10mm gelatin tests

[chopinbloc]

Buffalo Bore 180 gr Sierra Power Jacket




10mm Buffalo Bore 180 gr Sierra Power Jacket fired from 4.5" barrel EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 599.2 fps, 2.9"


Impact velocity: 1,311 fps
Penetration: 10.7"
Retained weight: 181.1 gr
Max expansion: 0.853"
Min expansion: 0.560"




Selway 180 gr JHP




10mm Selway 180 gr JHP fired from 4.5" barrel EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 599.2 fps, 2.9"


Impact velocity: 1,105 fps
Penetration: 12.9"
Retained weight: 175.2 gr
Max expansion: 0.678"
Min expansion: 0.600"






10mm 180 gr Winchester generic JHP hand load




10mm Winchester 180 gr generic JHP loaded over 10.0 gr of AA#7 fired from 4.5" barrel EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 599.2 fps, 2.9"

Impact velocity: 1,106 fps
Penetration: greater than 16"
Retained weight: N/A
Max expansion: N/A
Min expansion: N/A

The bullet experienced significant fragmentation and deviated from its path, exiting the block at about the 16" mark. A second shot performed similarly.

 

[SDGlock23]

Not bad, I would like to point out how the faster 1300 fps load penetrates less than the slower 180gr loads. I don't think 1300 fps is too fast, but for some 180gr bullets it is, meaning penetration suffers. Some can't even handle much more than 1100 fps from my own tests. I load for the 10mm too and I don't see much need in exceeding 1200-1250 fps with most .40 cal 180gr JHP bullets, because even then they're being pushed a good bit faster than they're designed to, which is around 1000 fps from a typical factory .40 S&W load.

 

[chopinbloc]

Well said. I like 1,200ish for 180 gr but you're right, they aren't really designed for that sort of speed. It's a real testament to modern bullet design that more of them don't just come right apart.

 

[ku4hx]

Additional jello test results here: http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/10mm.htm

 

[Montana Trapper]

Has anyone done this with 200+ grain FMJ's or Hard cast? Seems like the non expanding bullets would penetrate much deeper.

 

[RedAlert]

Question: Is the "BB: 599.2 FPS; 2.9" data" the calibration figure for the ballistics gel?

If so, is it all one batch used on all three tests?

If different batches, how did you get three readings of exactly the same data?

Thanks for the tests, very informative.

 

[ku4hx]

Has anyone done this with 200+ grain FMJ's or Hard cast? Seems like the non expanding bullets would penetrate much deeper.

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPNqAUn1nGw
One problem with all these tests is the varying density of the gelatin. BB calibration tests, when done, are all over the place. Without calibration consistency, conclusions and comparisons are called into question.

 

[ATLDave]

Impressive that the Sierra bullet held together at that speed.

 

[chopinbloc]

Same batch. Technically speaking, each block should be calibrated separately even though they are from the same batch but this is an informal test and I am not a perfeshinul. Calibration standards are 590 fps +/- 15 fps and a depth of 1.95"-3.74". As you can see this block is at or just below the lower end of the calibration range. Based on previous experience, I don't believe the results would vary by more than an inch, though.