9mm gel test: Federal 9BPLE

[chopinbloc]

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Federal 9BPLE 115 gr JHP fired from S&W 6906 through four layers of denim into calibrated 10% gelatin.

BB: 590.8 fps, 3.0"

Impact velocity: 1,352 fps
Penetration: 11.0"
Retained weight: 114.8 gr
Max expansion: 0.711"
Min expansion: 0.544"

 

[jimbo555]

Thank you! Good choice in standard pressure.

 

[wnycollector]

9BPLE is an oldie but a goodie.

 

[LeonCarr]

Standard pressure?

9BPLE is +P+. The impact velocity was 1352 fps, about 200 fps faster than standard pressure.

Good load when it was introduced, good load now.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[CDW4ME]

I think that is good performance for an "old school" JHP.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

That is what is in my G19 right now.

 

[C0untZer0]

Although it doesn't meet the FBI standard for penetration, it worked well for the Illinois State Police for many years.

 

[loose noose]

You might note that the FBI standard also required the projectile to be able to penetrate vehicle doors, as well as penetrating human flesh.

 

[chopinbloc]

Not exactly. The FBI protocol recommends a set of tests (including sheet metal barrier) to compare cartridges to each other. The FBI also recommend that a projectile should penetrate between 12" and 18".

Almost anything will punch through a car door and a person. Good defense ammo will still be able to expand somewhat and penetrate between 12" and 18" after getting through the sheet metal.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

it worked well for the Illinois State Police for many years

Not only that agency, but also the DeCalb County (Atlanta GA) Sheriff's Dept. and the New Jersey State Police, according to Mas Ayoob. The ballistics of the 9BPLE round are at the low end of 357 SIG numbers. Makes me wonder, did those agencies take the hint and move up to the 357 SIG, or did they find their huckleberry elsewhere?

 

[chopinbloc]

More velocity isn't always a good thing. There are plenty of 9x19mm loads that perform very well and this bullet probably would have done better at 124 gr and standard pressure.

 

[C0untZer0]

Makes me wonder, did those agencies take the hint and move up to the 357 SIG, or did they find their huckleberry elsewhere?

In 1999 the Illinois State Police transitioned to the .40 S&W / Glock 22

 

[481]

Excellent test. Not bad for a lighter bullet and agree that a 124 gr @ somewhat reduced vel. would have done a little better in the way of penetration.

Thanks for doing this one!

 

[chopinbloc]

Thanks for watching and thank you for your support.

 

[WC145]

9BPLE is still a great round. I carried it on duty and still use it in my 9mm carry guns.