Ammo selection for PCCs/subguns?

[BeerPongTaskForce]

Recently listened to ModCast 400 and I learned that a lot of the conventional wisdom that I thought I knew was wrong.

To get to the point of my question, are those duty rounds still the best choice in a PCC with an 8 to 12 inch barrel? Does the increased velocity result in a hollow point opening too much/too early and not reaching the recommended depth? What type of rounds are optimal in a barrel of that length?

 

[Nate Osborne]

I am not 100% sure where I was reading this (I think it was Lucky Gunner, but not sure), but the idea was the 147 grain duty loads were generally the best option for longer barreled PCCs because they were more likely to stay within the ideal velocity window for proper expansion/penetration, as you mentioned. For example, in doing some testing several years ago, I was able to get 90 grain XTPs (not known for their expansion), to dramatically under-penetrate by pushing them to higher velocities than intended. For me, I stick with the standard pressure 147 HTSs/gold dots as a general rule. I will also note that I tend to favor the gold dots in the PCCs because I am almost always shooting them suppressed, and the HSTs tend to be supersonic for me, where the gold dots are just a touch slower and usually stay subsonic in my guns. I understand (and expect) a PCC to do nothing more than a service pistol would do as far as terminal ballistics, which is why many advocate for rifle calibers when you get into longer barreled PCCs. I don't disagree, but sometimes that's the gun you are using and, no matter the reason, you want to best ammo for the gun you have.

 

[pointblank4445]

Recently listened to ModCast 400 and I learned that a lot of the conventional wisdom that I thought I knew was wrong.

To get to the point of my question, are those duty rounds still the best choice in a PCC with an 8 to 12 inch barrel? Does the increased velocity result in a hollow point opening too much/too early and not reaching the recommended depth? What type of rounds are optimal in a barrel of that length?

I've yet to listen to that episode, but am hoping they touched on the phenomena that "mo faster" does not equate to "mo deeper" with certain projectiles and can be rather quite the opposite with some things.

Came to add, but pretty much the same as what @Nate Osborne is saying that I would stick with a heaver pill like the 147gr in a standard design from any marginal velocity increase. In terms of velocity/performance increase, I had an old Cali DOJ HK 94 for many years and I used the crap out of it. It ate up several cases of 147gr Black Talon and I noted very early on, it was not pushing those pills with much of an increase from that 16" proboscis of a barrel. I know I was still sub-sonic.

 

[BeerPongTaskForce]

I am not 100% sure where I was reading this (I think it was Lucky Gunner, but not sure), but the idea was the 147 grain duty loads were generally the best option for longer barreled PCCs because they were more likely to stay within the ideal velocity window for proper expansion/penetration, as you mentioned. For example, in doing some testing several years ago, I was able to get 90 grain XTPs (not known for their expansion), to dramatically under-penetrate by pushing them to higher velocities than intended. For me, I stick with the standard pressure 147 HTSs/gold dots as a general rule. I will also note that I tend to favor the gold dots in the PCCs because I am almost always shooting them suppressed, and the HSTs tend to be supersonic for me, where the gold dots are just a touch slower and usually stay subsonic in my guns. I understand (and expect) a PCC to do nothing more than a service pistol would do as far as terminal ballistics, which is why many advocate for rifle calibers when you get into longer barreled PCCs. I don't disagree, but sometimes that's the gun you are using and, no matter the reason, you want to best ammo for the gun you have.

Before I listened to 400, I had been thinking that maybe some of those light-for-caliber rounds from a reputable manufacturer, like the 68 and 90 grain 9mms from Lehigh/Underwood, might really shine in a longer barrel. Since the doctor said that velocity matters less than I had thought, it might make more sense to prioritize concealability and packability over modest ballistic gains.

 

[therealthedanimal]

I am not 100% sure where I was reading this (I think it was Lucky Gunner, but not sure), but the idea was the 147 grain duty loads were generally the best option for longer barreled PCCs because they were more likely to stay within the ideal velocity window for proper expansion/penetration, as you mentioned. For example, in doing some testing several years ago, I was able to get 90 grain XTPs (not known for their expansion), to dramatically under-penetrate by pushing them to higher velocities than intended. For me, I stick with the standard pressure 147 HTSs/gold dots as a general rule. I will also note that I tend to favor the gold dots in the PCCs because I am almost always shooting them suppressed, and the HSTs tend to be supersonic for me, where the gold dots are just a touch slower and usually stay subsonic in my guns. I understand (and expect) a PCC to do nothing more than a service pistol would do as far as terminal ballistics, which is why many advocate for rifle calibers when you get into longer barreled PCCs. I don't disagree, but sometimes that's the gun you are using and, no matter the reason, you want to best ammo for the gun you have.

Here's the Lucky Gunner article you were referencing.

Self-Defense Ammo for Pistol Caliber Carbines - Lucky Gunner Lounge

Let's explore the best self defense ammo for pistol caliber carbines. How do common ammo loads perform in carbines vs pistols?

www.luckygunner.com