Bullets in Water - Penetration Test
- Thread starter Jerry D
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snuffy
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Probably to check expansion.
3.5 feet of water will definitely stop a .308 accubond. I used 5 milk hugs full of water, end to end, a 165 AB from my 300 WSM @ 3100 went through 3, stopped in the fourth.
rfwobbly
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WardenWolf
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Higher velocities actually hurt penetration in water, beyond a point. Water tends to become more solid-like the faster something is moving through it, and higher velocities can cause premature disintegration.
jpwilly
Member
Low velocity bullets do much better most high velocity rifle bullets will fly apart from the impact. The Myth busters tested this in a pool even using the good ol M1 Garand. 3.5 ft would be very optimistic.
Jumping Frog
Member
Speaking of low velocity, I saw a torture test segment on Guns & Ammo TV where they put a 1911 into a swimming pool and fired it underwater multiple times.jpwilly said:
It was obvious that the .45 ACP rounds went about 10-12 feet while traveling underwater.
It ruined the gun's barrel -- gave it a noticeable barrel bulge.
Corkster
Member
rfwobbly,
Thanks for pointing out the boxotruth site...very cool!
Thanks for pointing out the boxotruth site...very cool!
AKElroy
Member
Too fast to penetrate much at all--Will likely fragment the instant it hits the water. Mythbusters did a show on this; the winner for water penetration? 9mm FMJ.
snuffy
Member
Mythbusters is a very entertaining show. But seldom do they really find out anything that resembles the truth. It's painful to see them destroy guns while trying to prove or disprove a myth.
That said, there's a difference in a solid column of water and separate chunks,(milk jugs), like in my tests. The box-o'-truth is the same thing, separated blocks of water.
I suspect the barrel of water suggested by Jerry D would tend to be too solid, resulting in complete fragmentation. BTW what happened to you Jerry D? Please tell us the reason for your ???¿
165 Hornady interbonds @ 100 yds. from my 300 WSM @ 3100 fps.
The box in back of the jugs? That's full of used clothing,(rags), to catch any bullets that MIGHT make it through the jugs, or skip outside the last jug.
Well you know... the spring/summers coming and I want to work up some .30-06 loads - I've only ever shot the factory loads in .30-06
I want to test a variety of 165 grain bullets that are suitable for deer sized game and larger.
I’ll also work up a 180 or 200 grain grizzly load and depending on how it goes, I might use it as a moose load too.
I can shoot for both accuracy and performance with a cardboard target a few feet in front of the water and I thought using a barrel on its side would may work the best but it appears not.
Would sand bags work better? Should I just buy a kit of the gelatin stuff? Or do I just settle on a bullet and be done with it as the manufactures have already done all this testing and I'm sure they all work...
I want to test a variety of 165 grain bullets that are suitable for deer sized game and larger.
I’ll also work up a 180 or 200 grain grizzly load and depending on how it goes, I might use it as a moose load too.
I can shoot for both accuracy and performance with a cardboard target a few feet in front of the water and I thought using a barrel on its side would may work the best but it appears not.
Would sand bags work better? Should I just buy a kit of the gelatin stuff? Or do I just settle on a bullet and be done with it as the manufactures have already done all this testing and I'm sure they all work...
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AKElroy
Member
Bullets designed for deer sized game are probably factory tested more than any other, so you are good to go with regard to penetration to stick with a factory recomendation for the intended game. Try several loads & stick with the one your rifle shoots best; you will see a clear preference based more on accuracy than penetration results.
rfwobbly
Member
Cruise around that site. He's shot almost every kind of round into water jugs of some shape or description.
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