Which bullet caliber: 357 sig or 45 acp?

Question

What is the more devastating round to the human body?

Answer 1

Well, just looking at energy levels, the 357 Sig wins.

357 at 1350 f/s  at 125 grains

45 ACP at 860 f/s at 230 grains

Of course, projectile construction weighs more than muzzle energy, and in the short time I took, I didn't look at energy at 25 yards to see which RETAINED more energy with the standard shooting distance.

You values may vary.

Check out this report too...

Answer 2

Depends where the human body is hit!

If both shots are through the heart or head, it really makes no difference.

Answer 3

A standard 185 grain JHP +P in 45ACP offers 446 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards; whereas a 115 grain Corbon JHP offers up 432 ft lbs of energy at 50 yards. Either way they are both pretty potent rounds, but the 45ACP is easier to find, but the ammo is equally priced. I seen 1000 rounds of 357 Sig  125gr FMJ for $317. I included a link to an image of a ballistics gel coparison for you.

Answer 4

Both.  Why do you want to know?

Answer 5

A 357 may expand on impact, causing devastating damage. But you can be certain a 45 ball ain't gonna shrink in mid-air.

Answer 6

Both work well, the .45acp with a hollow point bullet works better. Also, the .357 sig being a proprietary round chambered only in sig firearms, is not only more expensive, but much harder to find. Whereas evey store seems to have several boxes of the good old .45acp on hand.

Answer 7

Quick answer, the .357 Sig because it is a high velocity expanding round.  The .45 acp is just a fat, slow-moving bullet less likely to expand consistently.  

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Answer 8

Probably a 45 ACP hollow point.