View Full Version : Federal Fusion 150gr 300BLK Gel Test
Mrgunsngear
08-17-17, 09:46
http://i.imgur.com/vwHG6Z8l.jpg
Hadn't seen much on this ammo out there so I decided to put it through some of my old clear ballistics gel.
Performance wise, it seemed to work about like any other Fusion bullet in gel tests I've seen. Retained weight was great (149gr) and the expansion was good expansion even at the lower velocities that result with a 300BLK loading especially in a 9'' barrel as I used in the test here. FWIW, the 9'' barrel was producing over 1,700 FPS on average.
Test video:
https://youtu.be/ulITYMS2O50
friendlyfireisnt
08-19-17, 10:36
Another good video.
Federal missed an opportunity here, in my opinion. The sweet spot for supersonic loads in .300blk is 110-120gr.
That seems like an awful lot of penetration for a soft point bullet.
The bullet has to be made in a shape that fits a 5.56 AR mag unless someone makes a fully dedicated 300 BLK mag. This limits how short the bullet can be overall, as well as the shape of the ogive (the curvature to the tip). There are also limitations on the shape of bullets due to manufacturing.
So the bullet weight might be designed for hog hunting, a design limit of how light they could make it, or just the same bullet they use on other 30 caliber loads.
I'm still interested to see more testing.
That seems like an awful lot of penetration for a soft point bullet.
The major perm cavity seems to happen in the first 13" so I'd imagine GTG as it's intended role, but I'm no terminal ballistics expert.
friendlyfireisnt
08-19-17, 14:38
The bullet has to be made in a shape that fits a 5.56 AR mag unless someone makes a fully dedicated 300 BLK mag. This limits how short the bullet can be overall, as well as the shape of the ogive (the curvature to the tip). There are also limitations on the shape of bullets due to manufacturing.
So the bullet weight might be designed for hog hunting, a design limit of how light they could make it, or just the same bullet they use on other 30 caliber loads.
I'm still interested to see more testing.
There are plenty of 90-125gr bullets that work just fine in AR mags for .300blk.
The 110gr Barnes Blacktips are the one to measure against. If Federal wants to crack that market, it needs to do something better than the Blacktip. Accuracy, velocity, expansion threshold, price, etc.
I don't know how light a fusion bullet for 300 BLK can be made, maybe it is less than 150gr. I'd love to see a bonded option in the 120gr range, but that doesn't make the design constraints untrue.
There are some short bullets loaded for the 300 BLK that don't feed as reliably.
There is the solid copper option, being lighter than lead the copper bullet is longer.
There are only a few lead bullets designed for the 300 BLK that light, and they have a large hollow area in the tip. You can't do that with a bonded bullet like the fusion.
I've been running this (130 Speer #2007) from two BO pistols, shoots great, 100% reliability from either Magpul or Lancers. Seated to cannelure with a Lee FCD and using H110.
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=85
I don't know how light a fusion bullet for 300 BLK can be made, maybe it is less than 150gr. I'd love to see a bonded option in the 120gr range, but that doesn't make the design constraints untrue.
There are some short bullets loaded for the 300 BLK that don't feed as reliably.
There is the solid copper option, being lighter than lead the copper bullet is longer.
There are only a few lead bullets designed for the 300 BLK that light, and they have a large hollow area in the tip. You can't do that with a bonded bullet like the fusion.
As mentioned. Above, 150 I is way heavy. Hell that is 308/7.62x51 weight. Most of the hi end supersonic loads are lighter (like the excellent Barnes 110.
As mentioned. Above, 150 I is way heavy. Hell that is 308/7.62x51 weight. Most of the hi end supersonic loads are lighter (like the excellent Barnes 110.
I contacted Federal and they told me that this bullet was designed specifically for 300 BLK and lower velocities. They mentioned that it should have expansion to 100 yards out of an 8" barrel. It is also ballistically similar to the 150gr FMJ AE load that they produce.
If it truly expands within the distance envelope where one would be hunting, does the weight of the project really matter? Just something to ponder.
I've been running this (130 Speer #2007) from two BO pistols, shoots great, 100% reliability from either Magpul or Lancers. Seated to cannelure with a Lee FCD and using H110.
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=85
Those short bullets can run well, and run better in Pmag's than GI. But they don't always. Remember the original Remington UMC supersonic with the short bullet? It was basically a .308 sized AK bullet. Reliability was fine if you loaded and fired it, but went to shit if you loaded the mags and bounced them around in mag pouches for a while. Remington had to pull all that ammo back and spend time and money making a longer hollow tip bullet design.
I'm not claiming this 150gr is the best or lightest bonded load possible, just that there are significant design constraints involved in making 300 BLK ammo the right way.
All of the proper 300 BLK lighter bullet designs have a large hollow tip or are made of all copper. Fusion bullets can't be made that way.
I contacted Federal and they told me that this bullet was designed specifically for 300 BLK and lower velocities. They mentioned that it should have expansion to 100 yards out of an 8" barrel. It is also ballistically similar to the 150gr FMJ AE load that they produce.
If it truly expands within the distance envelope where one would be hunting, does the weight of the project really matter? Just something to ponder.
From a hunting perspective, I want a pass through, so if I would be using a rifle, I'd definitely consider this. For defensive purposes, it may be a bit much, but I'd be interested in seeing more tests. I'm defiantly not going to base my HD load off 1 test.
Those loads are just range fodder, I use the Barnes for anything serious. I was using the 3037 150 Hornady to great success as well but wanted to get the practice closer to the Barnes in regards to zero. I might try the Vmax or SST next.
Just loaded some of these: Sierra .30 CALIBER/7.62MM (.308) 135 GR HP VARMINTER #2124
No hunting experience with them yet but the gel test detailed below and a small number of reviews all look very promising.
https://sierrabulletsblog.com/2016/07/05/explosive-expansion-from-new-sierra-varminter-bullet/
I contacted Federal and they told me that this bullet was designed specifically for 300 BLK and lower velocities. They mentioned that it should have expansion to 100 yards out of an 8" barrel. It is also ballistically similar to the 150gr FMJ AE load that they produce.
If it truly expands within the distance envelope where one would be hunting, does the weight of the project really matter? Just something to ponder.
Yes. You're giving up TSC as a wounding mechanism at 1700fps MV, and basically you have a sexy pistol bullet.
LockenLoad
10-31-17, 20:34
The bullet has to be made in a shape that fits a 5.56 AR mag unless someone makes a fully dedicated 300 BLK mag. This limits how short the bullet can be overall, as well as the shape of the ogive (the curvature to the tip). There are also limitations on the shape of bullets due to manufacturing.
So the bullet weight might be designed for hog hunting, a design limit of how light they could make it, or just the same bullet they use on other 30 caliber loads.
I'm still interested to see more testing.
Magpul has a dedicated 300 BLK p-mag out I bought 4 on the way
Those loads are just range fodder, I use the Barnes for anything serious. I was using the 3037 150 Hornady to great success as well but wanted to get the practice closer to the Barnes in regards to zero. I might try the Vmax or SST next.
Same boat.
I load 110 Vmax for practice and predator control, I use the 110 Barnes for "serious".
At 2400 FPS+- both the Vmax and Barnes bullets print real close to same POI to 300 yds. I can recommend them for range use.
I'll add; the Vmax are considerably shorter than the monolithic Barnes of same weight.
The listed COAL is 2.050". We've found that too short in a few guns.
I load to 2.075" with the Vmax which has proven functional in all guns tested.
Accuracy usually surpasses the Barnes bullet as well.
Just loaded some of these: Sierra .30 CALIBER/7.62MM (.308) 135 GR HP VARMINTER #2124
No hunting experience with them yet but the gel test detailed below and a small number of reviews all look very promising.
https://sierrabulletsblog.com/2016/07/05/explosive-expansion-from-new-sierra-varminter-bullet/
Shot a deer with this round day before yesterday. Hit right side about 9" from front at downward angle, quartering away; this should have taken lung and likely heart as well. Range approximately 40-50 yards in very heavy cover; clear path, but small window. Very quick kill, but no exit nor blood trail. Deer went about 20 yards, which was way it was facing when hit and downhill. Did not recover bullet as I clean deer using gutless method.
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