In article <[email hidden]>,
Larry Hodges said:WillBrink said:Gents, some very informative info from Dr. Gary Roberts over at
Tactical Forums (a highly recommended site BTW) has just completed
some very extensive ballistics testing with MANY major handgun and
rifle calibers using LE/Defensive ammunition (Gold Dot, Ranger, Fed.
Tactical/HST, Corbon, Hornady AMAX, Partition Gold, etc.) as per the
FBI/IWBA (International Wound Ballistics Association) standards--bare
gelatin, 4 layers denim, auto glass, etc.--with terminal performance
results (expansion, penetration, weight retention, accuracy, etc.)
and I just thought this would be very useful information for all
those interested in bullets/terminal ballistics. Enjoy:
http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-b...c;f=78;t=000964
AND
http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-b...c;f=78;t=000963
Sounds interesting, but the links are dead.
[censored], so they are. Here's one of the posts by Dr. Roberts at the
tactical forums but it's harder to read in the format below.
_______________________________________
For the first time in over a year, we were able to conduct some LE
focused terminal performance testing in 10% ordnance gel:
------------------------------------------------
Out of a 2² J-frame:
..38 Sp Safestop 148 gr plated WC, standard pressure, ave vel=744f/s
BG: pen=20²+, RD=0.36², RW=148.1gr
Denim: pen=19.0², RD=0.37², RW=149.1gr
auto windshield: pen=14.2², RD=0.44², RW=140.9gr
..38 Sp Speer 135 gr +P JHP Gold Dot (53921), ave vel=856f/s
BG: pen=13.1², RD=0.56², RW=134.5gr
4 layer denim: pen=13.6², RD=0.53², RW=134.1gr
auto windshield: pen=9.4², RD=0.51², RW=129.6gr
These two .38 sp loads tested were specifically crafted for 2² BUG
revolvers; they offer the best terminal performance of any loads we have
ever seen fired from a J-frame and can both be strongly recommended for
BUG use. The Safestop WC is milder shooting and offers better barrier
performance; the Gold Dot JHP offers the most reliable expansion we have
seen from a 2², but recoils more and does not handle intermediate
barriers as well. Pick the one you preferŠ
------------------------------
..357 Mag Win 180 gr Partition Gold (S357P) from S&W 686 4²
BG: vel=1075, pen=18.1², RD=.57², RW=171.1gr
4 layer denim: vel=1090 f/s, pen=20+², RD=0.53, RW=175.6gr
auto windshield: vel=1072, pen=20+², RD=0.39, RW=178.0gr
------------------------
9 mm Corbon 100 gr +P PowerBall 1555 f/s from G17
BG: pen=10.9², RD=0.60², RW=93.9gr
4 layer denim: pen=11.4², RD=0.58², RW=97.5gr
The mighty 4.7² of pen after the auto windshield was not comfortingŠ
..40 S&W Corbon 135 gr Powerball from S&W 4006
BG: vel=1362 f/s, pen=11.6², RD=0.65², RW=131.4gr
4 layer denim: vel=1359 f/s, pen=12.1², RD=0.65², RW=131.9gr
auto windshield: vel=1365 f/s, pen=7.9², RD=0.61², RW=103.6gr
..45 ACP Corbon 135 gr +P Powerball from 1911
BG: vel=1230 f/s, pen=12.1², RD=0.70², RW=158.8gr
4 layer denim: vel=1267 f/s, pen=11.8², RD=0.66², RW=159.7gr
auto windshield: vel=1251 f/s, pen=5.5², RD=0.73², RW=143.5gr
The frequent core-jacket separations and rounded leading edges of the PB
loads are a concern, as is their poor terminal performance after
intermediate barrier penetration. We were frankly unimpressed with these
loads. If you have to use Corbon handgun loads, stick with their DPX
loadings of the superb Barnes XPB all copper bullets.
----------------------------
9mm Fed 147 gr JHP HST (P9HST2) from G17:
BG: vel=1037f/s, pen=11.9², RD=0.64², RW=147.8gr
4 layer denim: vel=1049f/s, pen=14.7², RD=0.54², RW=147.5gr
auto windshield: vel=1042 f/s, pen=13.4², RD=0.53², RW=140.4gr
..40 S&W Fed 180 gr JHP HST (P40HST1) from S&W 4006
BG: vel=960 f/s, pen=12.6², RD=.65², RW=181.1gr
4 layer denim: vel=961 f/s, pen=15.6², RD=0.62, 181.3 gr
auto windshield: vel=904 f/s, pen=15.2², RD=0.47², RW=180.4gr
..45 ACP Fed 230 gr +P JHP HST (P45HST1) from 1911
BG: vel=926 f/s, pen=12.6², RD=.74², RW=231.8gr
4 layer denim: vel=915 f/s, pen=15.4², RD=0.67, 231.1 gr
auto windshield: vel=918 f/s, pen=19.7², RD=0.54², RW=228.6gr
As previously reported, the initial production Federal HST bullets
failed to expand reliably in denim testing. The new versions appear to
have solved this deficiency and offer good terminal performance across
the spectrum.
-- Note: When reporting the RD of handgun bullets like the Federal HST,
Nosler Partition Gold, and Barnes XPB, it is important to recall that
the correct RD is the average of the SMALLEST and LARGEST measurements
taken at the leading face of the bullet. Several recent tests seem to be
incorrectly reporting the expansion of these types of bullets,
improperly using only the largest measurement to offer an exaggerated RD
size.
The Win 124 gr +P Ranger Talon (RA124TP) load carries on in the
outstanding fashion that has been the hallmark of the Ranger-T loads.
From a G17:
BG: vel=1242f/s, pen=13.0², RD=0.62², RW=114.7gr
4 layer denim: vel=1238f/s, pen=13.0², RD=0.59², RW=116.8gr
Auto windshields: vel=1235 f/s, pen=18.9², RD=0.50², RW=117.5gr
Win 147 gr JHP Ranger Talon (RA9T) from G17
BG: vel=987f/s, pen=15², RD=0.59², RW=148.1gr
4 layer denim: vel=1005f/s, pen=15.7², RD=0.55², RW=144.1gr
Win 230 gr +P JHP Ranger Talon (RA45TP) from 1911
BG: vel=950f/s, pen=15.7², RD=0.59², RW=195.5gr
4 layer denim: vel=958f/s, pen=15.2², RD=0.72², RW=230.2gr
Note: During the BG test with the RA45TP, some over expansion with
folding back of the petals, along with fragmentation was observed,
resulting in less expansion than usually seen with this bullet-probably
as a result of the velocity being on the hot side. The bullet worked
perfectly in the denim testing.
------------------------------------------------
..223 BH loaded Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP from a 16² 1/7:
BG: vel=2685f/s, pen=18.5², Max TC=11.5 cm @ 11.5 cm, RD=0.41², RW=52.5gr
auto windsheld: vel=2757 f/s, pen=18.9², RD=0.32², RW=35.4gr
The .223 BH loaded Nosler 60 gr Partition JSP has been recommended as a
barrier load; while it performs better than most .223 loads, it is not
as good as the 55/62 gr TBBC bullets for intermediate barriers and
should be considered a distant second place.
-----------------------------
6.8 mm Barnes 85gr X from 16² 1/10
BG: vel=2865 f/s, pen=19.3², Max [email hidden], RD=0.53², RW=85.6gr
Auto windshield: vel=2851 f/s, pen=19.3², RD=0.32², RW=79.7grgr
6.8 mm Sierra 110 gr JSP Pro-Hunter from 16² 1/10
BG: vel=2500 f/s, pen=15.6², Max [email hidden], RD=0.64², RW=107.5gr
Auto windshield: vel=2551 f/s, pen=12.2², RD=0.46², RW=73.6gr
This is the finest 6.8 mm hunting bullet we have yet tested--I would be
very comfortable using it on game up to 300 lbs or so. It will also be a
great barrier round for LE. Heck, it is just a GREAT bullet periodŠ
6.8 mm Accura 115 gr TMJ from 16² 1/10
BG: vel=2426 f/s, pen=14.8², Max TC=10 cm@8-16cm, RD=0.55², RW=74.4gr
auto windshield: vel=2368 f/s, pen=8.7², RD=0.58², RW=63.7²
The Accura TMJ bullet has NO exposed lead, NO internal or external
hollow cavities, readily fragments, and is reasonably priced. Like many
OTM and FMJ loads, it offers relatively poor terminal performance
through glass intermediate barriers. (Note, this was a downloaded test
version--the current Barrett factory load is running 2635 f/s)
All of these 6.8 mm loads were very impressive--all offered
substantially superior terminal performance compared to all 5.56 mm and
7.62x39mm loads we have tested.
--------------------
7.62x39mm Saspan 124 gr JHP (Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant) from 16² AKMS
BG: vel=2297 f/s, pen=15.0², Max TC=10cm@18cm, RD=0.63², RW=100.5gr
7.62x39mm 125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip from Georgia Arms fired in 16² AKMS
BG: vel=2174 f/s, pen=20+², Max TC=7cm@8 cm, small diameter TC and poor
fragmentation pattern resulted in sub-optimal terminal performance.
Excessive flash and dirty powder. Note--load is advertised as "2400 fps".
7.62x39mm 154 gr Wolff JSP from 16² AKMS
BG: vel=2257 f/s, pen=20+², Max TC=7.5cm@10cm, unexpanded lead core
exited block.
The 7.62x39mm loads offered the most disappointments of anything tested.
The 124 gr Saspan/Ulyanovsk JHP was the only 7.62x39 mm load in this
test which offered acceptable terminal performance. We had hoped the 125
gr PT load would bring the 7.62x39mm up to 6.8 mm type performance--it
does not.
--------------
..308 110gr Hornady JSP from 18² M1A
BG: vel=3087 f/s, pen=16.9², Max TC = 8 cm@10 cm, RD=0.63², RW=56.4gr
Despite the relatively high velocity, not particularly impressive
performance, especially compared to the 150-155 gr loads.
..308 125 gr Nosler BT from Georgia Arms from 18² M1A
BG: 2847 f/s, pen=16.1², Max TC=11cm@10cm, RD=0.47², RW=72.6gr
Again, relatively poor performance from the 125 gr BT, as well as being
a flashy and dirty load. Note--load is advertised as "3000 fps".
..308 Lapua 150 gr JSP from 18² M1A
BG: vel=2743 f/s, pen=20+², Max TC =10cm@11cm, RD=0.50², RW=92.5gr
Good traditional hunting terminal performance similar to the Sierra Game
King that was previously reviewed by Fackler, as well as discussed in
our reports.
..308 Barnes 168 gr X from 18² M1A
BG: vel=2576 f/s, pen=20+², Max TC =12cm@12cm, RD=0.57², RW=168.2gr
auto windshield: vel=2574 f/s, pen=20+², RD=0.42², RW=148.2gr
Pretty decent barrier penetration and a good hunting load; the new
Barnes Triple Shock bullets are even better.
..308 168 gr Hornady AMAX PT loaded by HSM from 18² M1A
BG: vel=2418 f/s, pen=18.1², RD=0.56², RW=144.5gr
Same outstanding performance as previously reported with BH and Hornady
loads using the AMAX.
Note--a 168 gr AMAX was recently used to stop a hostile shooter in a LE
OIS incident; the crossing shot to the torso remained in the suspect and
created impressive damage on autopsy, with the actual damage pattern in
tissue exactly as predicted by 10% gel studies.
..308 180 gr Nosler Accubond loaded by BH and fired in 18² M1A
BG: vel=2499 f/s, pen=20+², Max TC=12cm@7-22cm, RD=0.56², RW=149.5gr
auto windshield: vel=2509 f/s, pen=20+², RD=0.54², RW=126.6gr
Currently, many LE precision marksmen rely upon the Federal Tactical 165
gr bonded JSP load using the TBBC bullet for intermediate glass
barriers. While the 165gr TBBC offers excellent terminal performance,
accuracy is somewhat lacking. The new 180 gr Nosler/BH Accubond loading
couples superb terminal performance through glass with sub-MOA accuracy
and can be considered equally acceptable for glass barriers as the TBBC.
The Accubond should also make a superb hunting bullet for any game
encountered in the lower 48 states. For rural agencies, this might be
the only load needed for LE counter-sniping; it is important to realize
that like the TBBC, the Accubond will ALWAYS exit the target, so
awareness of the backstop is critical when employing this round. For
urban use, the 155 gr AMAX is still probably the best primary choice,
with the Accubond/TBBC reserved for glass and other intermediate
barriers.
--
Will Brink @ http://www.brinkzone.com/
