.223 gel test: American Eagle 50 gr JHP fired from 11.5", 14.5", and 19.5" barrels.

[chopinbloc]

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Federal American Eagle 50 gr JHP (part no. AE223G) fired from 11.5", 14.5", and 19.5" barreled AR-15 pattern rifles into calibrated 10% gelatin. Bonus Tier 1 operator watermelon.

BB: 586.5 fps, 3.6"


11.5" barrel results:

Impact velocity: 2,921 fps
Penetration: 8.7"
Retained weight: 16.7 gr
Max expansion: 0.438"
Min expansion: 0.336"


14.5" barrel results:

Impact velocity: 3,264 fps
Penetration: 8.9"
Retained weight: 14.3 gr
Max expansion: 0.329"
Min expansion: 0.253"


19.5" barrel results:

Impact velocity: 3,394 fps
Penetration: 7.4"
Retained weight: 10.9 gr
Max expansion: 0.419"
Min expansion: 0.235"

 

[Hardtarget]

I like the test videos. Good to see how projectiles react...perform...when subjected to an impact like that. I was not expecting the bullet to come apart like that. I know bullet construction and intended use are the controlling factors, its just my thinking... Bet it would be hard on ground hogs.

Mark

 

[illinoisburt]

No surprise at all, except in that from the shortest barrel the varmit style bullet did not have enough velocity to fragment properly. 223/556 ammo for a long time was either: FMJ/ball which will yaw and break in half regardless of weight; HP or SP target ammo which will fragment as shown in this video regardless of weight; HP or SP hunting ammo under 55 grains which is intended as varmit ammo and will fragment as shown in the video. It has only been the last ten years or so that more solidly constructed SP bullets were introduced as demand for deer hunting ammo grew. With few exceptions only those SP over 55 grains specifically labeled for deer or medium game like Hornady or Fusion will mushroom and penetrate (hence the whole 223 for deer debate from years gone by, people simply didn't know better and chose an unlabelled varmit bullet by mistake). If a manufacturer does not label the box as deer ammo, it is safe to assume anything other than an FMJ is varmit type ammo which is going to fragment.

 

[chopinbloc]

Good post.

If you plug the numbers into a ballistic calculator, you'll note that the velocity from the 11.5" is what you would get at a little over 100 yards with the 19.5".

There are a lot of soft point or OTM bullets 55 gr and heavier that will meet the 12" minimum for defense but not nearly so many that will penetrate deeply enough for humane hunting.