dodgestdshift
Member
I decided to test the bullets I use, in 44 Magnum, by comparing their penetration and expansion in an expansion medium. Since I live in an area where the local newspaper is crazy liberal, I don't have access to much newsprint to soak. Also, it's messy and hard to transport. I settled on milk jugs lined up to try to test the bullets, fired from a Ruger Redhawk fired at first from 25 yds, and later from 50 yds. The terminal velocities are calculated from chronograph readings at 10 feet, and calculated to 25 yds.
The results of 2 Speer bullets, I have tested are as follows:
Bullet: Speer 240 gr Gold Dot hollow point Caliber 44 (.429 in)
Range: 25 yds Calculated Terminal Velocity 1335
Rotational Speed 50940 rpm
Shot 1
Remaining Wgt 237 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .672 in.
Penetration Depth 23.5-24 in
Comments Penetrated 4 plugged water jugs nicked the 5th. Textbook looking recovered bullet.
Shot 2
Remaining Wgt 238.8 Measured Terminal Diameter .672 in
Penetration Depth 24in
Comments Penetrated 4 plugged water jugs damaged the last one but did not enter. Another beautiful recovered bullet.
Bullet: Speer 210 gr Gold Dot hollow point Caliber 44 (.429 in)
Range: 25 yds Calculated Terminal Velocity 1446
Rotational Speed 55512 rpm
Shot 1
Remaining Wgt 209.2 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .766 in.
Penetration Depth 6-12 in
Comments Penetrated 2 plugged water jugs. Bullet found in second jug. Textbook looking recovered bullet. Expanded more than the 240.
Shot 2
Remaining Wgt 207.6 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .861 in.
Penetration Depth 12 in
Comments Penetrated 2 plugged water jugs. Hit third but did not penetrate.
Another good looking bullet. Expanded slightly more than the first shot.
As far as I can see, these are excellant results from the bullets. I am not a
scientist but as a shooter, I am impressed. The 240 grain bullet looks tougher than the 210, but that was expected.
Today I tried shooting the Speer 240 grain "Mag Tip" hollow point bullet, but I had some problems. Therefore these bullets will have to be shot again to get complete information. I can also report on what I was able to determine from this bullet test.
It is not as tough as the previous 2 bullets. It expanded but the petals of the expansion began to come off after penetrating the second jug. One shot (out of 3) lost its jacket and its recovered weight was 165.9 gr. with a measured diameter of 192 gr. The jacket was found in the third jug, the bullets of all three were found in the fourth jug, with pieces penetrating the 5th jug. The two bullets that didn't lose their jackets weighed 192 gr and 191.6 gr.
I intend to retest the 240 Mag Tip bullet at 25 yds, and all of them at 50 yards, and will report back. I will have to drink more milk to get more jugs.
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The results of 2 Speer bullets, I have tested are as follows:
Bullet: Speer 240 gr Gold Dot hollow point Caliber 44 (.429 in)
Range: 25 yds Calculated Terminal Velocity 1335
Rotational Speed 50940 rpm
Shot 1
Remaining Wgt 237 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .672 in.
Penetration Depth 23.5-24 in
Comments Penetrated 4 plugged water jugs nicked the 5th. Textbook looking recovered bullet.
Shot 2
Remaining Wgt 238.8 Measured Terminal Diameter .672 in
Penetration Depth 24in
Comments Penetrated 4 plugged water jugs damaged the last one but did not enter. Another beautiful recovered bullet.
Bullet: Speer 210 gr Gold Dot hollow point Caliber 44 (.429 in)
Range: 25 yds Calculated Terminal Velocity 1446
Rotational Speed 55512 rpm
Shot 1
Remaining Wgt 209.2 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .766 in.
Penetration Depth 6-12 in
Comments Penetrated 2 plugged water jugs. Bullet found in second jug. Textbook looking recovered bullet. Expanded more than the 240.
Shot 2
Remaining Wgt 207.6 gr Measured Terminal Diameter .861 in.
Penetration Depth 12 in
Comments Penetrated 2 plugged water jugs. Hit third but did not penetrate.
Another good looking bullet. Expanded slightly more than the first shot.
As far as I can see, these are excellant results from the bullets. I am not a
scientist but as a shooter, I am impressed. The 240 grain bullet looks tougher than the 210, but that was expected.
Today I tried shooting the Speer 240 grain "Mag Tip" hollow point bullet, but I had some problems. Therefore these bullets will have to be shot again to get complete information. I can also report on what I was able to determine from this bullet test.
It is not as tough as the previous 2 bullets. It expanded but the petals of the expansion began to come off after penetrating the second jug. One shot (out of 3) lost its jacket and its recovered weight was 165.9 gr. with a measured diameter of 192 gr. The jacket was found in the third jug, the bullets of all three were found in the fourth jug, with pieces penetrating the 5th jug. The two bullets that didn't lose their jackets weighed 192 gr and 191.6 gr.
I intend to retest the 240 Mag Tip bullet at 25 yds, and all of them at 50 yards, and will report back. I will have to drink more milk to get more jugs.
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