Topic of the Month:
December 2001
The Fastest Handgun in the
World?
3,000 F.P.S. from a 10-inch Barrel.
The 6.35 X 47 Contender with 3X Lobo scope
Just about every time you pick up a gun
magazine you can read about a new handgun cartridge that is faster and more potent than
any on the market. Over the years there have been many powerful cartridges developed, such
as the 375 JDJ, 454 Casull, 44 Rem. Mag., 50 Action Express and 500 Linebaugh, to name a
few. However, the fastest handgun, with a barrel of 10-inches or less, was developed in
the late 1970’s.
This handgun is based on the 10-inch barrel
Thompson/Contender chambered for a wildcat cartridge about the size of the .222 Remington
Magnum. In fact the cartridge is the .222 Remington Magnum necked out to hold a .25
caliber bullet. The cartridge is called the 6.35 X 47 with a bullet diameter of 6.35mm and
a case length of 47mm. A sketch of the cartridge is shown below.
Cartridge drawing of the 6.35 X 47
This cartridge was originally designed for
rifle use and produced outstanding results for a cartridge of its size. A discussion of
this cartridge can be found in the RIFLE Magazine No. 37 and the February 1977 issue of
SHOOTING TIMES magazine. The adaptation of this cartridge to handgun use placed it in a
category almost by itself. This pistol cartridge, with carefully prepared handloads, can
develop muzzle velocities in excess of 3,000 f.p.s. and, with the heavier bullets, produce
energies greater than that generated by the .44 Magnum. This coupled with its relatively
mild recoil and its ability to handle cast bullets well, makes it a very versatile pistol
cartridge.
The 10-inch, 25-caliber barrel, used for
the 6.35 X 47, was purchased from Thompson/Center, unchambered. The chamber was cut using
a 6 X 47 reamer, followed by opening the neck area of the chamber from 6mm to .25 caliber
with a neck reamer.
Cartridge cases for the 6.35 X 47 were
easily formed from .222 Remington Magnum brass by simply firing a .222 Remington Magnum
round in the 6.35 X 47 chamber. The headspace is the same on both cartridges. Upon firing
the neck opens nicely to 25 caliber and the newly formed cartridge is ready for sizing and
loading. Four, once-fired, cases were shipped to RCBS and they supplied a set of reloading
dies for the 6.35 X 47.
Initial loads for the 6.35 X 47 were
obtained using an early version of the Load from a Disk Ballistics program featured at
this web site. Generally, the most accurate loads were obtained with IMR-4895, IMR-4198,
N201, Reloader 7, IMR-3031 and H335. Highest velocities were obtained with
Winchester-Western 680, IMR-4198 and Reloader 7. The highest velocity was obtained with
23.5 grs. of Winchester-Western 680 powder behind the 60 gr. Hornady SP bullet. This
combination produced a blazing 3,022 f.p.s. from the 10-inch barrel. All jacketed bullets
gave good results, with the Sierra 75 gr. HP and the Sierra 100 gr. spitzer bullets
showing some advantage in accuracy.
A ballistic comparison between some of
today’s hot pistol cartridges is given below.
| Caliber/Bullet |
BC |
Velocity f.p.s. |
Energy (ft.-lb.) |
Drop (in) |
| Muzzle |
50 yd. |
100 yd. |
Muzzle |
50 yd. |
100 yd. |
50 yd. |
100 yd. |
6.35
X 47
100 gr. |
.376 |
2497 |
2380 |
2267 |
1384 |
1258 |
1141 |
0.7 |
3.0 |
.44
Magnum
240 gr. |
.205 |
1400 |
1275 |
1173 |
1044 |
866 |
733 |
2.4 |
10.1 |
.454
Casull
240 gr. |
.160 |
1850 |
1635 |
1446 |
1824 |
1425 |
1114 |
1.4 |
6.0 |
.41
Magnum
210 gr. |
.182 |
1400 |
1261 |
1152 |
914 |
741 |
619 |
2.4 |
10.2 |
.357
Rem. Max.
160 gr. |
.181 |
1800 |
1614 |
1447 |
1151 |
925 |
744 |
1.4 |
6.2 |
Note that the 6.35 X 47, with its higher
BC, has a higher velocity and more energy at 100 yards than any of the handgun
caliber’s shown and has less drop at all ranges. Handgun shooters looking for a
high-performance cartridge may well find it in the 6.35 X 47. This cartridge has proved
itself at the target range and in the field.
Shooters looking for more information on
the 6.35 X 47, as a pistol cartridge, can find it in the June, 1978 issue of GUNS magazine
and No. 85 HANDLOADER magazine. Remember to approach maximum loads with caution, as
pressures can rise quickly.
Watch our web site for the next topic of
interest "Terminal Ballistics." Until then, shoot safely and know where your
bullets are going.
Sincerely,
The Ballistician
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