View Full Version : Expansion Test: Fiocchi's 92gr 9mm EMB (Expanding Mono Block)
Today I tried a highly unscientific expansion test of the Fiocchi 92gr EMB from one of my M&P9c's.
I will admit to being a little concerned about using such a light bullet out of the 9c's short bbl.
I used 3 1-gal water jugs in full contact, presenting 18" of medium (I thought 2 might be sufficient w/the 3rd for a margin of safety).
Fired a single shot from 10', impacting the center of the first jug. Surprisingly, all 3 jugs exploded w/the third showing an exit hole out the back (shucks and other comments!).
Having deliberately set up the jugs so line-of-travel was easy to determine I decided to hunt out a bit along the bullet's probable track to see if I could locate it.
I'd barely looked down into the mud when I located the expanded bullet just inches away from the third jug's location. Apparently the bullet had just enough energy to barely punch out the back of the third jug and no further.
Expansion was a full & classic mushroom measuring .64" at the widest w/full weight retention (the bullet is entirely copper & bronze).
I realize this test is highly unscientific under ideal conditions but still I find myself impressed w/the level of expansion & depth of penetration from a short bbl.
Tomac
Recovered bullet w/an unfired cartridge:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofEMBAmmoTest003.jpg
Recovered bullet, side view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofEMBAmmoTest010.jpg
Recovered bullet, front view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofEMBAmmoTest009.jpg
looks like a pretty nice expansion... what's the idea behind such a light bullet anyway? seems like most agencies are going 124 or 147 grain...
looks like a pretty nice expansion... what's the idea behind such a light bullet anyway? seems like most agencies are going 124 or 147 grain...
Bronze/copper is lighter & less dense than lead so the EMB's 92gr bronze/copper bullet is the same size as a std 115gr lead bullet. However, I'd like to see a 124gr EMB (probably be about the same size as a std 147gr lead bullet).
Just got back from the range, here are the results, all fired from 10' through 1 layer of lined leather and 2 layers of denim and correlate to how you see the bullets in the pic from left to right:
1) (Not shown) 3.6" bbl, EMB, bullet passed through leather, denim and all 4 jugs and was not recovered (I have no idea what happened here).
2) 3.6" bbl, EMB, this is the bullet from the first test last week, no leather or denim, Exp = .64", Pen = 18".
3) 3.6" bbl, Fiocchi 115gr XTP JHP, Exp = .52", Pen = 18".
4) 3.6" bbl, EMB, Exp = .69", Pen = 15".
5) 3.6" bbl, EMB, Exp = .74", Pen = 18".
6) 4.25" bbl, EMB, Exp = .65", Pen = 18".
7) 4.25" bbl, EMB, Exp = .70"*, Pen = 18". * = shed 2 petals in the 2nd jug.
After the first unrecovered shot, following bullets penetrated wet leather/denim, I have no idea what effect if any it might have on expansion/penetration. Remarkably consistent penetration despite different bbl lengths or prescence/lack of leather/denim.
Also tested for comparison (but not shown):
8) Federal .40 180gr Hydra-Shok, 4" bbl, Exp = .61", Pen = 24".
9) Speer .40 155gr Gold Dot, 4" bbl, Exp = .61", Pen = 24".
Test setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofEMBAmmoTest2001.jpg
Recovered bullets:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofEMBAmmoTest2002.jpg
ETA: Here are some other 9mm water jug tests for comparison: http://stevespages.com/page8f9mmluger.html
looks like a pretty nice expansion... what's the idea behind such a light bullet anyway? seems like most agencies are going 124 or 147 grain...
European LE agencies have different priorities in ammunition selection than their US counterparts. They are big on the energy equals "stopping power" theory, and they also want the round to have a short maximum range. Lower projectile weight allows for higher velocities at the muzzle, but it gives up that velocity faster.
The really crazy European ammunition developments are hollowpoints that are designed on purpose not to expand more than the diameter of the projectile. This placates administrators who want to balance the demand from the rank and file for more "stopping power" than ball ammunition, but are worried about complaints from human rights groups that the use of expanding ammunition on criminals violates the Hague Accords. :rolleyes:
European LE agencies have different priorities in ammunition selection than their US counterparts. They are big on the energy equals "stopping power" theory, and they also want the round to have a short maximum range. Lower projectile weight allows for higher velocities at the muzzle, but it gives up that velocity faster.
The really crazy European ammunition developments are hollowpoints that are designed on purpose not to expand more than the diameter of the projectile. This placates administrators who want to balance the demand from the rank and file for more "stopping power" than ball ammunition, but are worried about complaints from human rights groups that the use of expanding ammunition on criminals violates the Hague Accords. :rolleyes:
hollowpoints designed not to expland... now i've heard it all :o
Okay, here's a question for those better versed than I in fluid dynamics:
For such a lightweight bullet the EMB seems to achieve notable penetration w/very good expansion. Could this unexpected penetration be due in part to the EMB's bronze post possibly enhancing post-expansion hydrodynamics instead of presenting the typical entirely flat mushroom shape of more std JHP's?
Tomac
Tomac, the rule of thumb is to divide water penetration by 1.8-2.0 to estimate calibrated ballistic gel penetration... so this load would present a very shallow (insuficient) penetration according to FBI standards, about 9".
These loads make me wonder why on earth would someone choose them??? Aside from being PC (or not as evil) for some people, what do they offer?
Tomac, the rule of thumb is to divide water penetration by 1.8-2.0 to estimate calibrated ballistic gel penetration... so this load would present a very shallow (insuficient) penetration according to FBI standards, about 9".
These loads make me wonder why on earth would someone choose them??? Aside from being PC (or not as evil) for some people, what do they offer?
Hmmm... In that case how many of the loads tested here would meet FBI penetration standards w/good expansion?: http://stevespages.com/page8f9mmluger.html
Tomac
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