Cartidge of the Day: .32 ACP
The 32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as 7.65×17mmSR Browning, is a centerfire pistol cartridge introduced by John Browning in 1899. It was designed for early 20th-century semi-automatic pistols and saw widespread use in compact and pocket pistols.
Typical ballistics for the 32 ACP include a bullet weight ranging from 60 to 73 grains, with a muzzle velocity around 900 to 1,000 feet per second. Due to its relatively low recoil, it is favored for use in small, easily concealable handguns, which makes it suitable for self-defense and personal protection, especially for those who are sensitive to the recoil of larger calibers.
The 32 ACP has been employed historically in several famous firearms, including the Walther PP and PPK, as well as the Browning 1910. Though not as powerful as more modern self-defense cartridges like the 9mm Luger, the 32 ACP remains in use today and is popular among collectors, as well as some concealed carry permit holders.
It is known for its reliability and ease of shooting, although its stopping power is generally considered to be less effective than larger calibers.
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The 32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as 7.65×17mmSR Browning, is a centerfire pistol cartridge introduced by John Browning in 1899. It was designed for early 20th-century semi-automatic pistols and saw widespread use in compact and pocket pistols.
Typical ballistics for the 32 ACP include a bullet weight ranging from 60 to 73 grains, with a muzzle velocity around 900 to 1,000 feet per second. Due to its relatively low recoil, it is favored for use in small, easily concealable handguns, which makes it suitable for self-defense and personal protection, especially for those who are sensitive to the recoil of larger calibers.
The 32 ACP has been employed historically in several famous firearms, including the Walther PP and PPK, as well as the Browning 1910. Though not as powerful as more modern self-defense cartridges like the 9mm Luger, the 32 ACP remains in use today and is popular among collectors, as well as some concealed carry permit holders.
It is known for its reliability and ease of shooting, although its stopping power is generally considered to be less effective than larger calibers.
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The .458 SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is a powerful, large-bore cartridge designed for the AR-15 platform. Developed in the early 2000s by Marty ter Weeme of Teppo Jutsu LLC, it was intended to provide superior stopping power and terminal ballistics for special operations and military contexts, particularly in close-quarters combat.
The cartridge features a .458-inch diameter bullet and is compatible with standard AR-15 lower receivers, although it requires a specialized upper receiver, barrel, and magazine. The .458 SOCOM can fire bullets ranging from around 250 to 600 grains, offering significant flexibility in terms of performance and application.
This cartridge is noted for its capability to deliver substantial energy on target, making it effective for hunting large game, including deer, hogs, and even some African game animals. It's also utilized for tactical applications where a high-stopping power is critical, although its use is less common in conventional military or law enforcement scenarios.
Recoil is notably higher than standard AR-15 cartridges like the 5.56 NATO, but it remains manageable for experienced shooters.
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The .454 Casull cartridge is a high-powered, rimmed, revolver round designed for use in heavy-frame revolvers. Developed in 1957 by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer, it was introduced commercially in 1998. The cartridge is known for its impressive stopping power and high velocity, making it suitable for big game hunting and protection against large predators.
Firing a bullet typically weighing between 240 to 360 grains, the .454 Casull can achieve muzzle velocities in the range of 1,500 to 2,000 feet per second. This results in significantly higher energy compared to the .44 Magnum, a cartridge to which it is often compared. Because of its high recoil and pressure, firearms chambered for the .454 Casull are generally designed for experienced shooters.
In addition to revolvers, certain single-shot pistols and rifles are also chambered for this cartridge. Due to its powerful performance, it's also used in silhouette shooting competitions and for defense in dangerous game scenarios where reliable penetration and knockdown power are essential.
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The .40 Smith & Wesson (abbreviated .40 S&W) cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled handgun round. Developed jointly by Smith & Wesson and Winchester in 1990, it was designed to offer a balance between the stopping power of the larger .45 ACP and the capacity and lower recoil of the smaller 9mm Luger. The typical bullet diameter is 0.40 inches (10.16 mm), and common bullet weights range from 135 to 180 grains (8.75 to 11.66 grams).
The .40 S&W is popular among law enforcement agencies and civilians for self-defense, thanks to its effective stopping power and manageable recoil. It achieves velocities between 950 and 1,450 feet per second (290 to 440 meters per second), depending on the load. This cartridge is often used in semi-automatic pistols and is known for its versatility and widespread availability.
Due to its design, the .40 S&W provides a good compromise of firepower, rate of fire, and magazine capacity, making it a well-rounded choice for various defensive and law enforcement applications.
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The .223 Remington and 5.56×45mm NATO cartridges are similar but not identical. The .223 Remington was developed in 1957 and is widely used in civilian rifles for hunting, target shooting, and varmint control. The 5.56×45mm NATO, standardized by NATO in the early 1980s, is the military version used in rifles such as the M16 and M4.
The cartridges have different chamber specifications; 5.56mm NATO is designed to operate at higher pressure and includes thicker-walled cases. The .223 Remington typically operates at slightly lower pressure. It is generally advised not to shoot 5.56mm NATO rounds in a .223 Remington chamber due to pressure differences, but .223 Remington can be safely fired from 5.56mm NATO chambers.
Both have a bullet diameter of .224 and are effective for mid-range engagements, generally within 500 meters. They offer flat trajectories and good terminal ballistics for their size. The versatility and effectiveness of these rounds make them popular choices for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters alike.
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The .357 Magnum is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge introduced in 1934 primarily for law enforcement use. It was developed collaboratively by firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester. The cartridge measures 1.29 inches in length, with an overall length of 1.59 inches. It typically fires a 0.357-inch (9.07 mm) diameter bullet. The cartridge is known for its high stopping power and versatility, capable of being used in both revolvers and certain types of rifles.
Performance-wise, the .357 Magnum can propel a bullet at speeds ranging from 1,200 to over 1,500 feet per second, delivering significant kinetic energy and deep penetration. This makes it suitable for self-defense, hunting medium-sized game, and target shooting. Additionally, its ability to chamber the less powerful .38 Special cartridge in .357 Magnum firearms adds to its versatility.
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The 9mm Luger, also known as the 9x19mm Parabellum, is one of the most widely used handgun cartridges in the world. Developed by Georg Luger in 1901, it was originally designed for the Luger semi-automatic pistol. The cartridge has a bullet diameter of 9.01 mm (0.355 inches) and a case length of 19.15 mm.
The 9mm Luger is favored for its balanced performance, offering a good combination of manageable recoil, accuracy, and stopping power. It is popular in both civilian and military applications, used extensively in handguns and submachine guns. Common use cases include self-defense, law enforcement, military service, and competitive shooting sports.
The cartridge typically fires a bullet weighing between 115 to 147 grains, with muzzle velocities ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet per second, depending on the load. The 9mm Luger is known for its versatility and availability, making it the standard issue for many police agencies and militaries worldwide.
In summary, the 9mm Luger is a highly effective, versatile, and widely-used cartridge suitable for various functions including self-defense, law enforcement, and competitive shooting.
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The .308 Winchester and the 7.62×51mm NATO are similar rifle cartridges with overlapping dimensions and performance. Introduced in the 1950s, the .308 Winchester was developed by Winchester and is a popular caliber for hunting, target shooting, and military use. The 7.62 NATO, a military adaptation, was standardized at approximately the same time.
The cartridge typically features a bullet diameter of .308 inches (7.8mm) and a case length of 51mm. It is known for its accuracy, moderate recoil, and effectiveness at medium to long ranges, making it suitable for hunting large game like deer and elk. In the military sphere, it is commonly used in designated marksman rifles and machine guns.
One key difference is that NATO specifications require the 7.62 NATO to handle slightly higher pressures for military use, while the .308 Winchester may offer a broader range of commercial loadings and can sometimes be loaded to higher pressures in civilian applications. Despite these differences, the two are often interchangeable in many firearms designed for either cartridge, though caution and proper verification are always advised.
Use cases include hunting, competitive shooting, and military applications.
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The .30-06 Springfield cartridge, also known as the 7.62x63mm, was introduced to the U.S. Army in 1906 and remained in use as the primary military rifle cartridge until the late 1950s. The "06" in its name refers to the year of its adoption, 1906.
This cartridge was designed for use in the M1903 Springfield rifle and saw extensive service through both World Wars and the Korean War before being replaced by the 7.62x51mm NATO.
The .30-06 Springfield is a versatile cartridge, known for its powerful performance, long-range accuracy, and high flexibility. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, including hunting, target shooting, and military use. It remains popular among hunters due to its ability to take down a variety of game, from deer to larger animals like elk and bear, due to its high velocity and significant stopping power.
Bullet weights commonly range from 110 to 220 grains, giving shooters a broad selection to match their needs. The cartridge's performance has made it one of the most popular and enduring hunting and sporting rounds in America.
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The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge, often abbreviated as .45 Auto, was developed by John Browning in 1904 for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic pistol. It was later adopted by the U.S. military with the M1911 pistol in 1911. The .45 ACP is a rimless, straight-walled handgun cartridge that is well-regarded for its stopping power, moderate recoil, and effectiveness in self-defense, law enforcement, and military applications.
It typically fires a 230-grain bullet at a velocity of around 830 feet per second. The cartridge is known for its large diameter and heavy bullet, contributing to its effectiveness in close-quarter situations. It remains popular for various uses, including personal defense, competitive shooting, and as a duty round for law enforcement officers. The .45 ACP is compatible with a wide range of pistols and submachine guns, and it has a storied history influencing its continued use today.
Image and description courtesy of Lee Precision
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