Best Barrier Blind 7.62x39 defensive load

[Caskalefan]

Is the Hornaday 8078 SST ammunition still regarded as the best performing load in 7.62x39? If not, what are better options? Is it barrier blind? The price of the 8078 isn't outrageous.

[DocGKR]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19885

[RWK]

Doc,

Are you aware of any test results using the Hornady SST? Given that the V-MAX and SST projectiles are constructed differently, I'm curious as to how they compare or contrast.

[Caskalefan]

I've read doc's link, but it doesn't really mention the set 7.62x39 load. Has anyone tested it?

[BufordTJustice]

I've read doc's link, but it doesn't really mention the set 7.62x39 load. Has anyone tested it?

Read more closely. This is from Doc's link:

"When one moves to a expanding/fragmenting design in 7.62 x 39 mm, terminal performance is significantly enhanced. The best 7.62 x 39 mm loads we have tested to date are the Hornady 123 gr VMAX, Winchester 123 gr JSP (X76239) and the Lapua 125 gr JSP. Out of a 16” barrel they perform somewhat like lightweight .30-30 loads:

Horn 123 gr VMAX
Bare Gelatin: vel=2242 f/s, pen=15.6", RD=.58", RL=.32", RW=99.6 gr
Unable to recover any auto windshield shots, as all projectiles exited at an angle out of the gel block after 12-13'' pen.

Lap 125 gr JSP
Bare Gelatin: vel=2316 f/s, pen=17.3”, RD=.62”, RL=.43”, RW=122.6 gr
Car Windshield: vel=2323 f/s, pen=14.8”, RD=.60”, RL=.40”, RW=110.6 gr

Win 123 gr JSP
Bare Gel: vel=2253 f/s, pen=14.4”, rd=0.56”, rw=90.1gr
Pretty much the same results when going through car windshields."

Doc HAS tested it.

[Caskalefan]

Read more closely. This is from Doc's link:

"When one moves to a expanding/fragmenting design in 7.62 x 39 mm, terminal performance is significantly enhanced. The best 7.62 x 39 mm loads we have tested to date are the Hornady 123 gr VMAX, Winchester 123 gr JSP (X76239) and the Lapua 125 gr JSP. Out of a 16” barrel they perform somewhat like lightweight .30-30 loads:

Horn 123 gr VMAX
Bare Gelatin: vel=2242 f/s, pen=15.6", RD=.58", RL=.32", RW=99.6 gr
Unable to recover any auto windshield shots, as all projectiles exited at an angle out of the gel block after 12-13'' pen.

Lap 125 gr JSP
Bare Gelatin: vel=2316 f/s, pen=17.3”, RD=.62”, RL=.43”, RW=122.6 gr
Car Windshield: vel=2323 f/s, pen=14.8”, RD=.60”, RL=.40”, RW=110.6 gr

Win 123 gr JSP
Bare Gel: vel=2253 f/s, pen=14.4”, rd=0.56”, rw=90.1gr
Pretty much the same results when going through car windshields."

Doc HAS tested it.

Are the vmax and sst the same thing? The hornady website seemed to indicate they were different.

If the vmax bullet couldn't be recovered after hitting the windshield it seems it would be a less than stellar performer, no?

[BufordTJustice]

Are the vmax and sst the same thing? The hornady website seemed to indicate they were different.

If the vmax bullet couldn't be recovered after hitting the windshield it seems it would be a less than stellar performer, no?

The VMAX and SST are constructed differently. The SST has a jacket that gets progressively thicker toward the base of the bullet and it has an interlock ring (similar to the Remington Core-lokt construction). The VMAX has a consistently-thin jacket and no interlock ring.

The VMAX round penetrated the gelatin AFTER punching through the windshield...it just shot off at a weird angle and disappeared.

Lack of recovery is not nearly as big of a deal as being able to recover the slug but having inadequate penetration.

I'd imagine that the SST would probably perform marginally better than the VMAX when barriers are introduced, though the VMAX has already shown to have some impressive terminal performance even through barriers.

[Caskalefan]

So would the sst be reccomended then? Its about half the cost of the Winchester super-x jsp which plays a huge factor.

[Jack-O]

There are a LOT of questions on 7.62x39 terminal ballistics in general. the ones that have been tested are older projectiles and generally US made commercial offerings.

what hasn't been tested are a lot of the newer projectiles and russian commercial offerings, and that leaves us with some questions and assumptions based on similar projectiles in .308 caliber.

I would look really hard at the corbon offerings in 762x39. I beleive they offer the best potential for the x39 with their 150gr SP and the Barnes TSX bullet.

Personally I would expect to see some pretty good things out of the Hornady SST bullet. not spectacular but respectable.

there are also some Barnaul russian commercial SP and HP loads that deserve a close look if we can ever get some gel testing done.

[Fail-Safe]

Just to help you guys out, the Hornady loaded 7.62x39 was accidently labeled V-Max. It is actually the SST that is loaded by Hornady. This comes straight from Jason Hornady as answer to a question I had for an article.

Dr Roberts has tested it, I sent him the ammo.