going with me on the trail, it'll likely be replaced by something 325(ish). NG, maybe......

its possible that it might work better to hit your target with a 22 LR than miss it with a 44 magnum, thus a 45LC, 45ACP, 44 special, 10mm with hard cast bullets could possibly work if your not Craig from Krypton.

I think "full frame" refers to size not weight but generations of gun writers could be wrong.

Agree that a 329 with 320s is a handful BUT recoil is really not an issue when a bear is trying to get on the horse with you or inside your tent.

With 180s, it's no worse than many large caliber "compact" semi-autos.

Rather have an accurate first shot than spray and pray

The light weight insures it always gets taken. A "better" gun sitting in the safe is about as useful as teats on a boar hog.

Flaves 44 special NG seems about right.

No you (and the writers) are correct.....that was tongue -in-cheek (note the smiley thingie).

I hadn't taken the lightweights into account when I made the initial comment..... forgetful on my part.

George

Yep......though I'd likely roll a ,45 or *gasp* a 10mm version. Oh, schit, I forgot, the 10mm is "inadequate"!

George, seems like for anything we would run into on our side the Mississippi a k frame smith would do everything we would need,

Or even a Glock 40/357 sig

You said the "G" word!

Likely work well west of the Mississippi too!

I've been in enough hairy situations to know that the G word works when needed

Hmm, just noticed, most of you boys never need to worry about anything bigger than a rabid skunk or a 2 legged predator.

No real bears or wolves East of the big muddy (yet).

Some good sized bears is as good as we get....grin.

That's why I generally preface with "around here" or "my needs".

I'll assume (dangerous, I know) that you're in big mountain/big bear country based on your last statement. I'd likely change my criteria a bit were I in your AO.

Yea, there are more than a few bears killed here every year that are over the 600 pound mark....IMO that qualifies as big

I carry that all the time but not where I go backpacking.

Typically.




Dave

I have a 310NG as well but the 396 kicks its ass for a backpacking gun.




Dave

Sigh.......but then I'd have to add on another caliber to the househol. I've been good about consolidation lately!

The G23 or 22 is tough to beat.

Overall.




Dave

Boy this [bleep] gets old...