Ballistic gelatin test results : .45ACP 165gr Federal Hydra-Shok (From a Derringer)

[Brass Fetcher]

Special thanks to J.K. for sponsoring this test in full.

Cartridge : 165gr Federal Hydra-Shok

Firearm : Bond Arms .45ACP Derringer with 3.0" barrel length

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 10.2cm @ 577 ft/sec (bare block), 10.0cm @ 578 ft/sec (denim block), 9.0cm @ 560 ft/sec (overpenetration))

Shot 1 - Bare gelatin shot. Impacted at 935 ft/sec, penetrated to 8.5" and was recovered at 0.724" average diameter and 163.4gr weight.

Shot 2 - Heavy clothing shot. Impacted at 891 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.3" (minimum) and was recovered at 0.449" average diameter (no expansion occured) and 165.6gr weight.

Shot 3 - Overpenetration shot. Impacted at 901 ft/sec, penetrated to 7.8" in gelatin and interior wall panel. Bullet failed to exit the interior wall. Recovered at 0.711" average diameter and 164.0gr weight.

 

[CPshooter]

Wow again.. I'm amazed at these short barrel .45acp test results. I checked out the 165gr EFMJ and the 230gr Hydra-shok thread and between all 3 of these rounds, none of them had a chance of expanding through clothing...even at approx. 900fps. I'm rethinking my new CCW piece. I was leaning towards a Kahr P45, but I'm not so sure if I trust .45acp in these shorter barrels. At least I know the new 3" PM45 is completely out of the question with results like these.

Does 9mm JHP ammunition inherantly have better odds of expanding through denim when compared to .45acp?

 

[chris in va]

Does 9mm JHP ammunition inherantly have better odds of expanding through denim when compared to .45acp?

Hollowpoints in general seem to have trouble expanding through heavy clothing, no matter what the caliber. At least with a 45 you'll have a hole .45" in diameter.

Some people (me included) stagger between FMJ and JHP in the winter.