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Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition Ballistics Test
LuckyGunner.com ^ | 15 Oct, 2015 | Chris Baker

Posted on 11/01/2015 7:08:22 AM PST by MtnClimber

Over the last few months, I’ve been working with the rest of the Lucky Gunner team on another one of our epic experiments, which we’re proud to finally unveil: ballistics gelatin testing for over 100 self-defense handgun ammunition loads. 117 to be precise, and that’s just round one. This testing will be ongoing, and we’ll keep adding to the results as we have the chance to test more loads. If you came here just to see the data from our tests, you can use the handy menu above to skip right to the results section. If this whole ballistics testing thing is new to you, or you want to know more about our process, then you might want to keep reading. If you’re more of a “bottom line” kind of person, you can skip over both the setup and the test results and check out the conclusions section. However you use this information, we hope you find it helpful when picking out your next self-defense load.

(Excerpt) Read more at luckygunner.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: ammo; banglist; handgun
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To: spetznaz

I believe the HST to be the best round.

I have been reading its reviews and comparisons ever since it was released. It has consistently, over many years, performed as the best round in every caliber.


21 posted on 11/01/2015 9:03:39 AM PST by ForYourChildren (Christian Education [ RomanRoadsMedia.com - Classical Christian Approach to Homeschool ])
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To: Lurker

Kinda splodes on impact. Little pieces go everywhere. Highest velocity by far.


22 posted on 11/01/2015 9:11:21 AM PST by 1FreeAmerican
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To: ForYourChildren
It is an amazing bullet. Expands to over .65 caliber, and retains 100% of its weight like a bonded bullet. If a person does his job and puts rounds on target, the HST will do its job and stop the threat. The HST (and other modern 9mm bullets) have made the 9mm a solid choice over other calibers. More capacity than larger bullets, more controllability than the .357 SIG, and now with consistent expansion that does away with the 'little bullet' argument.

I was so happy when I received my HSTs last week. I'd been looking for them for years. Until recently, the best round one could get here was the Hydrashok (which is not as bad as it has been made out to be over the last several years), and then I was fortunate enough to get some Ranger Bonded some months back. A shipment of Gold Dots to my dealer got impounded apparently, and then out of the blue another dealer had HSTs!!!!

I should have framed the smile on my face.

23 posted on 11/01/2015 9:13:02 AM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: diverteach

I’ve tried a few types of defense loads and I found them to be not as accurate as FMJ. The Liberty 50gr 9mm +P had a group about 4 times wider out of my CM9. Not sure if that is normal. I noticed it on Hornady Critical Defense rounds in my 1911 too just nit as severe.

This means more shooting until I find the right loads for my guns. More fun ate the range.


24 posted on 11/01/2015 9:14:10 AM PST by Dutch Boy
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To: spetznaz

Can you legally carry concealed in Kenya?


25 posted on 11/01/2015 9:18:54 AM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
The late Paul Gomez has something to say about this.
26 posted on 11/01/2015 9:43:18 AM PST by real saxophonist (YouTube + Twitter + Facebook = YouTwitFace.com)
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To: spetznaz

I have been spending the last 1/2 hr watching almost all the videos.

The videos are very informative.

Previously, all we had were the final pictures. Now we can see the wound channel as it is created.

Even though the final bullet resting point may be good, some wound channels are large very early on, but then become very small as the bullet continues another 8 inches or so. Some wound channels are much better at opening up a bit later or they may continue being a good size pretty much throughout the shot.

Very interesting!


27 posted on 11/01/2015 9:52:10 AM PST by ForYourChildren (Christian Education [ RomanRoadsMedia.com - Classical Christian Approach to Homeschool ])
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To: spetznaz

My absolute favorite is the HST. Previously it was the Hydrashok.

But for political reasons, I always have the first two rounds a black talon.


28 posted on 11/01/2015 9:53:29 AM PST by ForYourChildren (Christian Education [ RomanRoadsMedia.com - Classical Christian Approach to Homeschool ])
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To: MtnClimber

Two-shot High Standard 22 magnum with Class III wallet holster. Almost unbeatable. Surprise and then a VERY high velocity small caliber round bouncing off around inside of a perp’s skeletal system. Care to argue?


29 posted on 11/01/2015 11:13:38 AM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: MtnClimber

Yes one can. It requires a very long and involving licensing process, where one has to be thoroughly vetted, with many steps going up the police chain, having the Kenyan FBI equivalent - CID - do a background search on you, and finally if you get the license having to show that you have a safe place to keep it (they even check your safe). Also, the license is renewed yearly, and there’s no right to own. However, with the license one can CCW almost everywhere.


30 posted on 11/01/2015 11:16:24 AM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

I would not want to get shot with that. I carried a 2-shot Derringer for a short time. It was 45 Long Colt and the muzzle rise caused it to hit very high at any kind of distance. I went for greater round count after 5 gang-like youths pulled up behind me at an ATM. At the time I had a Colt 380 Ponylite in my pocket and a Glock 30 back in my car. They were arguing about who was going to get me and I grabbed my cash and made it back to my car and Glock 30 before they decided. They then tore out of the parking lot. After that I never thought a self defense encounter was usually a one-on-one deal again.


31 posted on 11/01/2015 11:41:40 AM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
I would not want to get shot with that.

Ask ANYONE you know that KNOWS guns and ballistics about getting shot at close range with a .22 magnum hollow point and watch their face when they answer. The shock and awe from the first guy shot with the thing and his screaming would see the other four running like hell.

32 posted on 11/01/2015 12:01:22 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: MtnClimber

Aw, skip it. What do I know?


33 posted on 11/01/2015 12:02:40 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: MtnClimber

I use Hornady XTP pistol bullets in my muzzleloader
for hunting and was able to recover one from from a
whitetail doe. The expansion and weight retention were ideal.

Other game taken with this bullet has had complete
pass through penetration but this was a more extreme
quartering away shot. Aiming for the far shoulder the
entrance was almost the middle of the deer. It performed
exactly as designed.

The Hornady XTP, eXtreme Terminal Performance, is designed
to reliably expand at the lower velocities found in pistols
which also applies to blackpowder firearms although I would
assume a higher velocity from a muzzleloader than a short
barreled pistol. The deer was also wearing a deerskin fur coat.


34 posted on 11/01/2015 12:25:26 PM PST by TLOne (All terrorists want is for us to bow and worship their god. Oh, and to let them rule.)
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To: TLOne

What caliber were you using? I am guessing .45 as in the Long Colt in 0.454. One thing I have noticed about the XTP is that they are pretty tough construction.


35 posted on 11/01/2015 12:41:46 PM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

Thanks for the post!

There is a certain artistic beauty to blocks of ballistic gel with bullet tracks in them. :-)

Looks like my Critical Defense did pretty well overall.


36 posted on 11/01/2015 1:27:25 PM PST by Nervous Tick (There is no "allah" but satan, and mohammed was his demon-possessed tool.)
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To: Squantos; archy

Good article, lot’s of data.


37 posted on 11/01/2015 2:24:33 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

I remember getting shot with a spit wad ,,Ouch !

Shows Nobody likes getting shot with ANYTHING!


38 posted on 11/01/2015 2:40:41 PM PST by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY!)
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To: MtnClimber

A .50 cal muzzleloader shoots a .44 bullet in a plastic sabot. A .54 uses a .45 bullet/sabot, and a .45 shoots a .357 bullet/sabot.


39 posted on 11/01/2015 2:54:16 PM PST by TLOne (All terrorists want is for us to bow and worship their god. Oh, and to let them rule.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Thanks Amigo ..... BFLR !!


40 posted on 11/01/2015 3:24:05 PM PST by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
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