Ballistic gelatin test results : .32ACP 85gr Hornady XTP (Kel-Tec P32)

[Brass Fetcher]

What follows was originally meant to be a 5-shot evaluation of the 85gr XTP bullet in a .32ACP mousegun, using a handload that had successfully expanded and penetrated to 12.0" plus in ballistic gelatin previously.

I learned of the powders sensitivity to temperature today, because the test was conducted at 50degF, as opposed to the ~90degF ambient temperature of the original test. As such, only one of the bullets performed as desired, with the rest falling short of the original velocity. Hopefully with the velocities given, this will help .32ACP mousegun handloaders with a target velocity to set as their minimum allowable in their guns.
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Ammunition : Handloaded .32ACP 85gr Hornady XTP

Firearm : Kel-Tec P32 with 2.75" barrel length

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 7.9cm @ 558 ft/sec)

Shot 1 - Impacted at 823 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.1" and was recovered at 0.321" average diameter.

Shot 2 - Impacted at 833 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.3" and was recovered at 0.322" average diameter.

Shot 3 - Impacted at 823 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.5" and was recovered at 0.322" average diameter.

Shot 4 - Impacted at 816 ft/sec, penetrated to 16.4" and was recovered at 0.311" average diameter.

Shot 5 - Impacted at 838 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.4" and was recovered at 0.356" average diameter.

Load data was as follows : 85gr Hornady XTP bullet with 2.0gr of N310 powder, CCI SPP, Magtech cases, COL=0.982".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As always, thank you for sharing your test results with us. It is always informative.

 

[goon]

Yep, thanks a lot. I'm kind of suprised that the .32 penetrated as far as it did. I'd probably carry FMJ for reliability (since you basically have a small hole no matter what) so eventhough that isn't what you tested, I appreciate the experiments (and also all your others).

 

[Peter Gun]

is this typical expansion for 32acp? hardly any.
thanks for the test!

 

[Brass Fetcher]

@Peter Gun - You're welcome... I would call this typical expansion for a .32ACP bullet that expands and penetrates to the 12.0" depth or deeper.

In trying to find a JHP load that would work out of a .32ACP mousegun, I have run into two problems (aside from a lack of bullet selection): the powder charge density of this cartridge is just barely enough to propel a bullet, that is heavy enough to penetrate the 12.0"+, to a velocity that is fast enough to initiate expansion. On top of that, there appears to be a practical limit as to how heavy a bullet can be loaded in any caliber of gun ... 85gr appears to start heading in that direction for the .32ACP (remember that 90gr is the usual weight for a .380ACP bullet...)

 

[SgtKnuckles]

Here is some Good Telling Info on the .32 ACP...<)

Notice, if you like poking 15" deep holes with a .32... a FMJ Fiocchi 73Gr wouldn't be a bad choice...

http://tinyurl.com/yel7nu

For My Carry Round, I have a Box of Extreme Shock's EPR's. That will make that .32 Really Bite... The idea is to make HASH after entry, causing massive capillary failure... In stead of just POKING HOLES...!!! Go to there site and watch the Gelatin Movies...
Extreme Shock Says: The Enhanced Penetration Round (EPR) was engineered for applications where greater penetration is a must. The EPR has greater terminal success through glass and wood. This round has the ability to penetrate heavy skin, dense bone, and then fragment once inside the softer tissue of the target. The deep penetrating characteristics of the EPR make it the ideal round for street duty officers, as well as, serious handgun hunters. This round will also fragment on any surface that would cause a lead bullet to ricochet.

EXTSHOCK 32ACP60PDR20 32 ACP 60GR 20RD

Get yourself some MEAN AMMO INFO Here...<)
http://www.extremeshockusa.com

 

[Soybomb]

Get yourself some MEAN AMMO INFO Here...<)

If you'd like to read something other than their marketing material you might check out what the FBI thinks of frangible ammunition http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

Or some gelatin tests of extreme shock
http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=000283

here's what their 9mm load can do, the doctors and other experts in the ballistic field say that isn't near enough

 

[SgtKnuckles]

Soybomb,... That test was of there Freedom Round... hole different ball game... its supose to explode on impact... My Rounds below are EPR's... I would like to see a test of them...<)

I liked the INFO of that PDF file: http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

According to that, we should be trying to poke 15" deep holes using a small .32 Cal bullet to be most effective against the BadGuy's... So my FMJ Fiocchi 73Gr might be a good choice...

So what do You Gunner's think would be best after reading GoldenLoki's .32acp Gel Tests... And reading FireArmsTactical PDF...???

I was careful in my previous post to say "That will make that .32 Really Bite..." For serious Killing I have my .45...<) But my BUG... A NAA .32 Guardian is always willing and able...<)

My Munitions on hand to test at the Range for my .32 Guardian are:
Remington .32 71Gr FMJ's
Winchester .32 60Gr SilverTips FMJHP's
Fiocchi .32 73Gr FMJ's
ExtremeShock .32 60Gr EPR's (Enhanced Penetration Round)

Extreme Shock Says: The Enhanced Penetration Round (EPR) was engineered for applications where greater penetration is a must. The EPR has greater terminal success through glass and wood. This round has the ability to penetrate heavy skin, dense bone, and then fragment once inside the softer tissue of the target. The deep penetrating characteristics of the EPR make it the ideal round for street duty officers, as well as, serious handgun hunters. This round will also fragment on any surface that would cause a lead bullet to ricochet.

 

[MICHAEL T]

SgtKnuckles

Where do the silver tip +P come from Their is no +P in 32 that Iam aware of and silvertip is no power house in 32 HP.
Corbon 32HP is the best HP here you go
Corbon 1008 fps 135 ftlbs 8.2" .435 All rounds expanded

silvertips 855 fps 97 ftlbs 8.5" .386 1/3 expanded, 1/2 partially expanded, 1/6 did not expand
I like all my rounds to expand and hit as hard as possible
135 is a lot better than 97

 

[SgtKnuckles]

MICHAEL T,... your right... I will correct that... Pretty much, I like everything Corbon makes...<)

 

[MICHAEL T]

Extreme Shock Says: The Enhanced Penetration Round (EPR) was engineered for applications where greater penetration is a must. The EPR has greater terminal success through glass and wood. This round has the ability to penetrate heavy skin, dense bone, and then fragment once inside the softer tissue of the target. The deep penetrating characteristics of the EPR make it the ideal round for street duty officers, as well as, serious handgun hunters. This round will also fragment on any surface that would cause a lead bullet to ricochet


PLEASE WERE TALKING A 32 HERE