short barrel length vs velocity vs bullet size

[fightingquaker13]

Here's a question that should have occured to me before I bought my shiny new .357 derringer. Its a Bond Arms .38/.357 and I love it (really, really love it). I got mine used so the .357 was what I got for a very good deal but they come with 14 different caliber interchangeable barrells. I know we're all sick of .45 vs 9mm vs .357 etc, but the derringer raises an interesting point. Given the short burn time in a derringer length barrell, probably 2" in a 3" (if that), does velocity matter that much. In a 4" or 6" obviously.But with the short burn would you be better off with something big and slow like .45lc or even .45acp or a 44-40, if I were manlier, than a highV round that doesn't have a chance to get to highV? This seems pertinent with all the short barrell pocket pistols out there that would seem to make these old arguments obsolete. (besides I'm bored).
fightingquaker13

[tombogan03884]

A derringer would only be used at short range, so I don't THINK it will matter.

[ericire12]

I would think that faster is better for in a derringer because of the short barrel...... The idea being, get up to as high of a speed as possible, and do it as quickly as possible before you run out of barrel.

[MikeBjerum]

I believe both tom and eric make good points.

A short barrel gun is going to have many inherent limitations, so there are some things that just don't matter (like long range accuracy, full burn of powder, etc.).  I need to take my J frame to the chrony and see how much advantage I get between .38 special and +p.  I know I get more felt recoil with the +p, but I also get more noise increase with it than I do my 5" revolver.  Muzzle flash is also unbelievable with the +p, which tells me that the noise and flash are both being caused by powder that has no affect on the bullet (needs more than a 2" barrel to burn).

I have a theory that a person that uses a short barrel gun could play with larger calibers, with light bullets, and lower powder loads.  My theory is based on the idea behind the Winchester Short Mag.  They are shortening and fattening their cases to expose a wider base of powder to the flame, thus increasing efficiency of the powder burn.  However, that brings up the question of the average guy on the street making custom loads for self defense ... best left to the manufacturers to figure out, but still a thought.

[fightingquaker13]

M58

I'd be curious to hear that .38 vs ..38 +p result. Thats the cool thing about derringers, at least the Bond arms, which are like the Ruger of Derringers. By that I mean they're built like a tank and you can run anything from .22 to 10mm or 45lc, without changing the size or profile. All the compromises we have to make with semi-auto mouse guns go away, it'll eat anything. I mean would anyone buy an LCP in .380 if they could get it in .45? With the Bond, you can focus on ballistics, the only limiting factor being the short barrell and 2 shot over under configuration. But for a gun that we'll probly use at ten feet concealabilty and "stopping" power seem key. I'd really like to hear more folks weigh in.
fightingquaker13

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[ericire12]

Thats because the Bonds are about the same size and weight of a tank

[2HOW]

The GAP ammo was developed partly for this reason. Higher pressures = better performance out of short barrels.