Hello all
I performed a performance test on four 9mm hollow points and wold like to share the results. Ammo tested was Speer Gold Dot 147 grain, Federal Tactical HST 124 gr and 147 gr, and Fiocchi Extrema EMB 92 gr. The Federal were tested using 3 one-gallon jugs filled with bentonite slurry (a drilling gel) with a gallon jug of water catcher, with two layers of denim over the first jug. The Gold Dot and Fiocchi were tested by firing vertically into a 4" PVC pipe filled with 12" to 16" of bentonite gel capped top end with cloth and denim, and bottom end with strechable nylon (to hold in the bentonite). The PVC pipe was mounted atop a 5-gallon bucket of water (see comments below pics on this device setup).
The Federal 147 and 124 exhibited the greatest apparent expansion. The Gold Dot did not open as much and appeared to use less of the bullet. The Fiocchi EMB also has a nice expansion. None of the bullets were adversely affected by the denim or cotton.
Here is top view of all four bullets
Here is side view of all four bullets
Here is an oblique view of all four bullets
The 4" PVC pipe setup didn't work well, as the force/energy exerted within the gel was too much for the PVC setup. The first round blew the top fabric off (held on with hose clamps) and spewed bentonite gel out (the pipe was full of gel). After setting back up with less bentonite inside, the second round (fiocchi) actually caused the PVC to split and break apart. Since the Fiocchi has a "petal" pushes against the bullet body, it's possible it was deflected against the side of the PVC pipe.
I performed a performance test on four 9mm hollow points and wold like to share the results. Ammo tested was Speer Gold Dot 147 grain, Federal Tactical HST 124 gr and 147 gr, and Fiocchi Extrema EMB 92 gr. The Federal were tested using 3 one-gallon jugs filled with bentonite slurry (a drilling gel) with a gallon jug of water catcher, with two layers of denim over the first jug. The Gold Dot and Fiocchi were tested by firing vertically into a 4" PVC pipe filled with 12" to 16" of bentonite gel capped top end with cloth and denim, and bottom end with strechable nylon (to hold in the bentonite). The PVC pipe was mounted atop a 5-gallon bucket of water (see comments below pics on this device setup).
The Federal 147 and 124 exhibited the greatest apparent expansion. The Gold Dot did not open as much and appeared to use less of the bullet. The Fiocchi EMB also has a nice expansion. None of the bullets were adversely affected by the denim or cotton.
Here is top view of all four bullets
Here is side view of all four bullets
Here is an oblique view of all four bullets
The 4" PVC pipe setup didn't work well, as the force/energy exerted within the gel was too much for the PVC setup. The first round blew the top fabric off (held on with hose clamps) and spewed bentonite gel out (the pipe was full of gel). After setting back up with less bentonite inside, the second round (fiocchi) actually caused the PVC to split and break apart. Since the Fiocchi has a "petal" pushes against the bullet body, it's possible it was deflected against the side of the PVC pipe.