.45 acp ballistics question?

Question

Just this last Thursday, I purchased another brand new firearm. My third gun in the last two weeks!! (I swear, gun buying is addictive isn't it?) It's a Springfield XD-45 Service model with ambidextrous thumb safety. I was wondering if anyone would know how much velocity and power I would be losing by my selecting the 4" service model over the 5" tactical model?

-Also, I purchased a box of 20 Federal Premium 230 grain Hydra-Shok JHP for this gun. Is this the best stuff, or is there a more powerful round that I can use?

Answer 1

your not losing much velocity, and if you shoot someone or something in self defense i doubt they are going to say "you only shot me with a four inch!" as far as ammo look for federal HST. it is superior to the hydrashok, and less expensive. ammunitiontogo.com carries them in regular and +P, the later giving you more velocity with more recoil.

Answer 2

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most pistol rounds cannot travel enough to expand in a soft target. Get high quality FMJ's for your XD to ensure reliable feeding.

The loss in accuracy and velocity from 5" to 4" are negligible. You'll only lose approximately 30fps per barrel inch.

A fine choice, but I would have saved up for a Sig.

Answer 3

In general, longer barrels do improve the velocities of any cartridge. As previously stated, the amounts may be too miniscule to notice. Here are a few of the better cartridges that are available commercially. -------------------------------------

Corbon 165gr JHP+P cartridges offer up 461 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards

Standard 185gr JHP+P cartridges offer up 446 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards

Remington 185gr round nose lead cartridges offer up 446 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards

Beware that if your gun is not rated for +p ammunition it is dangerous to use it in your firearm.  These ballistics were calculated using a 5" barrel.

Answer 4

You may lose 20, or even more than 50, fps, but you ain't shrinkin' that ball, which is still .451". The reason everybody's saying "a little" is that there isn't much consistency to it. Next time the bug bites and you want to buy a new firearm, buy a chronograph and some reloading equipment instead. You'll never regret it. Then you can do your own research.

Answer 5

I also own this same gun. I have the 4" version but have used the 5 and 3" versions. You will get the best accuracy with the 5" but the 4" is a very close second. Also, the 4" is easier to conceal and a little cooler looking!

Answer 6

With the .45 acp you are talking 'sub-sonic,' that is less than 1,000 fps. especially when you load the heavy 230 grain rounds.  The original ballistics for the .45 acp were like: 875 fps.  I wouldn't even be concerned with a 1" reduction in barrel length as the .45 acp is still a great stopper.

H

Answer 7

Sounds like you have been bitten by the "gun bug"! LoL

Anywho...yes, the 5" barrell "technically" will increase the velocity of the round leaving the firearm. Do I think it is a difference worth worrying about? No.

The Hydra-Shok ammo is great stuff for knock down power. If your interested in "more powerful/better" ammo. Get yourself a reloading manual and an inexpensive "starter kit" reloading press (Lee precision) and a set of dies in the caliber you need...and have some fun. After a few tries you will be making better made ammo than an automated factory.

Be very careful if you start making higher pressure (more propellant) cartridges. Do not exceed the pressure ratings of your firearms.

Have fun!

P.S.

Reloading cuts the cost of going to the shooting range in half..if not more.