Best Ammo for a Ruger PC4?

[KCinKC2004]

Does anyone know of any documentation tests for S&W .40 and a PC4 (or any long gun using .40? For that matter, if anyone has a PC4, what's your preferred ammo?

Thanks for your time/info.

[astronomer]

What little I know an have research about the PC4, because Iwas thinking about getting one in the near future, the 16 inch increases the speed an foot pounds of energy about 15%-20% out of A 16 inch barrel more than the hand gun with A 4 inch barrel, I would use the 155gr or 165gr bullet, any american ammo like federal, winchester, remington, ect. but I would not use sellier +bellot or wolf ammo in this fine Carbine, no way ! an for as cleaning, I would basic field strip it , I would not take it comepleatly apart, to the smallest peace. Inew A friend that did that A he had to take it to A gunsmith to get it back in one piece. it's A great gun. well I hope this help's A little. good luck.

[guncats]

not sure about the 40, but in a Hi-point 955 carbine the 16" bbl generate about 50% more ft.lb than a standard 4" pistol. That makes the 9mm from a carbine as powerful as a 357mag from a handgun.

the 40 carbine should do about the same, 50% more energy than a pistol.

[astronomer]

Guncats I hope your right , an I am wrong, that's great new's for me , I was thinking about the pc4 . the 40 s+w with 155 gr out of A pistol say 400 foot pounds of energy x say 40 or 50 % = around 800 F.P.E. that would be close to say A m1-30.cal. carbine at 800 to 900 F.P.E. that's A mighty big increase for A pistol caliber, all the balistics I have seen an read Inculding L.E. Balistics with 165 gr. rem. gold saber show about A 20% increase, but like Isaid I could be wrong, no big deal should be enough to stop the bad guy. the hi-point how well do they hold up Guncats ? I read in Gun Test back in 2002 they rate the hi-point best buy , can you get high cap magazines for the 9mm hi-point ?

[KCinKC2004]

Hi-Points and high cap. magazines? I've tried to searh for some outlets for the mags. but I couldn't find anything. But, for that matter, I can't find any outlets for high cap magazines for the PC9 or the PC4s. I'm still searching for worthy .40 S&W ammo too for the PC4.

Any clues about the ammo and/or the magazines that will fit the Ruger PC 4 or 9?

[rugmar]

I have a PC9. I've bought a few 15 rd mags and 2 20 rd mags made by Mec-Gar. They all work fine. I'm pretty sure you can get 30 rd mags from the same company. It escapes me at the moment where I got the mags but I did find them online. I'm sure a search for Mec-Gar will produce some sources.

[gunrun45]

I've shot most of the HP loads through mine and love it. Its a great companion for my 40 ruger handgun (interchangable mags). Not the best performer at over 100 yards but serves well as a carbine for my handgun and comfortably extending the range of the handgun round out to 75 to 100 yards.

[guncats]

40cal: 400 ft.lb x 150% = 600 ft.lb

15rd mags are available for hi-point, single stag extra long, about $20 each.

PC-40 is not a good choice, the hi-caps are only 11rd, not really that "hi". well, unless you live in cali and can only use 10rd mags, then the 40 is great.

PC-9 is great if you can retro a Suomi 71rd drum for it. it will still balance well.

[Ferdinand]

As far as ammo goes; I would lean towards slower burning powders. If you are buying commercial ammo instead of reloading, that will be tough to figure out. The longer tube will take full advantage of the longer burn. HS-6 or Blue Dot would probably be good choices.

[GreasyStool]

I will chrono some loads for it. I have one too. Factory stuff (Remington/Federal 155gr JHP's go around 1120+- a few out of a Beretta 96D.) I don't remember what the it did out of the Carbine. I just got a Lead Mould from RCBS for the .40. RCBS 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 40-180-FN 40 S&W and 10mm (401 Diameter) 180 Grain Flat Nose
(http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/330120 (http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/330120)). I will let you know. I got a CZ-75, Sig 229 and a Ruger PC-4 all in .40. Go buy the Shooting Times March 2005 issue, it has good reloading info on the .40. I like the 135Gr HP's and FMJ's that are out there. Out of my CZ, it shoots like a .22 and is just as accurate for small pests. I have shot the Silvertip 180's, Rainer 135gr FMJ and 165 JHP's, Sierra 150's Remington Golden Sabers in 165. plus some I don't remember. The 180's are really for the 10 MM. The don't expand reliably in the .40. They say the 165's in the .40 are the most accurate. I bought the mould just to goof around with. I cast for everything I have, might as well do the .40 too.

Foot-Pounds Energy:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/resc...php/energy.htm (http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources.../php/energy.htm)

Did a little chrono today:

Ruger PC-4 Factory Remigton 155 gr JHP: Energy of 651 foot-pounds for a 155 grain bullet at 1375 fps.
1375fps
1356fps
1357fps
1372fps

Ruger PC-4 180 gr Cast RCBS 5.5 grs Unique:Energy of 484 foot-pounds for a 180 grain bullet at 1100 fps.
1126fps
1100fps
1148fps
1104fps
1117fps
1121fps

Ruger PC-4 180 gr Cast RCBS 5. grs Unique:
1062fps
1020fps
1030fps
992fps
959fps

Ruger PC-4 165gr JHP Rainer 6. grs Unique:
1090fps
1113fps

Ruger PC-4 135gr FMJ Rainer 6. grs Unique:
1042fps

CZ-75 Remigton 155 gr JHP:Energy of 433 foot-pounds for a 155 grain bullet at 1121 fps
1121fps
1133fps
1127fps

CZ-75 180 gr Cast RCBS 5.5 grs Unique:Energy of 436 foot-pounds for a 180 grain bullet at 1044 fps.
1039fps
1044fps

http://perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=45840


Below is a 50Yd shot of 5 180 Gr cast RCBS and 5 Rainer 165 Gr JHP's same point of impact. 2.4" Circle.

[Storm]

The best performing round per OSS data is the 165 gr. Remington Golden Saber. Velocity rating is 1150 FPS from a 4" test barrel. I would agree with Ferdinand about HS-6 and particularly Blue Dot for higher velocity loads. Hodgdon Longshot is capable of achieving impressive velocity. So are VV3N37, N350 and 3N38. Data may be the difficulty. In the case of Longshot, it will provide near 10mm velocities and if you like 135s, Hodgdon lists a max charge of 12.0 grs @ 1480 FPS from a 4" test barrel at 32,400 PSI. There are also a couple of Magnum powders you can use, but they require a Magnum primer. Ramshot Silhouette in particular!;)