Terminal Ballistics of .223 Ammo (with pics)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

So just to clarify - ALL of those are various Federal factory loads? Pretty dad-gummed cool, though. I'd like to see other brands for comparison.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I don't mean to cause a problem but I do not see any calibration data shown that would allow for an accurate representation of the rounds performance

The testing procedures and calibration data were originally published on Federal/ATK's LE website (see the link by 147 Grain) but are no longer available.

So just to clarify - ALL of those are various Federal factory loads?

Yes, the pictures in the original post all represent Federal factory loads. The subsequent links show other types of .223/5.56 ammo.

 

[kelbro]

Good info here.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

FBI Ballistics Gel Test Data for Black Hills 50gr TSX here:
http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7206084761/m/86520863663

Short version: good barrier blind performance that works in barrels from 8-20" and twists from 1:12 up.

Also see this thread for more .223 Drywall Penetration info:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=566923&highlight=.223+drywall+penetration

 

[shootr]

Lot's of great info here, thanks to all who posted!

 

[Ithaca37]

I don't mean to cause a problem but I do not see any calibration data shown that would allow for an accurate representation of the rounds performance

The calibration bb is clearly visible in the pictures.

 

[e.money83]

how would these ballistics compare with the 14" .223rem t/c contender pistol barrel. does being a single shot barrel increase energy? does the -.5" barrel length decrease energy?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

how would these ballistics compare with the 14" .223rem t/c contender pistol barrel. does being a single shot barrel increase energy? does the -.5" barrel length decrease energy?

The best answer would be to chrony your Thompson Contender with the relevant load. As a rough guess, I would imagine you are going to be around 50-150fps slower than the figures given for a 16" barrel.

As a general rule, .223 is going to INCREASE penetration as it goes slower because it less likely to break up and fragment (with exceptions based on bullet design). This study by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice covers barrels shorter than 14.5" as well as comparing penetration through typical home materials.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Just adding this link to the AR15.com Ammo Oracle discussion of Best Choices for Self-Defense Ammo, which is a great resource for both .223 ammo and ammo in general:

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

 

[Chris111]

This is great info. I'm kind of surprised about the 55 gr and 62 gr soft point comparison. I think this also clears up some question about fmj as well.

 

[303tom]

Quote; I also thought it was interesting that their American Eagle FMJ line penetrated 14" after passing through steel; but only 3.5" after passing through auto glass.

Glass is harder than steel !

 

[Busta Prima]

This is mostly a guess . . . but where the steel presented a relatively simple, one ingredient, possibly brittle barrier . . . the glass presents several laminations specifically designed to yield and sacrifice themselves thereby absorbing a LOT of energy. How it's Made featured windshields once . . . it isn't just glass. There are plastic or polymer sheets between the laminations of specially formulated glass.

 

[Sapper771]

How it's Made featured windshields once . . . it isn't just glass. There are plastic or polymer sheets between the laminations of specially formulated glass.

That's correct. Windshield glass is what's known as Laminate glass. Two 1/8" pieces glued together by a flexible core. That's why it stays together when struck.

I know that three pieces of Laminate glass glued together to form a laminated panel will stop most service caliber pistol rounds from 9mm-45acp. I dont know about rifle rounds, still in the process of testing that out.

 

[nipprdog]

This thread was started in 2005.

 

[Sapper771]

Yeah, just noticed that. Didn't mean to revive it. It showed up on my tapatalk as a current thread......I guess I fell for it.