WHEEL vs HAMMER!...44 Special vs .45 ACP!

Published on December 30, 2022
Duration: 10:44

This video provides a detailed comparison of Hornady Critical Defense .44 Special and .45 ACP ammunition through ballistic gel testing. The .45 ACP demonstrated superior performance with immediate expansion and effective penetration, while the .44 Special failed to expand and exhibited significant tumbling. The testing was conducted by an experienced instructor, highlighting key differences in terminal ballistics.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test comparing Hornady Critical Defense .44 Special and .45 ACP, the .45 ACP (185gr FTX) showed superior terminal performance with immediate expansion and a retained weight of 184.6 grains. The .44 Special (165gr FTX) failed to expand, tumbled, and penetrated deeper.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Range Setup
  2. 00:34Ammunition & Firearm Introduction
  3. 01:40.44 Special Velocity Test
  4. 02:39.45 ACP Velocity Test
  5. 03:13Energy Calculation & Velocity Comparison
  6. 03:45Ballistic Gel Impact - .44 Special
  7. 04:12Ballistic Gel Impact - .45 ACP
  8. 04:43Gel Analysis - Penetration & Wound Channels
  9. 06:34Projectile Analysis - Expansion & Retained Weight
  10. 08:14Conclusion & Performance Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the .44 Special and .45 ACP perform in ballistic gel tests?

The .45 ACP (185gr FTX) demonstrated excellent performance with immediate expansion and a retained weight of 184.6 grains, penetrating 17.5 inches. The .44 Special (165gr FTX) failed to expand, tumbled significantly, and penetrated 24.25 inches, retaining its full weight.

What were the average velocities of the .44 Special and .45 ACP rounds tested?

The .44 Special averaged 871 fps, while the .45 ACP averaged 961 fps. Both were close to their advertised velocities, despite differences in firearm barrel length and porting.

Which ammunition caliber generated more energy in the test?

The .45 ACP round generated significantly more energy, calculated at 379 ft-lb, compared to the .44 Special's 278 ft-lb. This difference of 101 ft-lb is notable for terminal ballistics.

What was the key difference in bullet performance between the .44 Special and .45 ACP?

The primary difference was bullet expansion. The .45 ACP exhibited controlled expansion, peeling back its jacket and lead core. The .44 Special, however, did not expand at all and instead tumbled erratically within the gel.

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