Ballistic gelatin test results - website

Status
Not open for further replies.
Looks good to me, though you should probably post the retained weights for at least the rifle rounds. Probably also for any of the others that fragmented at all. Putting the calibration data is a definite plus.

If you want, I can send you a spreadsheet utility which will do penetration corrections to a higher accuracy than using the chart in Bullet Penetration, since that chart is based on expanded hollowpoints with a sectional density of around .16, at a velocity of 800-1000 fps. Beyond those ranges, they're off a bit.
 
Great site!


What was the velocities of the 22 LR rounds? Were they from a rifle or a pistol?

What was the concept of super glue in the 32 auto rounds?


Can you do a buckshot test from a greater distance? I would like to know the penetration of buckshot when the pellets are spread apart at the start and are not all clumped together at first. I wonder if this would show less penetration.

Again great site.
 
Awesome site!

I've been looking for something like this!! I'm so glad you've taken the time to compile and research this data.
I do have some suggestions:
I understand the need for a controled environment for these tests, but do you think that when you are taking these pictures that maybe some outdoor shots would yield a bit better results? Some of those pictures I can't hardly tell what i'm looking at. That could just be me, but maybe some different lighting when your taking the pictures would help.
Also, I really liked the pics of the 9mm +P that you posted after the testing, perhaps include a picture of all the bullets recovered right next to the ballistics gel.?

Just a thought.
Matt
 
Thank you all for the nice comments regarding the website. I have just added some 40S&W and rifle tests and a few more different calibers will find their way onto the site in the next few days.

Matt, thank you for the suggestion regarding the image quality and the posing of the bullets in front of the block. There are two things at work with some of the photos, primarily that gelatin blocks are not easy to photograph. When a block is made, it always seems that at least two sides are murky, while the other two sides are clear enough to photograph through. This also brings up the light transmission properties of the gelatin - I use Vyse brand which is (supposedly) slightly less clear than the Knox and Kind brand at twice the price. The second factor is that in terms of wound ballistics, penetration is much more important than temporary cavitation or bullet expanded diameter. Thus, it is OK to use a less-than-clear block on most occasions not involving extremely powerful rifles (which, like the 45-70 tests on the site show, produce temporary cavities at deepers depths).

lbmii, the site has been updated with the .22lr velocity , thanks for the heads up. The super glue was placed in some of the .32ACP cavities to inhibit the expansion of the bullet, thus giving greater penetration into the gelatin block. I was able to retard the expansion of one JHP from 0.45" diameter to 0.41" diameter by these means. Thank you for the suggestion RE buckshot at greater distances. I have always contemplated the effects of such close-range tests, and believe that the penetrations of some of the pellets are increased through a synergetic effect of the preceding pellets pushing the gelatin away from the front of the following pellets. IMO, it seems that most shooting outside of the range occurs at or near muzzle distance, so that is one reason for the tested range. The other is simply due to the logistics - I would need to work out a 'rifle-sized' gelatin mold, measuring something like 18x10x10 inches in order to keep all pellets likely to stay in the block on a longer shot. This would necessitate the preparation of three 'pistol-sized' blocks (what I used for the website), a larger mold, a new refrigerator to hold the 70+ lbf of gelatin and a 72 hour lead time. So, that test is currently on hold.

RyanM, thanks for the info on the penetration corrections. If you would be so kind as to post it to the board, I imagine that there are others here seeking the same info. May I ask the source of the information?

Thank you.

John

www.brassfetcher.com
 
Just MacPherson's equations. The cavitation threshold velocity is dependent on the calibration of the block. A little bit of math (well, a lot of math), and you can correct penetration for anything. But right now, I'm trying not to distribute my spreadsheet too much. It's still in the alpha stage, and I know that 99% of people will never say a thing if they encounter a bug. It's also missing algorithms for skin penetration, which will have to wait for awhile. Though if no new problems are found over the next couple of weeks, I may be able to make a beta version available to anyone interested.
 
Question re: ammo used

Perhaps I missed something, but it appears that most of the ammo, at least on the pages I looked at, was in some way adulterated. Am I wrong, or what was the reason? Changed factory loads and glue make it hard to compare with real carry ammo--comments??
 
Last edited:
Hey JE223,
Can you add about three weights of 357 magnum from a 4" barrel?
Maybe the 125gr., the 140gr., and the 158gr., and see how they fare.
Another thing is I would like to see how the soft point do against the hollow points.

Just my $0.02 worth.
 
JE223...thanks for your effort!

I'd like to see two things...
First, denim or heavy cloth in front of the gel. You can get most any JHP to expand in bare gel. Denim/heavy cloth would give a better picture of the effectiveness of various JHPs and separate the herd a bit.

Second, I appreciate the time and cost this takes. Where can I send/donate ammo for upcoming tests?
Thanks again.

PS. I've never seen the Fed .38Spec 110gr PD penetrate more than the Fed .38Spec 129gr HS.
 
Was the 410 000 buck without any spread? From the photo it looks like there was just one pathway.

Also did you measure the velocities of the 40 cal rounds?

The Winchester 155 grain Ranger round is what I am using in my 3 1/2" barrel Glock 27.
 
Wonderful website. I have just one request. Could you chage the text colors so that its not black text on a dark blue background. Its a little hard to read. Might I suggest yellow text on the background you have, or changing it to a lighter color, perhaps a sky blue?
 
Great work! It's always nice to see more data. Regardless of whatever else, I think you've established at least one thing...the 12 gauge wins! :evil:
RT
 
Brandon223 said:
This guy shoots a .45-70 into ballistics gel, how cool is that :D
Click to expand...

I have to admit it put a smile on my face.
I'd like to see a BFR .45-70 used.... say with a 7.5" barrel. :evil:
 
Website update

Test results posted for .308WIN (3 tests) and 2 more tests posted for .45ACP.

Thank you for the idea regarding the greater contrasting text. Stay tuned for a website redesign - I didn't know that things would catch on this well with the site, so I didn't spend too much time with the actual layout, just the info.

With regard to the impact velocities, I too would like to have obtained impact velocities of the rounds that were not recorded, but this is not always possible.

For instance, I usually make shooting the gelatin the main reason for going to the range any given day, and the actual set-up process requires about an hour. Gelatin blocks ideally must be kept at a bulk temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit and the weather where I am usually does not cooperate in this way. Its basically a problem of matching the time available for the range trip to the weather.

However, I make it a point to take as many bullet diameter measurements as possible (usually six measurements per bullet, for those bullets that have six jacket segments) and average them, so that anyone with a dial caliper, a half gallon milk jug and an old pillow can match their results to my gelatin tests and get a reasonably good idea how their particular firearm should shoot a particular load in ballistic gelatin.

This is done by taking the stuffing out of the pillow and loosely packing it into a long and narrow lightweight cardboard box. Take either the top flap or the bottom flap off. Fill the half gallon jug full with water and place it 4 inches in front of the cardboard box. The bullet will expand in the water just like it would in gelatin, with bullets shot into water usually 1-2 percent larger in diameter than those shot into ballistic gelatin.

JE223

http://www.brassfetcher.com
 
Great site, thanks.

I'd love to see some results using .32 H&R Magnum. I've search far and wide and haven't been able to find any ballistic gelatin results for that cartridge.



nero
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Brass Fetcher
  • Locked
Brassfetcher ballistic gelatin testing website
Replies
8
Views
790
lesjones
L
Brass Fetcher
  • Locked
Brass Fetcher ballistic gelatin testing - Update
Replies
4
Views
537
Brass Fetcher
Brass Fetcher
Brass Fetcher
  • Locked
Ballistic gelatin test results : .45ACP Speer Gold Dot 'Flying Ashtray'
Replies
9
Views
2K
Harley Quinn
H
Brass Fetcher
  • Locked
Glaser Safety Slug vs. Interior wall and ballistic gelatin
2
Replies
31
Views
18K
Brass Fetcher
Brass Fetcher
Brass Fetcher
  • Locked
Open call to Guncrafter Industries : Ballistic gelatin test of .50GI cartridge
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
jwerlc
J
Back
Top