FPS question for handgun shooters

[Badhabit]

For personal defense how much variance in FPS is acceptable between rounds. On the Lucky Gunner site there are some great looking rounds with big expansion. My question is, there's as much as 40 FPS difference in a five shot group from slowest to fastest. Is this acceptable for commercially made ammo?

[jay.sharkbait]

Yes.

[theleo]

If you want precision and low FPS deviations, then reload, otherwise a 4% deviation in velocity (assuming it's a 1,000 fps round) isn't that bad for a self defense situation.

[jasnt]

If you want precision and low FPS deviations, then reload, otherwise a 4% deviation in velocity (assuming it's a 1,000 fps round) isn't that bad for a self defense situation.

.yeah:

[Zardoz]

The person on the receiving end won't notice the difference.   

[Badhabit]

The reason I asked was because the expansion of the round was awesome for all 5 rounds. The penetration for the four slower ones was well within the FBI acceptable penetration parameters but the fast flyer exceeded them which to me would be a pass through. If I ever have too defend myself for whatever reason I'd hope that I have no pass through shots and have to be concerned about hurting someone with one. The chances of this happening are very remote but one less concern to process. For my 9mm I'm shooting the PNW Arms ammo. For my .45 I want to try the Winchester 230 grn Ranger T Series. 1.00" diameter expansion will leave a mark.

[theleo]

You could always ditch the autos and go to a Bulldog 44 special loaded with 200 gr soft lead man stoppers.

[jay.sharkbait]

The reason I asked was because the expansion of the round was awesome for all 5 rounds. The penetration for the four slower ones was well within the FBI acceptable penetration parameters but the fast flyer exceeded them which to me would be a pass through. If I ever have too defend myself for whatever reason I'd hope that I have no pass through shots and have to be concerned about hurting someone with one. The chances of this happening are very remote but one less concern to process. For my 9mm I'm shooting the PNW Arms ammo. For my .45 I want to try the Winchester 230 grn Ranger T Series. 1.00" diameter expansion will leave a mark.

I wouldn't over think it.

And I would never ever admit I was testing my carry ammunition.

[Bofire]

40 fps deviation, you will do no better with any load, hand load or factory. forget about it, concentrate on center mass.
Carl

[Badhabit]

Thank you to those who gave me input on this.

[jdb]

The reason I asked was because the expansion of the round was awesome for all 5 rounds. The penetration for the four slower ones was well within the FBI acceptable penetration parameters but the fast flyer exceeded them which to me would be a pass through. If I ever have too defend myself for whatever reason I'd hope that I have no pass through shots and have to be concerned about hurting someone with one. The chances of this happening are very remote but one less concern to process. For my 9mm I'm shooting the PNW Arms ammo. For my .45 I want to try the Winchester 230 grn Ranger T Series. 1.00" diameter expansion will leave a mark.

I wouldn't over think it.

And I would never ever admit I was testing my carry ammunition.

why is that?

[Alchase]

Because it could be construed against you "making your ammo more lethal" by those who would.

[j_h_nimrod]

When I first took a concealed carry course it was highly frowned upon to use anything but factory ammo for self defense for the above stated reason.

[jdb]

Hmmp

[Badhabit]

I'm not "testing" ammo. I am reviewing someone else's testing and evaluating,  commenting about their results. If the FBI has published their standards for ammo performance then that would be the standard all self defense ammo would be measured by. I see no implication that i was looking for a more lethal ammo that preformed beyond the FBI parameters.

[jay.sharkbait]

I'm not "testing" ammo. I am reviewing someone else's testing and evaluating,  commenting about their results. If the FBI has published their standards for ammo performance then that would be the standard all self defense ammo would be measured by. I see no implication that i was looking for a more lethal ammo that preformed beyond the FBI parameters.

FFS the FBI should not be considered the benchmark for anything.

[mountainman]

I'm not "testing" ammo. I am reviewing someone else's testing and evaluating,  commenting about their results. If the FBI has published their standards for ammo performance then that would be the standard all self defense ammo would be measured by. I see no implication that i was looking for a more lethal ammo that preformed beyond the FBI parameters.

no need to be paranoid.

[Badhabit]

Hold on for a minute Mountainman I need to fold another tin foil hat.LOL

[fish vacuum]

If I ever have too defend myself for whatever reason I'd hope that I have no pass through shots and have to be concerned about hurting someone with one. The chances of this happening are very remote but one less concern to process.

In a real life situation, it's very likely some shots will miss the target completely. Don't think that the right ammo will make it safe for anyone behind the bad guy.

[Mongo Hunter]

I think over penetration is like printing, people overthink it.

Remember there was a time when a 4" .357 was the cats meow when it came to defense.

So a .380, 9mm, .40 or a .45 with a quality hollow point shouldn't over penetrate. if it does more than likely there wont be enough steam left in it to hurt anyone behind your target.

misses are a bigger concern than over penetration in my opinion. carry what your good a shooting and practice.

Also remember Ballistics Gel is NOT a representation of a human body. its only to give scientist, ammo manufactures, feds, ect a consistent medium to test ammo in. if you want something more consistent with a human body do a layer of denim, cotton, pig skin with some fat, pork ribs, some fruit or other semi porous material and then another layer of pork ribs. results can be surprising.

[luteai]

Deer and goats make good test subjects.

[Bofire]

goats and sheep many were used by Msood Ayoob and  Ed Sanow in the book on one shot stops.
also the Govt used many in many arms and ammo tests
Carl