The test results Lyman got and published in their "BLACK POWDER HANDBOOK & LOADING MANUAL" 2nd ed. for a .36 caliber revolver says a 15 grain charge of GOEX 3Fg gave a mv of 618 fps, 67 ft/lbs of energy.
17.5 grains = 685 fps, 82 ft/lbs
20 grains = 750 fps, 99 ft/lbs
22.5 grains = 780 fps, 107 ft/lbs
A typical .380 ACP = about 165 ft/lbs
A .38 Special = about 323 ft/lbs
A std velocity .22 RF = about 116 ft/lbs
A high velocity .22 LR = 146
That said, it brings up the subject of how important is the energy given by the calculations in producing killing power.
As everyone who hunts with a roundball knows, the killing power for of a roundball greatly exceeds the predicted expectancy based on the square of the velocity X bullet weight in grains divided by 450266.43
Squaring the velocity seems to give modern ammunition a incorrect formula for killing power.
Using the bullet weight times velocity times caliber seems to give a better description of what a bullet will do.
Using this method we get a number that doesn't have any "foot/pounds" or other description except to say it gives a good comparative value of killing power.
Using this method I get:
Std vel .22 LR = 1145 X 40 X .22 =10,076
High Vel .22 LR = 1285 X 40 X .22 = 11,308
.380 ACP = 880 X 95 X .357 = 29,845
.38 Spc = 960 X 158 X .357 = 54,150
.36 roundball @ 750 fps = 750 X 79 X .375 = 22,219.
Almost twice as powerful as a high velocity .22 and about 75% as powerful as a .380 ACP.
Even at 75% of a .380 ACP there's no way in hell I would want to get shot by one.
OK. OK folks. I'll put my button boxes away. :grin:
