9mm VS 40 S&W VS 357 Sig VS 45 ACP VS 30 Super Carry | All Federal HST | Short Barrel Showdown!!!

Published on October 14, 2023
Duration: 12:28

This video provides a head-to-head comparison of five popular handgun calibers (30 Super Carry, 9mm, 357 SIG, 40 S&W, 45 ACP) using Federal HST ammunition fired from short-barreled handguns into ballistic gel. The instructor, from 'The Gun Dungeon', focuses on comparing bullet expansion and penetration, noting surprising performance from the 30 Super Carry and significant expansion from the 45 ACP despite less penetration.

Quick Summary

In short-barrel handgun tests with Federal HST, the 30 Super Carry achieved deep penetration (17.75 inches), while the 45 ACP offered maximum expansion but less penetration (12.75 inches). The 357 SIG penetrated 16 inches, comparable to a 'souped-up 9mm', and the 40 S&W offered slightly more penetration than 9mm.

Chapters

  1. 00:41Introduction & Caliber Comparison
  2. 01:41Short Barrel Handgun Setup
  3. 02:31Ballistic Gel Test Protocol
  4. 03:2230 Super Carry Test Results
  5. 05:039mm Luger Test Results
  6. 06:25357 SIG Test Results
  7. 07:1440 S&W Test Results
  8. 08:0745 ACP Test Results
  9. 09:36Bullet Recovery & Analysis
  10. 10:02Overall Performance Comparison
  11. 10:54Conclusion & Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the 30 Super Carry perform against larger calibers in short barrels with HST ammo?

Surprisingly, the 30 Super Carry demonstrated deep penetration, reaching approximately 17.75 inches in the ballistic gel. This performance was competitive with larger calibers, showcasing its effectiveness despite its smaller diameter.

What were the key differences in expansion and penetration between 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP using Federal HST?

The 45 ACP showed the most expansion but least penetration (12.75 inches). The 9mm penetrated about 13.5-14.38 inches, while the 40 S&W penetrated around 15 inches with slightly more expansion than the 9mm. All used Federal HST in short barrels.

How did the 357 SIG compare to 9mm in short-barrel ballistic gel tests?

The 357 SIG achieved full penetration of the 16-inch gel block, offering similar damage and expansion to a 9mm but with significantly more penetration, effectively acting as a 'souped-up nine millimeter'.

What is the primary trade-off observed between the 45 ACP and other calibers in this short-barrel test?

The 45 ACP's primary trade-off was reduced penetration depth (around 12.75 inches) in exchange for exceptional bullet expansion, which the instructor described as turning into an 'ashtray' within the gel.

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