9x18mm Ammunition Test Results

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Yesterday, a fellow most generously brought some Barnaul Tiger 9x18mm JHP ammo to test and compare with some other ammunition. We test fired the following ammunition:

Brown Bear 115-gr. JHP
Hornady 95-gr. XTP
Barnaul 95-gr. JHP
Barnaul Tiger 95-gr. JHP
Corbon 95-gr. JHP +P

The Barnaul JHP has a more rounded ogive than the very blunt Tiger version.

Average velocities with related extreme spreads & standard deviations are based on 10-shot averages fired approximately 4' from the chronograph screens.

LVE Brown Bear 115-gr. JHP:
Average Velocity: 1018 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 32
Std. Deviation: 10

Hornady 95-gr. XTP:
Average Velocity: 979 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 82
Std. Deviation: 24

Barnaul 95-gr. JHP:
Average Velocity: 1051 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 26
Std. Deviation: 8

Barnaul Tiger 95-gr. JHP:
Average Velocity: 1062 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 41
Std. Deviation: 14

Corbon 95-gr. JHP +P:
Average Velocity: 1121 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 24
Std. Deviation: 8

Bulgarian Makarov with a magazine of Tiger JHP's.

Barnaul 95-gr. JHP compared to LVE Brown Bear 115-gr. JHP. The slightly longer LOA for the latter round does sometimes cause feeding problems in some Makarovs.

In this picture you can see the profile of the Barnaul JHP and an expanded bullet that had been fired into water. I don't have the expansion/weight figures on this bullet as it was fired on a different day, but it is very similar to the Tiger fired in these tests. I have no idea if the Tiger is a replacement load for this one or if both will continue to be available.

Barnaul Tiger JHP penetrated an average of 3.5" in super-saturated newsprint and some fragmentation occurred on ocassion. Average recovered weight when it didn't was 94-grains. Recovered expanded bullet diameter: 0.64 x 0.65 x 0.31" tall.

In this picture are Corbon 95-gr. JHP +P rounds fired into water (upper left) and wet pack (soaked newsprint). Fragmentation was evident in all recovered bullets. Average weight from wet pack was 69 grains with dimensions: 0.49 x 0.53 x 0.34" tall. We also experienced a squib load (no powder) and you can see the primer indentation on the case shown. The bullet had to be removed from the barrel of the gun. This is the first Corbon ammo failure I've seen in any caliber.

Hornady's XTP was slowest of the ammunition tested, but very consistent in performance in expansion media. Despite its having the largest standard deviation of the ammo shot in these tests, it accuracy, reliability and expansion characteristics have proven very good for me in the past.

The XTP at the upper right was fired into water with the others being recovered from wet pack. Average expanded measurement: 0.55 x 0.54 x 0.32" tall. Penetration in wet pack: 4.1".

Brown Bear 115-gr. JHP penetrated an average of 3.8" and had recovered bullet dimensions of 0.61 x 0.60 x 0.36" tall and recovered bullets weighed 113-grains on average.

There were no failures to feed, fire, or eject OTHER than with the single round of Corbon that evidently has no powder in it and again, this is the only failure with Corbon that I've seen.

For those interested, the lot number on the Corbon 9x18mm was: 200002-2.

Based on what I've seen in 10% ballistic gelatin tests, the "gold standard" in expansion testing, if you roughly double the penetration from what you get in wet pack, you're in the ballpark of the bullet's penetration in "the real thing." Expansion characteristics are about like two peas in a pod.

Best.

 

[citizen]

Thanks for your efforts; very useful info. (Betcha it was fun, too.)

 

[Tropical Z]

Thanx!
Ive never seen that Tiger ammo for sale anywhere.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Thanks for the nice words. I'm not sure how new or old the Tiger is or if Barnaul is going to replace their older JHP with it or not. This is the first of it I have shot.

Best.

 

[BHPshooter]

Thank you, Mr. Camp, for that report. Being very interested in the Makarov, this is very useful information!

I do have a question, if I may: Most of the 9mm Mak rounds used penetrated from about 3 to 4 inches. How does that vary from wet-pack penetration of 9mm Luger rounds, generally?

Thanks for your very inforative posts.

Wes

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. The general 9mm expanding rounds penetrate about 1.5 times to twice as much depending on the load and bullet weight.

Best.

 

[WVleo]

Hi, Thanks for the research ! Bulgy Mak and eight rounds of any of those shown make me feel more secure . Packs enough punch ...WVleo

 

[P95Carry]

Thx Steve for the hard work - and, sharing your findings. All most useful.

I am glad the JHP feeds so well in my Mak ... as it seems to in all of them.

 

[RVSinOK]

Mr. Camp -

I just got my first Mak (a Bulgarian) shortly before Christmas, so the timing of your report is excellent! And, as usual, the report itself is outstanding. THANKS for your efforts. They are greatly appreciated!

 

[who me]

Hey Mr. Camp I always enjoy reading your different tests and was wondering how you do the wetpack test? I have a bunch of phone books that I would like to use for testing some gold dots in different calibers.

 

[PCRCCW]

Just a note...the larger mouth Tiger ammo is what I get from Barnaul. But its not Tiger...its just Barnaul. I dont know if they are repackaging it or if they are replacing it.
Its my CCW round when my Mak accompanies me.......................

Shoot well.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I just remove any "slick" paper from the stack (approx. 12" high) and tie a string around each end. Leave an inch of slack as the paper swells when soaked. Submerge in water for about 24 hours. Drain 30 mins and shoot. I try and have the muzzle of larger caliber guns at least 3' away. Smaller caliber can be a foot or two away with no problems.

Best.

 

[Soap]

Thanks! I've been debating on a decent load for my Mak.