Ballistic gelatin test results : .40S&W 180gr Hornady XTP (From a Glock 27)

[Brass Fetcher]

Special thanks to Glockman30 for providing the material support for this test.

Ammunition : .40S&W 180gr Hornady XTP

Firearm : Glock 27 with 3.5" barrel length

Block Calibration : All depths corrected (From 7.7cm @ 557 ft/sec)

Shot 1 - Impacted at 932 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.1" and was recovered at 0.591" average diameter.

Shot 2 - Impacted at 908 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.2" and was recovered at 0.597" average diameter.

Shot 3 - Impacted at 905 ft/sec, penetrated to 14.5" and was recovered at 0.576" average diameter.

Shot 4 - Impacted at 932 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.9" and was recovered at 0.604" average diameter.

Shot 5 - Impacted at 909 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.2" and was recovered at 0.581" average diameter.

 

[RyanM]

Good penetration, though I hear XTPs fare poorly against 4-layer denim.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

The one I fired today certainly did...! Along with each gelatin test that I do, I am now trying to do at least a water test with 4-layer denim, unless I have enough good block left to try it with gelatin.

I fired the 180gr XTP from the test gun, it went through the denim, 12.0" of gelatin and then 12" of polyester bullet arresting box. The bullet definitely 'went the distance' and from the wound track in the gelatin, it appears that neglidgable expansion took place and no tumbling occured either.

 

[kashton]

What would be the approx. ft lbs of the .40S&W 180gr Hornady XTP from the G27?

 

[possum]

thanks alot for sharing i have carried and shot xtps in the past and i have been very pleased.

 

[shadowalker]

Thanks for the information, have you done anything with 155 grain XTPs?

What would be the approx. ft lbs of the .40S&W 180gr Hornady XTP from the G27?

You can calculate this as (velocity * velocity) * weight / 450400

You also should look at momentum which is (weight / 7000) * velocity

In this case average velocity is 917.2 fps, yielding 336 ft/lb of energy and a momentum of 23.58

 

[contactcole]

Great initial info. Thanks.

Clearly a direct correlation to expansion vs. penetration. Comparing this to your 180gr Golden Saber test, velocity is similar, but the 180gr GS expands more and penetrates less. Physics (and common sense) would predict this result.

Great data that supports what you'd expect. I thougth the real test in modern HP ammo is performace following barrier penetration. However, I notice a real difference here in expansion with a bare target. Assuming the gelatin was the same, the XTP really under performed here in the bare compared to the GS. It's just one test, but interesting nonetheless. Be great to have validity testing and see barrier data.

 

[shadowalker]

XTP bullets are typically more of an expanded expansion than some other bullets, they are also designed to expand at lower and higher velocities.

I carry XTPs because handguns stop threats with penetration and XTPs offer moderate expansion with good penetration.

 

[wally]

More data for why I prefer .40S&W over .45ACP out of sub 4" barreled guns.

--wally.