oscarswanson wrote:
Hi,
Anyway, My question is why are revolver cartridges of equal power always larger than semi auto?
Then look at guns today! The technology employed to lighten guns is amazing. But, light wt guns are not mean to be used for range guns! They are tools of last resort as back up weapon or primary carry weapons for CCW or off duty carry for LEO. Guns meant to be carried a lot and shot very little!
Not sure what you are asking so to speak. But, there are quite a few ballistic equals out there. Much of your question can be answered with look at the heritage of handgun cartridges. The developers had to deal with resources available at the time. Some were devloped in the era of BP. Technologic advances provide some of the answers. But, the good ole 9mm and the timeless 45ACP are still loaded to the orginal loadings! And, they work well.
There is no way the 38 spec is the equivalent of the 380! Nope! The FBI loading of 158gr LSWCHP did well by them for a number of years! The 9mm is more of ballistic twin to the 38 spec. Now, with Speer working with bullets meant to expand with short bbls it seems that the revolver will never die.
The 357 Sig on some levels packs the punch of the 357 Mag, but only with the lighter bullets.
The 40SW is an answer to question that was never asked if you ask me! The original loading was with a 180gr bullet traveling about 950fps. Gee that is really close to 45ACP with 185gr bullet.
Then look at the 10mm, the FBI had to down load it to make it manageable for the entire spectrum of their agents.