.45 Auto, 230gr. FMJ vs. JHP vs. Tire

[SnakeEater]

I'm in the process of building a cabin out in the sticks. On our land we have some large fields and a large wooded area with a creek. Me and 2 friends decided to build a little hideaway place we call ATF, yep, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is our primary reason. Anyway, that's for a different thread I guess.

While in the woods today I found a tire still on the wheel. The tire still had pressure so it probably hasn't been there long. I thought it would be cool to see which round had the greatest effect on said tire. I fired 10 rounds of MFS 230gr FMJ first. All ten rounds penetrated ONLY 1 side of the tire and were stopped by the backside. I rolled the tire around and could here the bullets moving around. The entry holes were not very visible because the rubber closed back up. All in all I wasn't very impressed with the performance.

Next I fired 10 rounds of Triton 450 SMC, 230gr JHP. I was expecting less performance from these JHP's. I figured they would simply hit and expand prove to be less capable in the pentration area; I was wrong, very wrong. The entry holes were clearly visible and it was obvious more energy was delivered on target. Most suprising of all was when I spun the tire around. The backside of the tire was shredded from 10 silver dollar size exit holes. Not only that but all ten rounds went through the 1/2 in. thick piece of wood I had behind the tire.

I'm not sure what to think about the results. Sure, not a bit scientific, but telling none the less. The JHP's did expand as designed but just kept going. The FMJ's were standard velocity stuff, right about 850fps, while the 450smc goes roughly 1150fps. Is velocity the deciding factor here? You tell me. All shots were fired from the same pistol, HK USP45.

 

[Fumbler]

The FMJ's were standard velocity stuff, right about 850fps, while the 450smc goes roughly 1150fps. Is velocity the deciding factor here? You tell me. All shots were fired from the same pistol, HK USP45.

Yes. 300fps more translates into a lot of energy.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Interesting and fun, but don't be misled.

If the purpose was to get some idea how your loads will work when shooting them at an inflated tire, mounted on a car, I fear you could be disappointed.

I've seen first hand the results of several tire shootings, and pending a LOT of additional investigation and analysis, I can only conclude that every instance is a law unto itsownself.

Firearm caliber, type bullet fired, tire construction, inflation pressure, vehicle weight, and, yep, if the tire is rolling and at what speed - - All of these make a difference. And sometimes seemingly identical sets of circumstances APPEAR to give different results. The one real constant appears to be that a hit on the sidewall of the tire is far more destructive than shooting at the tread area.

But, it IS a lot of fun, isn't it?

Best,
Johnny

 

[Marko Kloos]

Johnny,

I figure that if I ever have a reason to employ deadly force to stop a vehicle, it'll be far less challenging to shoot at the driver's side windshield, from front or back, than to test my marksmanship skills and carry load performance on those small black spinning rubber thingies.

 

[Fumbler]

I once shot a tire with a pellet gun.
When I heard a whizzing sound that I swear was within a foot of my left ear I never shot at one again.

 

[SnakeEater]

I do realize that this "test" has little to offer in real world applications, but dang was it fun. I finally have a place to shoot at anything that I deem needs shooting. And we all know that old tires need to be shot.

 

[p35]

I know of at least one incident where a guy lost an eye due to bullet fragments bouncing off a wheel rim when he shot at a tire. Not something I would do on a regular basis.

 

[dsk]

One thing to consider: most 230gr FMJ loads are terribly anemic these days. The last bunch I chronographed (Remington-UMC) was at around 750-760fps if I remember correctly.

 

[SnakeEater]

I know of at least one incident where a guy lost an eye due to bullet fragments bouncing off a wheel rim when he shot at a tire. Not something I would do on a regular basis.

Yes, safety is always a factor when shooting unconventional targets. Rest assured I was wearing eye protection and most of my body was behind cover. I've got a new tire now, tomorrow we see what 9x18mak can do

 

[mpthole]

One thing to consider: most 230gr FMJ loads are terribly anemic these days. The last bunch I chronographed (Remington-UMC) was at around 750-760fps if I remember correctly.

You ain't kiddin'! I swear, some of the factory stuff I've shot barely makes IDPA power factor... and that's about 720 fps for a 230 gr bullet. I tend to load mine more like a "hot" factory load and get them going around 840-850 fps.