Ballistic gelatin test results : 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok (From a Derringer)

[Brass Fetcher]

Special thanks to J.K. for funding this test in full.

Cartridge : 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok JHP

Firearm : Bond Arms .45ACP Derringer with 3.0" barrel length

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 10.2cm @ 577 ft/sec (bare block), 10.0cm @ 578 ft/sec (denim block), 9.0cm @ 560 ft/sec (overpenetration))

Shot 1 - Impacted at 786 ft/sec, penetrated to 12.1" and was recovered at 0.697" average diameter and 225.1gr weight.

Shot 2 - Impacted at 794 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.3" (minimum) and was recovered at 0.447" average diameter and 230.1gr weight.

Shot 3 - Impacted at 771 ft/sec, penetrated 7.8" of ballistic gelatin, an interior wall and 2.4" into the 'legal liability' block. Bullet was recovered at 0.672" average diameter and 228.4gr weight.

 

[M1 Shooter]

Is that recovered diameter for shot 2 correct? 0.447? Did the bullet shrink somehow? Is that just a typo and its supposed to be 0.457 maybe?

 

[CPshooter]

wow.. shot 2 didn't even expand when shot through denim..

That's why shooting .45acp in sub 4" barrels scares me. At the same time, it was a 230gr. non +P round so maybe a 185gr or 200gr would have done better. I guess at the very least it would have made a .45 caliber hole right through somebody w/ 13" of penetration.

 

[Odd Job]

Is that recovered diameter for shot 2 correct? 0.447? Did the bullet shrink somehow? Is that just a typo and its supposed to be 0.457 maybe?

Several variables you must consider:

1) There is variation of bullet diameter according to the manufacturer (small variations).
2) The fired bullet may have a smaller diameter because of the swaging effect of the barrel. Remember the bullet has to be gripped and impressed by the rifling.
3) There may be differences in the measured diameter of the fired bullet if it is 'out of round' due to impact forces. I usually take two measurements and divide them by two. A further variable might be wide land impressions on the bullet which may give an artificially lower diameter reading, depending on the position of the calipers.
4) The bullet can lose material from its bearing surface/jacket as it travels down the barrel.

 

[Hypnogator]

Bullet #2 is why I switched from Hydra-Shoks to Tactical Bonded. Hydra-Shoks are a great design, but prone to fill up and not expand when penetrating heavy clothing. The rather huge hollow point of the Tactical Bonded and HST rounds do not.

FWIW, I carry the Federal Tactical Bonded because they are supposed to be formulated especially for short-barreled weapons. In the rare instances when I visit the People's Republic of New Jersey, I carry Federal 200-gr EFMJs.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

How are you carrying a gun in NJ?

 

[Odd Job]

How are you carrying a gun in NJ?

My guess is, he carries it in a holster

 

[Brass Fetcher]

"Somebody is wrong for that one!"

I'm guessing Hypnogator is a cop, elsewise they must be a king to be talking about CCW in New Jersey. I asked the State Police there about that - impossible to get, from what I have heard.