How POWERFUL Is A Snub Nose Revolver ACTUALLY?(500 S&W,460 S&W,454 Casull & More !!!)

Published on December 30, 2024
Duration: 17:04

This guide details a comprehensive ballistic gel testing procedure to evaluate the actual power and effectiveness of snub nose revolvers compared to their longer-barreled counterparts. The experiment, led by Kentucky Ballistics, utilizes various powerful handgun calibers and standardized testing methods to provide data-driven insights into penetration and expansion. The results challenge common assumptions about snub nose revolver performance, particularly in heavier calibers where reduced velocity can sometimes lead to deeper penetration due to less bullet expansion.

Quick Summary

Snub nose revolvers can be surprisingly effective, sometimes out-penetrating longer barrels in calibers like .454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum. This occurs because lower velocities from shorter barrels can lead to less bullet expansion, resulting in deeper penetration through ballistic gel. Calibers tested included .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .460 S&W Magnum, and .500 S&W Magnum.

Chapters

  1. 01:02Introduction: Snub Nose vs. Long Barrel
  2. 02:53.357 Magnum Testing
  3. 04:45.44 Magnum Testing
  4. 08:06.454 Casull Testing
  5. 10:46.460 S&W Magnum Testing
  6. 13:19.500 S&W Magnum Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

How powerful is a snub nose revolver compared to a long-barreled one?

Snub nose revolvers can be surprisingly effective, sometimes even out-penetrating longer barrels in calibers like .454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum. This occurs because lower velocities from shorter barrels can lead to less bullet expansion, resulting in deeper penetration through ballistic gel.

What calibers were tested in the snub nose revolver comparison?

The comparison included powerful handgun calibers such as .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .460 S&W Magnum, and .500 S&W Magnum, evaluating both snub nose and longer-barreled variants.

Does bullet expansion affect penetration depth in snub nose revolvers?

Yes, bullet expansion significantly impacts penetration. In tests with snub nose revolvers firing magnum calibers, lower velocities sometimes resulted in less expansion, which paradoxically led to deeper penetration compared to longer-barreled counterparts where higher velocities caused more expansion.

What testing method was used to evaluate snub nose revolver power?

The evaluation utilized standardized 10% ballistic gel blocks from Clear Ballistics. Firearms were fired into the gel to measure penetration depth and observe bullet expansion, providing a consistent method for comparing terminal ballistics.

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