Gelatin test results

[5pins]

I just post everything on my Blog.

Here is the link to the Magtech 115gr 9mm +P+.

http://www.general-cartridge.com/blog/magtech-9mm-115gr-jhp-p-in-clear-ballistics-gel

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Federal 147gr JHP
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 934, 908fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

Unless I have lost count this should be lucky number seven in the budget 9 line up. This time we take a look at the Federal 147gr JHP. This is the "white box" version. Price for this ammo is also $13.99 per box and like many others tied for the lowest price.


Average five shot velocity from the Sig P229 was 934fps with a high of 950fps and a low of 923fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Sig P229

From the Nano, the five shot velocity was 908fps with a high of 919fps and a low of 898fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Beretta Nano

The first round from the Sig P229 hit the bare gel block at a velocity of 939fps and penetrated to 15.25 inches. Recovered weight was 141.4 grains and the recovered diameter was .56 inches. The second round had a velocity of 934fps and penetrated to 15 inches. The bullet expanded to .57 inches and had a recovered weight of 141.2 grains.



When fired in the gel block covered with heavy clothing the first round from the Sig had a velocity of 949fps and penetrated to 14.25 inches. The expansion was .39 inches and recovered weight was 140.8 grains. The bullet tumbled and was found base forward. Round two hit at 944fps and penetrated to 19 inches. It expanded to .47 inches and had a recovered weight of 141.1 grains.



From the Beretta Nano, the first round's velocity was 922fps and penetration was 15.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .54 inches and the recovered weight was 141.5 grains. Round two's velocity was 928fps and it also penetrated 15.5 inches. The expansion was .55 inches and recovered weight was 141.2 inches.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Federal 115gr JHP (XM9001)
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 1190, 1128fps
Gel Temperature 75 degrees.



Number eight in the series is the Federal XM9001 115gr JHP. This load is often compared to the +P+ 9pble and appears to use the same bullet but pushing then with less velocity and more penetration. It also comes in at $13.99 for a box of 50.



With the Sig 229, I got a five-shot average velocity of 1190fps with a high of 1198fps and a low of 1182fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Sig P229

Out of the Nano, the five shot velocity average was 1128fps with a high of 1151fps and a low of 1114fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Beretta Nano

The first round from the Sig P229 hit the bare gel block at a velocity of 1191fps and penetrated to 11.25 inches. The recovered diameter was .67 inches and weight was 115.2 grains. The second round's velocity was 1202fps and it penetrated to 11 inches. The recovered weight was 115.6 grains and its expansion was .66 inches.



In the gel covered with heavy clothing, the first round from the Sig the had a velocity of 1201fps and penetrated to 12.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .65 inches and the weight was 113.1 grains. Round two's velocity was 1220fps and it penetrated to 10.5 inches.  The recovered diameter was .67 inches and the recovered weight was also 113.1 grains.



Using the Beretta Nano the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1120fps and penetration of 11.5 inches. The recovered weight was 114.2 grains and the recovered diameter was .63 inches. Round two had a velocity of 1139fps and it penetrated to 11 inches. The bullet weight was 114.4 grains and the diameter was .64 inches.

[Kenk]

Awesome as always 5pins, thanks for all your efforts!

Ken

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Federal 115gr JHP Train + Protect
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 1102, 1056fps
Gel Temperature 75 degrees.

In the ninth load in the budget 9 series, we take a look at the Federal 115gr Train + Protect JHP. As near as I can tell this round uses the same 115 grain bullet as Federal 9pb, 9pble, and the XM9001. This load also comes in a little on the higher side of  $17.99 for a 50 round box.



From the Sig 229, I got an average velocity of 1102 with a high of 1110fps and a low of 1097fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Sig P229

From the Beretta Nano, I got a five shot average velocity of 1056fps with high of 1070fps and a low of 1045fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Beretta Nano

Using the Sig 229 the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1126fps and penetrated to 10.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .64 inches and the recovered weight of 114.8 grains. The second round had a velocity of 1111fps and penetrated to 11.5 inches, expanded to .62 inches and had a recovered weight of 115.4 grains.



In the heavy clothed gel, the first round from the Sig had a velocity of 1124fps and penetrated to 16.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .54 inches and it had a recovered weight of 115.0 grains. The second bullet's velocity was 1134fps and penetrated to 18 inches. The recovered diameter was .40 inches and the weight was 115.3 grains.



Shooting the Nano in the bare gel the first round had a velocity 1075fps and penetrated to 16 inches. The bullet had a recovered diameter of .41 inches and weighted 114.8 grains. The second round also had a velocity of 1075fps and penetrated to 11.75 inches. The recovered diameter was .59 inches and the recovered weight was 115.2 grains.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Remington 147gr JHP High Terminal Performance
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 895, 868fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

Number ten and the last of the budget 9 stuff for a while. I'm not going to test the Geco Hexagon round. If I had of done some research before buying it, I would have noticed it wasn't intended as a self-defense round. This one is the Remington 147gr JHP High Terminal Performance round. It cost $15.99 for a 50 round box but is currently $14.99 from Target Sports.



I handloaded this bullet early on when I started testing and had the same results. I only bought this ammo to see if the factory loaded stuff was the same bullet they were selling to handloaders. Turns out it is and performs just as poorly and I was pushing my handload at around 1000fps IIRC.



I got a five shot average velocity of 895fps from the Sig with a high of 905fps and a low of 885fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Sig P229

From the Beretta Nano, I got a five shot velocity of 868fps with a high of 888fps and a low of 859fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Beretta Nano

This part is going to be short. I fired two rounds from the Sig 229 in bare gel and both failed to expand. The velocity of the two rounds was 900fps and 902fps and penetration of 22.75 inches and 23.25 inches.

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Kahr MK9.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Browning 147gr BXP X-Point
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 947, 907 fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

On a recent trip to Cabela's, I walked through the ammunition section like I always do, and decided to pick up something new to try. One of them was the Browning 9mm 147gr BXP round. It comes in a 20 round box and it was priced at $17.99. 


From the Sig P229, I got an average velocity of 947fps with a high of 954fps and a low of 940fps. The Kahr MK9 gave me an average velocity of 907fps with a high of 913fps and a low of 902fps.


Ten yards off hand five shots with the Sig P229

The first round from the Sig hit the bare gel block at 964fps and penetrated to 18.5 inches. The recovered expansion was .49 inches and it lost considerable weight coming in at 133.4 grains. Round number two had a velocity of 940fps and penetrated to 18.75 inches. Recovered weight was 144.2 grains and it expanded to .56 inches.



Shooting through the heavy clothing the Sig two rounds had a velocity of 956 and 934fps and both passed through both gel blocks.

From the Kahr, in bare gel, the first round had a velocity of 917fps and penetrated to 16.5 inches. The recovered diameter was .54 inches and the recovered weight was 144.8 grains. Round number two's velocity was 896fps and its penetration was 18 inches. The recovered weight was 136.8 grains and the diameter was .46 inches.

[Kenk]

Thanks 5pins, as always, very informative : )

Ken

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P226
Barrel length: 4.4 inches
Ammunition: Underwood 9mm 147gr Hard Cast, .40 S&W Hard Cast
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average:1085, 942fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

The discussion of what to carry in the field seems to come up often on the various online forums. It normally revolves around the best caliber and load for bear protection. I would say most peoples first reaction if asked, is to pick a .44 magnum or some other large bore revolver. When talking about semi-auto pistols the 10mm is normally the default answer. The .45 ACP/ .45 Super is often brought up as a viable option to the 10mm and as we have seen in my past test with the right load it can perform very well. To a lesser extent, the option of the 9mm or .40 S&W will be considered.


With is in mine and after testing the Underwood Xtreme Penetrator I grab some hard cast loadings from Underwood. Two of them were the 9mm 147gr +P hard cast and the .40 S&W 200gr hard cast.

Underwood lists their hard cast bullets as a.

"Hi -Tek Coated Hard Cast Flat Nose 21 BHN".



"Hi-Tek coating allows you to enjoy the benefits of a hard-cast projectile and the cleanliness normally seen in copper jacketed/plated rounds.

Hi-Tek is a polymer based compound* that not only reduces fouling in your barrel, but also substantially reduces airborne lead contamination (allowing for use in some indoor ranges). The elimination of the wax lubrication combined with the reduced airborne lead contamination results in considerably less smoke produced with each shot. Hard cast flat nose bullets are non-expanding, powerfully penetrative
bullets that are designed with your woods defense needs in mind; whether fending off wild hogs or black bears, the hard cast flat nose bullets
are consistently effective in taking down any wild animals that you may encounter".

Both of these rounds were shot out of a Sig P226 with a 4.4-inch barrel.


Starting with the 9mm I got an average 5 shot velocity of 1085fps with a high of 1091fps and a low of 1081fps. This was 15fps lower than the advertised velocity of 1100fps. The recoil was very manageable and about what you would expect from a 9mm +P. The spent cases didn't appear to show any signs of excessive pressure when compared to the Winchester "white box" 124gr standard pressure. There were no malfunctions or failures with this round. 


With the .40 S&W, I got an average 5 shot velocity of 942fps with a high of 952fps and a low of 938fps. This was 58fps lower than the advertised velocity of 1000fps. Like the 9mm this load was very controllable. Spent cases didn't show any signs of excessive pressure when compared to the Federal 180gr HST loading. There were also no malfunctions or failures when shooting this round.


5 rounds offhand at 10 yards 9mm


5 rounds offhand at 10 yards .40 S&W


9mm case comparison


.40 S&W case comparison

So how will they perform in the gel? To find out I used the same set up I used with the Underwood Xtreme Penetrator testing. Four 16 inch blocks of Clear Gel for the two bare gel shots and two through the 20 gauge steel plate at 30 degrees.


Round one from the 9mm was shot int the upper left corner of the gel block and passed completely through the four gel blocks and was caught with the body armor placed at the end. The only other round to pass through all four blocks was the Double Tap 10mm 200gr FMJ. The velocity of the first round was 1074fps and the recovered weight was 147.1 grains. Round two in the bare gel was shot in the upper right-hand corner had a velocity of 1086fps and also pass through all four blocks of gel. The recovered weight was 146.4 grains



Shooting the 9mm through the sheet metal the first round penetrated to 18.75 inches. Velocity was not recorded and the recovered weight was 137.1 grains. The second rounds velocity was 1091fps and it penetrated to 18.5 inches. The Recovered weight was 134 grains.



Now on to the .40 S&W. The first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 958fps and penetrated to 52 inches. The recovered weight was196.6 grains. Round two hit the bare gel blocks at a velocity of 959fps and penetrated to 52.5 inches. The recovered weight was also 196.6 grains.



When shooting through the sheet metal the velocity of the first round was 955fps and penetrated to a depth of 17 inches. The recovered weight was 190.6 grains. The second round had a velocity of 959fps and penetrated to 16.25 inches. It's recovered weight was 188.4 grains.



If we compare these rounds to the 9mm and .40 S&W Xtreme Penetrators that the hard cast bullets in 9mm penetration completely went through all four blocks, 64 inches, of gel. The Xtreme 115gr penetrators went to 47 and 47.5 inches. That's around 17 inches or one complete block of gel. Through the sheet metal, the depths were much closer. The Underwood's hard cast went 18.5 and 18.75 inches to the Xtreme's 16.5 and 18 inches. Closer but the hard cast still beat the Xtreme Penetrators.


With the .40 S&W, the hard cast beat the Xtreme bullets by a large margin, 52 and 52.5 inches to the Xtreme's 22.5 and 23 inches. Through the sheet metal, the Xtreme proved to be the better penetrator with 17 and 18.5 inches compared to the hard cast 16.25 and 17. Better, but not by much.   



http://www.general-cartridge.com/blog

[5pins]

Test Gun: Colt 1911.
Barrel length: 5 inches.
Ammunition: Underwood .45 ACP +P and .45 Super 255gr Hard Cast.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 891, 1078fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

The second installment of the Underwood hard cast woods load we take a look at the .45 ACP+P and the .45 Super. Both of these loads use the same 255gr hard cast Hi-Tek coated bullet.

I got a five shot average velocity of 891fps with a high of 902fps and low 888fps. Underwood lists their velocity of 925fps for this load.


Ten yards offhand five shots .45 ACP +P

With the .45 Super load, I got an average velocity of 1078fps with a high of 1082fps and a low of 1073fps. The advertised velocity from Underwood for this load is 1075fps.


Ten yards offhand five shots .45 Super

I used the same pistol with both of these loads even though the pistol is not set up for the Super round. I did have one failure to feed.



The .45 ACP didn't show any sign of excessive pressure even though it's listed as +P. The .45 Super, on the other hand, flatted primers and primer flow into the firing pin hole.



Starting with the +P loading the first round had a velocity of 873fps and penetrated to 53.5 inches. The recovered weight was 247.8 grains. The second round hit the gel block at a velocity of 895fps and penetrated to 50 inches. It's recovered weight was 247.6 grains.



The first round through the sheet metal had a velocity of 906fps and penetrated to 21.25 inches. It's recovered weight was 247.6 grains. Round two had a velocity of 920fps and penetrated to 18.75 inches. The recovered weight of the second round was 249.3 grains.



With the Super load, the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1072fps and passed completely through all four gel blocks and was not recovered. I really didn't expect that much penetration so I didn't put a piece of body armor behind it. Learning from the first shot, I put the armor behind the last block and shot another round into the bare gel. It also passed through but bounced off the body armor and was found on the floor next to me. It's velocity was 1075fps and the recovered weight was 251.3 grains.



Through the angled sheet metal the first round had a velocity of 1059fps and penetrated to 28.5 inches. The recovered weight was 242.8 grains. The second round passed through the sheet metal at a velocity of 1061fps and exited the side of the block at the 24 inches mark.



These loads exceeded my expectations by quite a bit. The .45 Super round is only the third round to pass completely through all 64 inches of gel. Sharing that title with the Underwood 147gr hard cast and the Double Tap 200gr FMJ 10mm.

The +P version was also the winner in the .45 ACP department with a max penetration of 53.5 inches, about 11 more inches then the next best, the Cutting Edge solid at just a little over 42 inches.

[Kenk]

Wow, nice work as always, Thanks!

Ken

[Trapper6L]

The results of the tests using the Remington 147gr HP is identical to what we've experienced for years using the Remington HP 115gr at max handloads. WE've used the 9mm with the Remington HPs forever it seems to dispatch varmints in snares. That's anything from a badger, coyote to a 600lb hog. Now I'm sure most of you have seen a rodeo, or at least you thought you've seen a rodeo. Try a 600lb feral hog on the end of an 8ft snare hooked by the snout. Everything within a 16ft circle will be shredded- cactus, trees, brush etc. Trust me, it's a rodeo!

[5pins]

Test Gun: Sig P229, Kahr MK9.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Winchester 147gr Defender Train & Defender.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 906, 846 fps Defender / 909, 867 fps Train & Defend.
Gel Temperature 72 degrees.

About two mounts ago Shooting the Bull announced the winner of the 9mm ammo quest and picked the Winchester 147gr Train and Defend. Shortly afterword I was in a Cabala's and noticed they had both the Train and Defend as well as their 147gr Defender. At the store, I couldn't remember which of the two he picked so I bought a box of each. Looking at the box's the two looked identical aside from the difference in packing. The Defender did list a velocity of 1000fps as apposed to the Train and Defend at 950fps.

Examining the rounds side by side they look almost identical with maybe a small difference in the bullet when looking down into the hollowpoint.



Defender on the left and Train and Defend on the right.



Point of impact was very similar to each other also.


Defender at 10 yards from the Sig P229


Train and Defend at 10 yards from the Sig P229

Starting with the Defender, I got an average five velocity of 906fps with the P229 with a high of 933 and a low of 894fps. From the MK9 the average velocity was 846fps with a high of 858 and a low of 838fps.

With the Train and Defend the P229 the five-shot average was 909fps with low of 925 and a low of 873fps. From the MK9 the average five-shot velocity was 867fps with a high of 894 and a low of 836fps.

This is interesting because the Defender round is supposed to have a higher velocity than the Train and Defend by 50fps but came in lower from both the P229 and the Mk9. The Train and Defend had an average velocity 3fps higher in the P229 and 21fps higher from the MK9. Nether made the velocity calmed by Winchester.

Shooting the first round of the Defender into the bare gel from the P229 the velocity was 911fps and penetrated to 19.5 inches. The recovered weight was 147.1 grains and it expanded to .54 inches. The second round hit the gel block at a velocity of 932fps and also penetrated to 19.5 inches. Recovered weight was 146.3 grains and it expanded to .53 inches.



Through the heavy clothing covered gel, I didn't get any velocity readings. The first round penetrated to 20.25 inches and expanded to .41 inches and had a recovered weight of 146.6 grains. The second round penetrated to 19.75 inches and weighed 146.6. When measured at the lead core of the bullet expansion was .49 inches. If measured at the largest point of the jacket "talons" it measured .63 inches.



Only one shot was taken from the Mk9 into the bare gel. It penetrated to 18.5 inches and expanded to .50 inches at the lead core and .68 when measured to the talons. Recovered weight was 146.6 grains and no velocity was recorded.



With the Train and Defend the first round from the P229, into the bare gel, had a velocity of 930fps and penetrated to 20.5 inches with an expansion of .56 inches. The recovered weight was 146.7 grains. The second round also penetrated to 20.5 inches and had a recovered weight of 146.8 grains. The expansion was .55 inches and velocity was 925fps.



Shooting the P229 through the heavy clothing the first round's velocity was 937fps and it expanded to .53 inches. Recovered weight was 146.6 grains and penetration was 20.5 inches. Round two had a velocity of 918fps and penetrated to 21 inches. Recovered weight was 146.6 grains and expansion was .54 inches.



The one round through the MK9, into the bare gel, had a velocity of 877fps and expanded to .41 inches when measured at the core, and .63 inches at the jacket. Penetration was 17 inches and recovered weight was 139.4 grains.

[5pins]

Test Gun: S&W M442
Barrel length: 1 7/8 inches.
Ammunition: Winchester .38 Spl 158gr LSWCHP.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph G2.
Five shot velocity average: 778fps
Gel Temperature 74 degrees.

I didn't realize it but its been almost two years since I did a .38 Spl. test. While digging through some stuff today I came across a box of some Winchester 158gr LSWCHP's that I've for a few years now. It's been some time since I have carried a snub nose but when I did it was with this load(AKA the FBI load). I have owned this M442 for about 25 or so years and put thousands of rounds through it. But when I picked up my first sub-compact 9mm that all change and it's been at least 6 years since I have carried one.

If the truth is known I could never shoot well but sometimes it was necessary to have something a little smaller than my normal carry pice, a Glock 19. I guess what I'm trying to say is there is a reason the 5-yard group below sucks.

I got a five-shot average velocity of 778fps with a high of 786 and a low of 774fps.



The first round into the bare gel had a velocity of 775fps and penetrated to 20.5 inches. The expansion was .39 inches and recovered weight was 157.9 grains. Round two also penetrated to 20.5 inches and expanded to .38 inches with a recovered weight of 156.7 grains. Its velocity was 768fps.



Through the covered gel, both rounds were clogged with the clothing and passed through both gel blocks and were found laying on the floor. The recovered weights were 157.6 and 157.7 grains. The velocity of the two rounds was 757 and 775fps. There was no expansion of either round.

[Kenk]

Thanks Spins, good stuff!