Corbon 160-gr. DPX "Compact Gun Load" in .45 ACP...

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I recently got my mitts on some of Corbon's new "Compact Gun Load" in .45 ACP. This standard pressure load uses the Barnes X-bullet as do the company's other calibers in the DPX line.

I did not concentrate on informal expansion testing. Others with access to ballistic gelatin are doing so, but when fired into water from a Colt Defender having a 3" barrel, bullets expanded without fail and looked almost like identical twins. This bullet normally penetrates between about 12 and 13" in 10% ballistic gelatin. Weight-loss is practically nonexistant.


This is Corbon's 160-gr. "Compact Gun Load" and an expanded bullet that was fired into water from a Colt Defender. Dimensions are 0.81 x 0.79 x 0.67" tall.

Even though this round is designed with the compacts in mind, I also fired it from a Commander and a Dan Wesson Patriot with barrels measuring 4.25 and 5", respectively.

Based on 10 shots fired approx. 10' from the chronograph, the following average velocities were obtained:

Colt Defender w/3" bbl:
1082 ft/sec

Colt Commander/4.25" bbl:
1178 ft/sec

DW Patriot w/5" bbl:
1217 ft/sec

Accuracy was very satisfactory and feeding was without hesitation in each of the guns tried. Actual muzzle velocities exceed the "1050 ft/sec" printed on the box. There were no malfunctions.


This 5-shot group was fired with the Defender at 15 yards. Shooting was done in slow-fire, with two-hand hold and from a seated position.


The "Compact Gun Load" is reportedly tweaked to provide performance meeting today's accepted expansion/penetration standards and at standard pressures, not +P.

For those interested in more detail, click on the link below:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 160 gr DPX.htm

Best.

 

[horge]

Stephen,

Thanks for the report!
How was the muzzle flash? Was the ammo fairly clean (fouling)?


-horge

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I didn't shoot it in darkness, but no muzzle flash was noted; the day was overcast. I could be wrong, but I think Corbon is using a flash retardant powder in the DPX line. There was very minimal fouling.

Best.

 

[Longbow]

The bullet looks very similar to Taurus Hex ammo. Coincidence?
As always, thanks for Sharing!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I believe that Barnes made the bullets for both. Whether or not the alloy content, hollow point depth, etc are the same, I don't know.

Best.

 

[Old Fuff]

Might mention that this is also an excellent choice for those that have snubby revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. Good performance and more controlable recoil.

 

[CougarRed]

I am not sure why there is a need for a 160 gr DPX round when they already have a 185 gr which is fine for short barrels.

 

[saltydog452]

Thanks to Stephen..

Thank you for the information Steve. As a side note, are you aware of Cor-Bon taking a similar approach with non Plus P ammunition for the 9X19?

thanks,

salty.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. No, sir, I'm not aware of a non +P 9mm DPX. Not saying that such isn't the case, but only that I'm not aware of it. Somewhat related is that I believe they are revising their .38 Special from non +P to +P in the DPX line.

Best.

 

[mete]

Corbon has been looking for certain performance characteristics which they seem to get only with +P loads.

 

[Humble Texan]

I am not sure why there is a need for a 160 gr DPX round when they already have a 185 gr which is fine for short barrels.

I believe Cor-Bon wanted a standard pressure .45 DPX for short barrels. Their belief in speed requires a much lighter bullet to achieve a 1000+ velocity out of a three inch barrel at standard pressures, hence the 160gr.

Cor-Bon's 185 gr. round is a +p. A really outsanding performer from what I have seen.

In my non-+p PT145 and my USP 45f, I carry the 185 gr, standard pressure Taurus Hex Bullet. I will start carrying the Cor-Bon 110gr. DPX +p for the stubby.