Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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If you are using one of the 1917 revolvers, sight regulation is an issue and the lighter and heavier bullets may not be viable, even if the heavy bullets will work in the short 1917 cylinder. The 230-grain bullets will generally strike an inch or two high at 25 yards while the 200-grain bullet will strike to the point of aim. Lighter bullets can be really low, on the order of four inches, with no easy way to adjust the sights, unless you wish to permanently sight the gun by file work for the lighter bullets. There are none of these problems with the 1955 target models. You may be able to raise bullet impact in a fixed-sight revolver by increasing barrel time, i.e., by lowering velocity, but in doing so you necessarily degrade performance a bit. Conversely, you can usually lower point of impact by increasing the velocity, provided you don’t exceed published load data and don’t mind the possibility of increased leading.

In jacketed bullets, the 185-grain bullets may offer excellent accuracy and good expansion. I have enjoyed excellent results with the 185-grain Sierra in both regards. I admit to less experience with the Nosler but it too has given good results. The original bullet weight Browning envisioned when working with the fledging .45 ACP was 200-gr. s, but the Army demanded a 230-grain bullet. The 200-grain bullet often offers good balance betweeen the two. The 200-grain Hornady XTP, at 1000 fps, will penetrate 16 inches or more of ballistic media and open to .68 caliber. Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat prefers this bullet to any other and offers a special load from his shop using this bullet. Accuracy is good. The standard 230-grain weight bullets are still the best choice in jacketed hollowpoints for all around use. The XTP offers the most penetration, the Sierra opens the quickest, and the Gold Dot offers a good balance of expansion and penetration. A largely overlooked choice is the Winchester 230-grain JHP, offered in bulk quantities. This bullet expands like a heavy Silvertip, with excellent repeatability – it works from 800 fps with best results about 860 fps. I would feel very comfortable with this bullet in a personal defense load. For a general defense and hunting load, the 230s offer a fertile field. I think the hunter will probably prefer the XTP but the others offer considerable utility.