GMX and TSX GR variety performance as well as mk262 SMK/TMK barrier performance.

[ryannairnmoore]

Question regarding 55gr,70gr GMX/TSX and TMK SMK barrier performance.
While doing research between the 55gr 70gr BARRIER GMX TAP (not the super performance load),I noticed on Hornady's website the 70gr is said to meet fbi requirements but the 55gr does not have any such description on the ballistics information page. It seems that the 55gr penetrates deeper, has better cavity depth and terminal performance. I wanted to know if the 55gr GMX BARRIER TAP meets FBI ballistic testing. Basically for performance from 100y out to 350y. Which of these two BARRIER TAP loads would be the better performer?
This is my first post on this site. I have been very heavily involved in researching and enjoying the information in the forums.
-Thank you everyone for building such a great community.


My other question was in regards to the mk262 TIPPED SIERRA MATCHKING (TMK Blackhills load) Will this round still be able to hit a ballistic target inside of a vehicle. To what degree will the SMK and TMK actually perform against barriers. It seems people make it seem like it's not cable at all if there is a barrier in between you and your target. What can I expect from the SMK and TMK when engaging a vehicle with ballistic gel inside various points? (forward into front auto glass, side windows as well as through the paneling on the vehicle.

I really want details as I am going to be going out to my friends property to do some testing with all of the rounds listed in my post. I just want some help from the community here as far as what I am going to be experiencing.
-Thank you- Ryan M

[MegademiC]

My thiughts:
50 gr tsx optimized (black hills load) will be the best all around.
Don't know about the 62 gr optimized.
77gr tsx will perform well. The petals tend to shear off through glass/steel.

Smks frag through glass resulting is very shallow penetration. If I was planning on defending myself through glass, these would rank low on the list. For most other shots, they perform very well. Hard to beat for an HD to long range outdoor use.

To know the true performance, you'll want gel behind the glass. Water jugs will give you an idea and is better than nothing. Looking forward to it!

[ryannairnmoore]

Great, I appreciate the informative response. I am still confused about the ballistic gel performance on Hornady's site. It pretty much said that the 55gr GMX penetrates better compared to the 70gr. Does this mean the 55gr is better all but at long range?

[WS6]

I think the 70gr GMX is going to be a good deal. The GMX bullets are "more durable" than the TSX bullets, and shouldn't shear petals/lose much mass through auto-glass or other harder barriers, while still expanding very well on soft tissue.

[MegademiC]

The 55 grain gmx looks like it didn't expand and that's why it penetrate more. Besed on the gel shots, I'd go with the 70, but the 55 looks good. I think the gmx loads will fall in right under the 50 gr optimized BH tsx. We'll see though.

[ryannairnmoore]

The price of the TSX is just isnt practical for practicing unless xm193 would have the same POI. doesnt the 55gr GMX have the same POI as xm193 or does the length of the copper weight to length ratio make it more on track with 62gr loads?
I really want to know how ineffective mk262 or TMK which is advertised as having better barrier performance then the original mk262. Could you still hit a target behind a vehicle through the front windshield with the TMK and get a hit?

[WS6]

The price of the TSX is just isnt practical for practicing unless xm193 would have the same POI. doesnt the 55gr GMX have the same POI as xm193 or does the length of the copper weight to length ratio make it more on track with 62gr loads?
I really want to know how ineffective mk262 or TMK which is advertised as having better barrier performance then the original mk262. Could you still hit a target behind a vehicle through the front windshield with the TMK and get a hit?

Maybe, maybe not, but you would hit it with a tiny fragment, whatever occurred. It's just a big nosler ballistic tip for all common intents.

[ryannairnmoore]

I also saw that the 70gr GMX only created a perm cavity of 1.5in on plain gel. The 55gr got 5inches of perm cavity. This I don't understand.

[WS6]

I also saw that the 70gr GMX only created a perm cavity of 1.5in on plain gel. The 55gr got 5inches of perm cavity. This I don't understand.

Look at the pictures. It's likely a typo...

[MegademiC]

Maybe, maybe not, but you would hit it with a tiny fragment, whatever occurred. It's just a big nosler ballistic tip for all common intents.

This. It's not about hitting a target, it's about being able to stop a threat on the other side, which means it needs to still be able to penetrate enough tissue to reach and penetrate the vitals.

I don't know how they calculate perm cavity, but the temp cavity is a wounding mechanism for rifle rounds. That said, die tends to make it look better than it is. The 70 showed significant vertical cracking along the wound channel, which I would think is a good thing, but can say for sure. I'd like to hear an experts opinion on that.