Hornady Critical Defense Ammo Tests

[mike benedict]

I tested some of the new Critical Defense Ammo today using the Ballistic Test Tubes. It is a blue wax based media that you multiply the penetration by 1.34 to equate to ballistic gel

here are the results
38 special 110 gr recovered wt 110 gr
expanded diameter .48
penetration 4.3 inches gel conversion 5.76
max cavity .5 inches

380 acp 90 gr recovered wt 88 gr
expanded diameter ..49
penetration 4.1 inches conversion 5.49
max cavity .5 inches

I also tested Remington Golden saber .380
380 acp 102 gr recovered wt 102 gr
expanded diameter .40
penetration 5.0 inches conversion 6.7
max cavity .5 inches

and Winchester STX
380 acp 95 gr recovered wt 95 gr
expanded diameter .51
penetration 3.5 inches conversion 4.7
max cavity .5 inches

all bullets expanded to a mushroom except the Golden Saber which pealed back the jacket but not much else.

order in picture
38 special Critical Defense
.380 Critical Defense
.380 Winchester STX
.380 Remington GS

[Jack_Stroker]

It doesn't sound like any of that ammunition in the given calibers penetrates enough in ballistics gel or the wax media to be an effective defense round.

[mike benedict]

I was not impressed either but I think I will re-test the rounds again.
I have a bunch of the media so I want to test 9mm and 45 carry rounds also.
The media is to be between 70 and 74 degrees for a valid test
It was 70 out yesterday and the media was in my truck for 3 hours outside but I did not put a temp probe in it. So I'm going to leave it in my house overnight and measure the temp before I shoot it again.

[WillBrink]

It doesn't sound like any of that ammunition in the given calibers penetrates enough in ballistics gel or the wax media to be an effective defense round.

Hence, one of many reasons .380 is not recommended as an effective SD rnd. Seems in line with what's usually seen I believe no?

[mike benedict]

I did not find the .380 acp results as surprising as the Critical Defense 38 special round. I expected a lot more from that load


Mike

[DocGKR]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=25310&page=2

[ToddG]

Guys, I have to assume the 1.34 conversion factor is wrong. No fault of Mike's but whoever came up with that number can't be right.

There is no way those rounds are only penetrating the equivalent of 5" of jello. For example, in DocGKR's testing, the first round (which got a converted 5.76" in the test above) averaged 12.1" in bare jello.

Chest thumping aside, a .380 in your hand beats a .45 in your car or in your nightstand. There are places where I can discreetly carry my Ruger LCP that I can't carry a full size or compact gun.

[mike benedict]

I emailed the company to see what they say about the 1.34x.

The tubes a re kinda neat since you pour water in the wound cavity to get total volume then cut them in half to look at the cavity. When you are done just melt them and re-cast into new tubes.


Mike

[ToddG]

Mike -- FWIW, your result (4.3) compared to DocGKR's in real jello (12.1) results in a 2.81 conversion factor (just about twice what the manufacturer claims).

[DocGKR]

"The tubes a re kinda neat since you pour water in the wound cavity to get total volume then cut them in half to look at the cavity."

NEGATIVE! The tubes don't properly distinguish between permanent and temporary cavity, so you are not really getting a true measurement of anything.