Barnes MPG Performance?

[Burt Gummer]

My question concerns primarily the .308 (7.62x51mm). Using DocGKR’s advice (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19878), my load of choice is the Hornady TAP 155 gr A-MAX. But, the new Barnes MPG has brought my attention (forum search yielded zero results):


MPG™ Multi-Purpose Green™ Bullets from Barnes
Barnes is developing two new bullets featuring Multi-Purpose Green (MPG™) technology developed for military and law enforcement applications. MPG bullets feature a highly frangible, powdered-metal copper-tin core inside a guilding metal jacket.

Unlike frangible bullets lacking a protective jacket, MPG bullets remain intact under the rigors of handling, feeding and firing. This eliminates the primary cause of jammed actions and plugged barrels often experienced when firing frangible ammunition.

A 140-grain 7.62mm (.308) version will be available for AR-10, SR-25, M40 (Remington 700) and M14 rifles with 1:12” or faster rifling twists. A 55-grain 5.56mm (.224) MPG bullet will be best suited for M4, HK416 and AR-15 type autoloaders and other firearms with rifling twist rates of 1:9” or faster. These open-tip bullets remain intact at ultra-high velocities and extreme rates of spin. On impact, they deliver explosive fragmentation. Below is the 30 caliber MPG bullet fired into ballistics ordnance gelatin at an impact velocity of approximately 2600 fps.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/MPGgelatin140gr.jpg

Barnes’ Multi-Purpose Green bullets are exceptionally accurate. They’re ideal for shooting steel targets, competition, plinking, varmint hunting and home defense. “Green” is military shorthand for “lead-free”—a requirement in military and LE practice environments.

Source: http://www.barnesbullets.com/resources/newsletters/november-2007-barnes-bullet-n/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page)
I’ll keep using the TAP load for general purpose, but would the 140 gr. MPG be better suited for CQB/indoors use … providing 12” minimum penetration—yet have FULL fragmentation—in 10% ballistic gelatin is achieved (as shown in the above photo)?

This cross-section shows it's purpose-built to yaw:
http://www.wideners.com/images/thumbs/Image1171.jpg

Currently, this bullet is factory loaded by Cor-Bon (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=296140), albeit very expensive. Black Hills will be offering the MPG in .223 loading (http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/2009+New+Ammunition), but I'm not sure if BH will be loading the .308 MPG.

Are there any future tests planned for this load?

Does anyone have an idea on this bullet's terminal performance potential?

Thanks!

[Terminal Effect]

Thank you for the BG pic. However, it seems several important factors are missing, that would be Barnes' responsibility:
(RD)
RL
TC
TC located where and how large?
FRAG
RW
PEN
NL

[DocGKR]

Advertising does not require proper analysis...

[Burt Gummer]

True, the picture doesn't tell us if proper FBI protocols were used. Independent testing would be the "proof in the pudding".

Any plans for future testing this load?

[iceman0085]

thx for the infos. These new rounds sounds verry promosing. I will check out the 308 version of this round is avialable here in austria. I hope the availablity is better then the avabililty of the tap rounds.

[DocGKR]

The MPG's do work well.

[Burt Gummer]

Thank you.

[Molon]

The MPG's do work well.

How does the .224" (55 grain) version of the MPG perform? Would you recommend it for self-defense usage?

[iceman0085]

The MPG's do work well.


Thx for your feedback.:) I have done alredy some investigations and I have found an importer which would import the MPGS in 308 win.

[Burt Gummer]

From another forum, posted by Director of Business Development for Barnes Bullets:


This lead free bullet was originally designed for the Navy for CQB. At the time we called it the Multi-Purpose Green, or MPG. That is what Corbon calls it in its excellent loading.

Unlike other frangible bullets that are "sintered" (oven hardened with no jacket), the Barnes bullet has a copper jacket with an open tip. The core is compressed powdered metal. This makes it carry and feed as reliably as an FMJ, something sintered bullets sometimes find challenging.

Because of the metal jacket, this bullet will not disintegrate unless it hits hard objects such as steel or concrete. It will penetrate clothing, sheetrock, plywood and other intermediate barriers. It will usually not get through windshields or heavy commercial glass. When the open tip fills with fluid, it rapidly tears the jacket apart and the core almost "explodes".

Performance in gel?

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r109/ChanBates/7-62140grRRLP.jpg

This shot was from 30', 2900 fps from a 20" barrel; neck length = 2"; temporary cavity length 8"; temporary cavity diameter at 6" penetration = 7"; total penetration, 12" for base of jacket, one other particle to about 16". No downrange concerns after striking a soft target.

[katgirl]

The MPG's do work well.
I wish I could chat with you, along with shooting and a zillion other things, medical forensics is a huge interest of mine. I was going to post about your response to my question to you abut this. Thanks!

Best always,
Kathy