9mm Terminal Ballistics

[KCabbage]

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Fackler...hester_9mm.pdf

I was looking over the figures in the data chart and it appears all of the 147 gr. bullets that expanded over .57" failed to penetrate 12" of human muscle. All of the bullets that expanded less than .57" penetrated at least 12".

With several modern 147 gr. loads expanding to at least .57" in layered ballistic gel it had me wondering if the 147 gr. bullets were the deep penetrators they were made out to be.

[Fail-Safe]

I believe the round tested was the old Winchester Super-X JHP. Note one of the expanded projectiles has rounded leading edges and the jacket is expanded to the base. That would account for the lackluster expansion. Todays rounds like Ranger T have a larger expanded diameter(.62-.66) and still penetrate right at 14 inches.

I had more to type, but I'm so tired I forgot it while I was typing.

[KCabbage]

Thats what I don't understand. That data shows the larger the bullet expanded the less it penetrated. How are todays loads different especially when these bullets are designed to expand larger and fully within the first four inches?

Bother way, go get some shut eye

[Fail-Safe]

The edges of the bullets today are sharp, not rounded. They cut tissue as opposed to pushing it aside.

[KCabbage]

I thought about that but figured it would only really aid in cutting a wider hole rather than cut deeper. Some hard evidence similar to the link would be awfully nice.

Thanks for keeping up with me FS. Have a good weekend.

[KCabbage]

How common are exits with the 147 gr.?

[Beat Trash]

How common are exits with the 147 gr.?

My department has been using the WW 147gr JHP since transitioning from revolvers in the late 1980's.

When our officers shoot people with them, sometimes the bullet exits, sometimes it does not. It all depends on where the individual is struck, any barriers, and/or clothing, and how thick the body was at that point.

Bottom line is that over penetration is not something that is viewed by my agency as a liability issue. One missed round will blow all of the over penetration worries out the window.

[KCabbage]

Thanks Beat. Over penetration isn't a concern. How well does it do against multiple bones?

[Beat Trash]

Not sure what you're talking about with multiple bones.

I've seen a knee destroyed.

I've seen skull bone penetrated.

There is a limit to the amount of testing an agency will do with it's duty ammunition.

While I'd prefer to be issued a more modern and updated round, it's a hard sell to our administration when we aren't having issues with the current round. Our last OIS was about 3 weeks ago. Suspect with a 7" knife attacked an officer. His cover officer fired two rounds into the upper chest of the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

When dealing with an armed individual, I've never once worry about the ammunition that was loaded in my pistol.

I tend to focus more my tactics and the front sight.

[KCabbage]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Multiple bones like through an arm bone and rib bone or through chest bone into/through the spine.