Stopping power

[jaws]

So what is everyones favorite round? It seems everyone likes the .45ACP any takers for the .40SW?

[Terry C.]

I'm a throwback, I like the .357 Magnum.

[Lightning]

44 magnum stops things well

[XL O.C.D.]

Maybe I'm ignorant, but I still like my 9mm's. Specifically, I like that I can fit an extra round or two in there. I find myself more accurate with it too, and a properly placed .22 will do more damage than a .50 that whizzes past an earlobe.

[Ghugly]

If I could only have one pistol, .357 mag would be my choice. I like plinking with .38 wadcutters and full house .357's are flat shooting and hard hitting.

[hybriDatsun350]

.44 mag's and .357's go right through a body. You want something that stops inside of the target. Such as a .40 or a .45 would. I favor the .45 ACP personally. The U.S. military used it for 70 something years for a reason.

[jalldredge]

When you talk about stopping power it is relevant only to a specific stuation involving the firearm and its associated measurements, the cartridge and how it is loaded, distance and angles to the target, and the target itself. the big, 454, various mid 4 calibers and 500 mags are very powerful. Though I don't fancy killing an rhino with them. There are thousands of different scenarios.

I'll just take it that you are refering to a person as a target. Are you talking about one of us over weight yank's or central African refugee? Just like anything else. it is benificial to "load" for the target specific. Some will say that the 44mag is overkill on people. Not if has the right bullet. I really like 185gr jacket hollow cores for things up to about 200 pounds under 75 yards. There is complete energy transfer. massive trauma and i've never shot twice. This is on mostly four legged man sized beasts.

But even the handgun itself makes a difference. My preffered 44mag is a Dan Wesson, 8" barrel with power ports. Not easily concealable.
To follow Ghugly 357 and 38, the same can be said for 44mags and 44specials, 32 H&R and 32 longs, etc.

I really like 10mm. I just can't find the pistol that fits me well, I would really like a single stack para-ordnance full sized LDA.(it only takes money) So I carry 40. or a 38 or 9mm depending on where I venture forth.

[risotteria]

a gaping chest wound is the best deterent to crime reguardless of the round...pow

[c pierce]

If your going to carry conceled the 40 or 45 in a compact is the way to go.

[Sportster1200]

45-70 with a 300 grn bullet. Stops anything.

Short of a shotgun seems to be the most effective way to drop someone. If you can't do it in 5 shots you shouldn't have come.

Great rifle cartridge as well, ammunition available anywhere.

Kong