Puncha
Member
I recently did some penetration tests with some 148gr S&B LWC target loads shooting at a phonebook place 23 meters away. The gun in question was a S&W model 10 and the load was selected due to some opinions that it could still be effective for SD even if fired from a snubby.
Anyway, I fired 3 shots and all failed to penetrate the phonebook. From what I could see, the slugs bored holes through about 200 pages and ended up stuck in the middle of the phonebook. The implication here is that they lack enough energy to penetrate through bone and into vital organs if used as a self defense/personal protection round.
I know that standard LRN rounds deliver more energy than LWC loads (200 ft/lbs vs 166 ft/lbs), but to what extent will the penetration ability be greater? Can I expect to see a phonebook to be shot clean through? Did the range of 20+ meters make a difference? Would a closer range of 8-9 meters see MUCH greater penetration?
BTW, if anyone is asking me to consider HP rounds or +P rounds, I would like to add that the local authorities have very recently tightened controls over the sale of +P or HP ammo to non LEOs.
Anyway, I fired 3 shots and all failed to penetrate the phonebook. From what I could see, the slugs bored holes through about 200 pages and ended up stuck in the middle of the phonebook. The implication here is that they lack enough energy to penetrate through bone and into vital organs if used as a self defense/personal protection round.
I know that standard LRN rounds deliver more energy than LWC loads (200 ft/lbs vs 166 ft/lbs), but to what extent will the penetration ability be greater? Can I expect to see a phonebook to be shot clean through? Did the range of 20+ meters make a difference? Would a closer range of 8-9 meters see MUCH greater penetration?
BTW, if anyone is asking me to consider HP rounds or +P rounds, I would like to add that the local authorities have very recently tightened controls over the sale of +P or HP ammo to non LEOs.