Winchester Ranger 135gr 40 S&W Gel Test Results

[plouffedaddy]

Finished up the testing of the Winchester Ranger 135gr 40 S&W JHP (Q4368) load. Here are the results:

Conditions:
-Test gun: Gen2 Glock 22
-Media: Clear Ballistics "FBI spec" (they're term, not mine....) gel block with 4 layers of denim

Chrono Data:
-1174 FPS, 414 FT/LBS energy from 10 feet

Terminal Performance:
-18'' penetration
-134 grains retained weight
-.58'' average expansion

I was quite surprised by the penetration but my guess is it was likely due to the fact that it didn't expand as much as other 40 S&W bullets I've tested to date.

Here's the video of the test so you can see how it all played out:

 

[Bovice]

1174 FPS and only a 135 grain bullet?

Seems slow to me. That's more like a 155 grain speed. Which explains the poor expansion compared to other rounds.

 

[Vulcan71]

Check out a 2008-2010 Winchester LE catalog and you will understand (bullet expansion; non-bonded 135 gr bullet) as the FBI testing data is shown with bullet pictures. This ammo is designed for rapid expansion, reduced penetration, improved energy transfer, and low recoil for rapid follow-up shoots.

 

[Bovice]

Check out a 2008-2010 Winchester LE catalog and you will understand (bullet expansion; non-bonded 135 gr bullet) as the FBI testing data is shown with bullet pictures. This ammo is designed for rapid expansion, reduced penetration, improved energy transfer, and low recoil for rapid follow-up shoots.

Aha, I see how that could be true. Much past that speed, I'd imagine you'd zip right through.

I think I'd rather have the heavier offering.

 

[SDGlock23]

Since the sectional density is so poor on the 135gr .40, once you start upping the velocity it starts to fragment badly and penetration just gets worse. This load is kind of a low recoil option, as most 135gr .40 runs 1300-1350 or Underwoods which claims 1500 fps, which is nice and all but too fast really. So as strange as it is to say, I feel a 135gr bullet needs to be kept around 1250 fps or less in order for it to penetrate better and fragment less.

I have some of these Ranger 135's and the Federal HST 135gr and both clock a slow 1,070-1,080 fps from a 3" barrel, but at least recoil is feathery light and penetration isn't that bad, not like a 165-180gr but not bad either. A more normal 135gr like some older Tritons I have lying around average 1,260 from the 3" tube.

 

[plouffedaddy]

I think I'd rather have the heavier offering

Ditto