Velocities & Distance of Use for PCCs

[djmay71]

PCC- Pistol Calibre Carbine.

I understand the concept of the PCC- in most (but not all) applications- a non-restricted black rifle, meant for cheap plinking, when compared to the cost of typical black rifle chamberings- .223/5.56 (don't turn this into a 'can 5.56 be used in .223' thread) and .308 Win.

Common chamberings of PCCs are 9mm, 40S&W, and 45ACP, although there are some more. Another bonus for handgun owners of certain makes- their handgun mags may fit into this long rifle.

Now that we're all clear on what a PCC is, and the types of ammo in question- I ask two questions in relation to velocities and distance of use for PCCs.

1) What is the muzzle velocity of 9mm/40S&W/45ACP, when travelling, say from a 18" barrel? Does having the longer barrel benefit said cartridge, when, in reality, it was designed for and its main use is meant for a 4.5" barrel in a handgun?

2) For each of the chamberings listed abouve (9mm/40S&W/45ACP)- what is the ideal distance to be shooting at?

 

[AlbertaGunslinger]

Okay, in answer to your first question, yes having a longer barrel does provide additional velocity from the muzzle which is generally beneficial. Check out www.ballisticsbytheinch.com and they have detailed info on many different pistol calibres and their velocities out of different length barrels.

Your second question is a little more difficult to answer. The projectiles used in most pistol ammo are not designed to be aerodynamically efficient like rifle bullets are, they are designed to cause damage through the mass of the bullet. Despite the fact that you will get additional velocity out of a rifle barrel and the resulting flatter trajectory(compared to a handgun), the heavy pistol bullet will not come close to providing the stable flight that you would get from a 55 grain rifle bullet travelling at 3000+ fps. That being said I think the general idea out there is that PCC's should be used within 100 metres(although a good shot could push them beyond that). 9mm will be the most accurate at longer range because of the bullet weight and higher velocity compared to 45acp which is slower and heavier.

 

[tiriaq]

The ones I have seen used have useful accuracy to 100m, definition of useful depending on the use.
There have been reports here that 9mm JR carbines shoot very well.
A .45 will show less velocity improvement than the others.
In my experience, 9mm seems noticeably snappier from a 19" barrel than from an 8" one. The action seemed to be given more oomph to cycle. Didn't chronongraph velocities, though.
At longer ranges, the ballistic inefficiency of the projectiles will be significant.
I know my .44 Magnum carbine is accurate, but its trajectory is quite an arc.