Your Favorite BW Mag Round

[Paddie]

I've been attempting to sort through all the posts and topics on the best all around load for my Black Widow with mag cylinder, but there is so much to sort through that it's overwhelming.
I have a mini with a 1 5/8" barrel as well as the 2" Black Widow. I'm presently using the Maxi Mag +V HP in both. What are the downsides for my particular revolvers? Is there another round I might want to consider?
Cheers!

[Dinadan]

It is really impossible to say that a particular round is best. I tend to think that penetration is more important than expansion or shock, so I always carry 40gr mags: either Gold-Dot or Maximag. I know that according to NAA ballistics chart, the 30gr Maxi Mag +V HP delivers more muzzle energy than the heavier rounds out of the Black Widow and the 1 5/8" Mini. I guess that that would mean more shock value.

I figure that the specific cartridge that I use probably will not matter in a self defense situation. A thug will probably cease and desist after one shot from any cartridge. If it is a drug crazed maniac bent on mayhem, then the difference between the best and the worst .22 magnum probably is not going to make much difference. That being said, personally I like 40gr Gold-Dots and 40gr Maximags.

Here is a link to NAA's ballistics site if you have not already looked it over:
http://northamericanarms.com/ballistics

Here is a link to a pretty good discussion about NAA ballistics that we had a couple of months ago:
http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=3700.0

[Paddie]

Thanks for the links. I particularly like your thoughts on alternating the 40 gr Maximags with the 40 gr Gold-Dots in your cylinder. Perhaps the one odd round of the 5 could be the first up with a loud 30 gr +V. 

I was also intrigued by your mention of the Black Widow with a long rifle cylinder having an effective barrel length of 2 3/8". A more detailed comparison of various LR and mag rounds in the Black Widow would have been interesting as well.

I appreciated the work twogunjayne was compiling. Seemed like some of the dismissive posts killed the thread.

Thanks for your insights.

[adp3]

I used to use the +V Maxis too.  When the Gold Dots and Critical Defense ammo came out I checked them both out.  The CD ammo was disappointing.  I carry Gold Dots in my BWs now.  Good velocity, good expansion and good accuracy.  I just wish I could find it on the shelf more often.

Best Regards,
ADP3

[Paddie]

Good pictures of Gold-Dot expansion in the link provided above by dinadan. Any thoughts on penetration? I haven't seen mention of it anywhere.

[PRM]

I today's market, my favorite round is what I can find.  The .22 LR is hard to find and requires a second mortgage. Magnums - all but impossible to find.  I have only found one store locally that has any magnum rounds and they were bought off of another customer.  The rest are saying it has been months since they saw any .22 magnums and have no idea when they will be available again.

[Paddie]

Excellent observation PRM! But what does that have to do with the price of onions?

[Paddie]

Interesting article on use of BW for GD product development:

"This new load is tailored for a 2" barrel, so the Black Widow was the perfect test gun. In fact, it is our understanding that the good old boys at CCI/Speer (CCI loads this ammo under the Speer name, as both are subsidiaries of ATK) used a Black Widow for much of their product development. Mini revolvers are in widespread use for personal protection, none more so than the popular Black Widow model."

http://www.chuckhawks.com/speer_WMR_GDHP-SB.htm

[cfsharry]

"Excellent observation PRM! But what does that have to do with the price of onions?"

Paddie
Some might construe that as dismissive.  The more discerning might simply see it as a request to not go off on a tangent but rather, to address the topic at hand.

[OV-1D]

  CF ..................... I think a chill pill is in order .

[MR_22]

For .22 Magnum carry, I used Gold Dots.

[bud]

I use whatever I can get.     

[Paddie]

Not dismissive at all, Harry. Just going with the logical flow of the post.

For that matter ... if rioting peasants were attempting to steal your onions, what round would you put in your Black Widow to protect your stash?

http://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2013/s3832931.htm

[I]

I like Cci maxi mag tmj. Gel tests I've read say they probably flip inside the target and may fully penetrate a BG if no bone is struck. I think they call that "two hole" theory.

I guess "Ol Painless" of The Box of Truth has convinced me I need penetration.

That said, I think ANY mag round is a good choice.

Anothe bit of food for thought. The slingshot people say 40+ fpe can be lethal with proper shot placement.

[Dinadan]

Good pictures of Gold-Dot expansion in the link provided above by dinadan. Any thoughts on penetration? I haven't seen mention of it anywhere.

I think there is a trade off between expansion and penetration. Load two rounds with the same weight bullet and powder, if one expands and the other does not, then the round that does not expand will penetrate further. Of the ammo that I have tested, CCI Maximag Total Metal Jacket is tops at penetration. No expansion at all, of course.

[bleak_window]

I have stuck with the Speer Gold Dots, but can't find any now, so for practice I've been using a 34gr Winchester rifle round.  I still use the Gold Dots for carry.

[PRM]

Onions???  No -  it's bullets VS rocks.  My favorite today is what I am able to find. AND, for most of the last year, and at least the foreseeable future those choices are limited.  If all I can find are are brand X, then given other options, that's my favorite.

[Mandodoc]

"And if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with"

[G50AE]

"Excellent observation PRM! But what does that have to do with the price of onions?"

Paddie
Some might construe that as dismissive.  The more discerning might simply see it as a request to not go off on a tangent but rather, to address the topic at hand.

Going off on tangents, or cotangents as the case may be, is a sine of having a punny sense of humor. 

[nastruck]

Has anyone done any ballistics testing of the slingshot? Just wondering....

[theysayimnotme]

I believe a young lad by the name of David did.

[G50AE]

I believe a young lad by the name of David did.

And he used a real Goliath of a chronograph. 

[nastruck]

I guess this David must have not known about the Mini, huh?

[jim c 351]

I used to use the +V Maxis too.  When the Gold Dots and Critical Defense ammo came out I checked them both out.  The CD ammo was disappointing.  I carry Gold Dots in my BWs now.  Good velocity, good expansion and good accuracy.  I just wish I could find it on the shelf more often.

Best Regards,
ADP3

ADP3,
Would you mind elaborating about why the Hornady CD was disappointing???
I was planning on buying some if I could ever find them.
I shot some water filled milk jugs this past week. Used my NAA 22 MAG 1 5/8 barrel. A lot of fun, you should try it. The big surprise was the CCI 30 gr +V. Went thru 2 jugs and no expansion. So perfect it could have been reloaded. Just like a FMJ.
20 year old Winchester 40 gr JHP also went thru 2 jugs and was heavily deformed at the tip.
I won't be buying anymore CCI 30 gr +V ammo.
Jim C

[boots]

Where I am Hornady CD are the only ones I can get and I have not been disappointed.  I would try others if I could find. 

[bleak_window]

Whatever load you carry, put the first shot in the belly.  They should double over in pain like they just ate a red hot rivet.