.223 gel test: Hornady 55 gr FMJ and bonus fruit cocktail rocket

[AndrewWiggin]

Video link for gel test and fruit cocktail rocket





.223 hand load fired from 16" 1:9" twist AR-15 into calibrated 10% ordnance gelatin. Surefire FA556AR sound suppressor was attached. Bonus fruit cocktail rocket.

Hand load details: Hornady 55 gr FMJ loaded over 23.7 gr IMR 8082 XBR, Wolf primer.

BB calibration: 596.1 fps, 3.7"

Impact velocity: 2,773 fps
Penetration: 13.6"
Retained weight: 22.1 gr
Max expansion: N/A
Min expansion: N/A

Okay, so I had a couple of 6lb, 10oz cans of fruit cocktail that had swollen and I thought this would be a fun way to dispose of them. Obviously what happened was that the bullet poked a nice, small 0.224" hole in the front of the can and blew a much larger hole out the back of the can, the pressurized contents then jetted out both holes, but much more mass made it through the larger hole, propelling the can toward me in obedience to Newton. If I had two brain cells to rub together, I might have predicted that result. If you're gonna do something stupid, though, might as well get it on video.

[markm]

Are you in AZ by chance? Area looks very AZish.

[AndrewWiggin]

Yes, sir. I live in North Phoenix and I usually shoot at Table Mesa.

[markm]

Yes, sir. I live in North Phoenix and I usually shoot at Table Mesa.

That was going to be my next guess. Something about that power lines and the hills reminded me of Table Mesa. I think I shot out there 2 or 3 times.

[AndrewWiggin]

It was getting pretty trashed but the BLM designated certain areas for specific uses and some groups have been volunteering to clean up and it's getting a lot nicer. I do believe that they need to close the shooting areas for ATV use, though. It's only fair that if ATV areas are closed to shooting, that shooting areas be closed to ATV use, with the same penalty for disregarding the rules.

There is one BLM officer that has been a part of the effort to keep the place open to shooting and he makes contact with most people most of the time, explains the rules and hands out flyers with safety and range use rules. I see him about 2 out of 3 trips. Nice guy. Never asks for "Papers, please," or any of that BS. Just explains some rules and asks people to pick up after themselves. I've noticed a dramatic difference in the amount of trash since he's been doing that.

[markm]

It was getting pretty trashed but the BLM designated certain areas for specific uses and some groups have been volunteering to clean up and it's getting a lot nicer. I do believe that they need to close the shooting areas for ATV use, though. It's only fair that if ATV areas are closed to shooting, that shooting areas be closed to ATV use, with the same penalty for disregarding the rules.

Absolutely. Don't get me started on the ATV retards.

[AndrewWiggin]

I don't think ANYBODY likes them. They probably do far more real damage to the flora and even the fauna than shooters do. They're constantly scaring game and too stupid to avoid areas where people are actively shooting. I'm not talking about people who use an ATV to get to difficult to access areas and then dismount to do their hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, or whatever floats their boat. I'm talking about the jackwagons that go out there specifically for the purpose of spending a few hours with a 250 cc vibrator between their quivering thighs and against their buttocks, driving in circles and yelling "woo-hoo". Makes me wish the quad was never invented so that more people would die on three wheel ATVs.

[markm]

I agree... I'd be way more vocal about it if not for all the trash some of the shooting dumb asses leave out in the desert.

[AndrewWiggin]

That's a good point, but it's getting better and even when there was no one picking it up, it was mostly confined to certain spots. The ATV pricks destroy vegetation and leave trash scattered all over the desert.