Corbon +P 90 gr?

[TheRev.]

What would be the drawbacks of using the corbon 90 grain +p? There seem to be a lot of fans of 124 and 115 grain but if looks like the Corbon's are traveling at 1500 fps delivering a good bit of energy. What would be some drawbacks? Would this not make a good sd load? Ultimately I will prob go the way of the gold dot 124 or dpx 115 but as I explore the options I ran across these and may give them a try. Any thoughts?

[kwh]

All else being equal the lighter the bullet the less the penetration. Also the greater the expansion the less the penetration.

[Longitude Zero]

Due to experience I am NOT a fan of Corbon anything.

[TheRev.]

So in this instance faster does not equal better? Are there ang advantages or upsides to this load? Is it more for rifles or something? What about, say the 115 dpx?

[kwh]

Faster should result in more expansion therefore penetration should decrease. I would think fast over-light bullets would leave a larger more superficial wound. For defensive rounds, ( consider all pistol rounds as marginal compared to the centerfire rifle ) if the hole is too small, or the bullet does not go deep enough to cause enough damage to vital structures desired results would not be appreciated. Also all shots are not necessarily full frontal. Consider side shots, shots taken at an angle, and shots while lying on the ground shooting up. Bone may be hit. Depending on size ,clothing, and angle of the B.G., a guess on my part might be 5 inches of extra penetration could be needed. Bullet design is also important. Energy does not tell the whole story. Example, many do not consider the .44 magnum ideal because hunting loads can over penetrate humans and the energy is wasted on the other side of the target. Not saying the Cor-Bon is not a good load just discussing the question. Which is better lighter smaller faster 9mm or heavier larger slower .45acp? With the correct bullet is there any difference? Fortunantly that is why different weights are provided for the 9mm. I like 124 gr. in my Kahr because they feed the best. I like Gold Dots and Golden Sabers . I do not have any first hand knowledge or experience ,just carry what i feel most comfortable with. Summer, I carry my CM9. In Winter, I carry my CW.45 more often.

[b4uqzme]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum Rev...Golden Saber 147gr hp. Heavy bullet. Good expansion. Translates to maximum self defense IMHO. Plus they just feel good compared to all that range fodder I've been shooting.

I am curious though. Does anyone think those 90gr make a good target round? Perhaps for IDPA? Does fast and light = accurate and easy to reacquire target?

[yqtszhj]

So in this instance faster does not equal better? Are there ang advantages or upsides to this load? Is it more for rifles or something? What about, say the 115 dpx?

If it expands like the standard size and goes faster I would think it would penetrate deeper. Regardless if it feeds good in your pistol and you like it, use it. It's going to hurt if it hits someone.

Now for all those out there that like a heavier bullet, how about 230 gr. .45 +P JHP. Now we're talking. The Flying Ashtray. :D

[muggsy]

Works for me.

[garyb]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum Rev...Golden Saber 147gr hp. Heavy bullet. Good expansion. Translates to maximum self defense IMHO. Plus they just feel good compared to all that range fodder I've been shooting.

I am curious though. Does anyone think those 90gr make a good target round? Perhaps for IDPA? Does fast and light = accurate and easy to reacquire target?

I learned this from Bongo Boy and he has proven correct. For competition you generally want less muzzle flip so you can get to your next shot quicker. Muzzle flip is related to "power factor" which is calculated by the bullet weight in grains X muzzle velocity in FPS. Then divide that by 1000. A lower power factor has less recoil/ muzzle flip. However, when you get really competitive you can get on the next target quicker, so you need your gun and velocity quicker ... Which means lighter bullets and more velocity and greater power factors. To achieve a lower power factor, go to a heavier bullet and lower charge. The mass of the bullet helps to cycle the gun. A lighter bullet requires more powder to cycle. You can compare ammo power factor and resulting muzzle flip by using the calculation. This is a brief and partial explanation regarding power factor relative to bullet weight in competition . For SD it is another story. Look partially to expansion, penetration, KE, etc. I'd stick with heavier, generally. But you need to look at all the factors and what you are trying to accomplish with a load. Some guys just look at cheap is better . To each his own.

[b4uqzme]

Thanks garyb!

[TheRev.]

As for range and distance, wouldn't a lighter round drop less and have a longer range at which it is still effective? There has to be some upside with the 90gr pill traveling about 400 fps faster than say a 147gr

[yqtszhj]

As for range and distance, wouldn't a lighter round drop less and have a longer range at which it is still effective? There has to be some upside with the 90gr pill traveling about 400 fps faster than say a 147gr

Shooting level the bullet drop is going to be the same (Newton's law.) Now velocity will get it farther faster giving the appearance of less drop but actually it's just getting there faster.

Now if you're sighting in a scope and the bullet is traveling in an arc the it will be different.

Faster may give you better penetration but if you hit a solid then the lighter bullet may penetrate less. There's lots of other factors to consider such as what's in the way.

I think in 9mm you'll be good regardless. Buy something that you can afford to practice with and make sure it feeds good in your pistol. A good shot with a light bullet beats a miss with a 147gr. every day. :D

[garyb]

As for range and distance, wouldn't a lighter round drop less and have a longer range at which it is still effective? There has to be some upside with the 90gr pill traveling about 400 fps faster than say a 147gr

If you say so !

[garyb]

Shooting level the bullet drop is going to be the same (Newton's law.) Now velocity will get it farther faster giving the appearance of less drop but actually it's just getting there faster.

Now if you're sighting in a scope and the bullet is traveling in an arc the it will be different.

Faster may give you better penetration but if you hit a solid then the lighter bullet may penetrate less. There's lots of other factors to consider such as what's in the way.

I think in 9mm you'll be good regardless. Buy something that you can afford to practice with and make sure it feeds good in your pistol. A good shot with a light bullet beats a miss with a 147gr. every day. :D

Are you shooting a rifle or a handgun?

[Barth]

Like other have stated.
The very light and fast bullets tend to have lots of energy.
But they also tend to dump it quickly leaving a shallow wound channel.

Personally I like running LE ammo in my carry guns.
Rather than experiment with some exotic stuff.

[Longitude Zero]

Like other have stated.
The very light and fast bullets tend to have lots of energy.
But they also tend to dump it quickly leaving a shallow wound channel.

Personally I like running LE ammo in my carry guns.
Rather than experiment with some exotic stuff.

Exactly correct to both. Light weight hi velocity rounds tend to also shatter and retain little mass or energy deeply enough to be useful.

[garyb]

Like other have stated.
The very light and fast bullets tend to have lots of energy.
But they also tend to dump it quickly leaving a shallow wound channel.

Personally I like running LE ammo in my carry guns.
Rather than experiment with some exotic stuff.

Agreed with all points made! But would add that there is some very good commercial SD ammo (nothing especially exotic about them) out there to choose from.

[jocko]

I would venture to say at 10 yards and under, a 147 or 90 bullet is not going to drop either way to make a hill of beans difference. Just sayin

I always hate 5to really recommend any bullet weight. as if it floats ur boat stick with it. 99.995% of the chance of u ever haviing to discuss later on that you got full penetration in the BG or if u blew his back side ouyt either. RELIABILITYT is #1, if it doesnb't comneout the end of the barrel every time, it ain't worth a fokk.

[Longitude Zero]

RELIABILITYT is #1, if it doesnb't comneout the end of the barrel every time, it ain't worth a fokk.

This.

[chrish]

What gary said.


It's all about expansion and penetration. Bullet design is equally important in the modern era, so many manufacturers are producing stuff now w/ lower FPS, lower recoil, and adequate penetration that fast OR heavy don't necessarily tell the whole story anymore. Take the newer stuff from Hornady for example, the Critical Duty. In 9mm, it comes in standard and +P, and neither are much to write home about in the FPS category (1010 vs 1110). But both get really good penetration, mid-weight bullet, very low recoil compared to a hot 115/125 or a standard 147.


I think in the end, any good SD load, regardless of speed or weight, will do the job...as long as you don't find that testing showed that they regularly clog and act like a FMJ.

[queevil]

I'm a bit late to this thread but I'll chime in because I've actually fired a box worth of this exact round through my first handgun, a Beretta 92. It was unlike anything else I'd ever fired through it. Very loud, very snappy with A LOT of muzzle flip. Lots of flash even though Corbon advertises that they use low flash powders. The 92 was a creampuff with everything I ever put through it except for the 90 gr. Corbon. I made the decision after that one box not to use it for sd for fear of not being able to get a fast follow up shot due to the flash and muzzle flip. That's saying a lot for a full size handgun chambered for a light recoiling round.

As far as performance, I can't speculate because I didn't fire the round into a human, a beef carcass or ballistic gelatin. I only shot it at paper.

I hope this helps.