Ballistic gelatin test results : .32ACP Magtech JHP

[Brass Fetcher]

Magtech 71 grain JHP
Firearm was 2.75" barrel, recoil operated handgun

Block calibrated at 9.2cm and 601 ft/sec impact

No rounds expanded, all flipped 180 degrees. Final diameter = 0.310"

Shot 1 penetrated 14.4". Impacted at 831 ft/sec.

Shot 2 penetrated 14.5". Impacted at 842 ft/sec.

Shot 3 penetrated 14.3". Impacted at 819 ft/sec.

Shot 4 penetrated 13.4". Impacted at 828 ft/sec.

Shot 5 penetrated 15.4". Impacted at 812 ft/sec.

 

[MICHAEL T]

The only round in 32 that seems to work is the Corbon 60gr. At least in test Ive seem it opened. and went 8"

 

[Brass Fetcher]

Yes, that seemed to be my experience too when I tested a few rounds. In fact, I think it went to 8" exactly in my test too. The expansion and recoil were very satisfying but the penetration was far too shallow for my preference.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

Add a drop of superglue and some N310 powder...

I have modified the above bullets and reloaded them over some (probably) faster burning powder, to help push them along out of the short barrel of the Kel-Tec P32.

Basically, from the factory, the bullets would not expand out of the 2.75" barrel of the test gun. So, I pulled them and reloaded them with a Starline case, CCI small pistol primer and 2.2gr of N310 powder. The round on the right is a factory original bullet with no modifications, it went 11.5" in the gelatin and expanded to 0.408".

The bullet on the left is the same load, but the bullet has had a drop of Loctite super glue dropped into the cavity and allowed to dry. This bullet penetrated to 12.1" (FBI minimum depth is 12.0") and expanded to 0.403".

Hope this helps,

JE223

 

[SteelyNirvana]

I'm in my "learning years" what does this mean?

This bullet penetrated to 12.1" (FBI minimum depth is 12.0")

Thanks,

Brian Craig

 

[Brass Fetcher]

Brian,

The FBI 'mandated minimum depth' in order to meet their criteria for adoption for law enforcement use, is 12.0" in standard ballistic gelatin.

Basically, assuming a 'perfect' block (in regards to its toughness), if any part of the bullet or the damage caused by the bullets passage is at 12.0" depth into the gelatin block or deeper, the penetration criteria is met.

It's a way basically, to ensure that ammunition used by law enforcement (and by extension, non-LE civilians) has a good chance of penetrating far enough into an attackers body to destroy their vital organ(s).

 

[Dark Helmet]

What velocity were your handloads ?

 

[Brass Fetcher]

I didn't use a chronograph on those as I was more-or-less just making use of the free space that I had left on a block... but an identical load with a 71gr XTP bullet was chronographed at 930 ft/sec.

JE223

 

[zeke]

JE223-instead of super glue, might want to try some silicone (non-compresible fluid), doesn't need to fill beyond front of bullet.