Ammo used in Testing
Tom from Northfield Township completed the testing about two months ago and I have finally completed the photography that will convey the results of his testing.
19 of the most popular 38 Special and 357 Magnum Self Defense rounds available today were tested using the same protocol that was used with the .380 ACP, 40 S&W, 9mm 22LR. and 22 Magnum test that went before them.
What became very clear is that performance of any given brand and projectile design is not the only or even them major factor in a successful positive terminal performance result.
Many of the projectiles are the same design that were found in their other caliber cousins, yet the performance was radically different.
38 Special Testing Data and Images
Test Data
Projectile Sample Plaque
110 gr. 588 Feet per Second @ 3 yards
Tissue Test Expansion= None, Penetration=8.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = None, Penetration = None, (bullet stuck in Bone)
130 gr. 768 Feet per Second @ 3 yards
Tissue test Expansion = .690 inches, Penetration = 9.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = .404 inches, Penetration = 11.0 inches
120 gr. 858 Feet per Second @3 yards (Advertised as 1000 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test Expansion = .524 inches, Penetration = 10 inches
Bone test Expansion = None, Penetration = 10.0 inches
110 gr. 902 Feet per Second @ 3 yards (Advertised as 1099 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .562 inches, Penetration = 9.5 inches
Bone test Exspansion = .423 inches, Penetration = 10.5 inches
158 gr., 733 Feet per Second @3 yards (advertised at 968 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = None, Penetration = 13 inches
Bone test Expansion = None. Penetration = 12.5 inches
125 gr. 838 Feet per Second @ 3 yards,
Tissue test Expansion = .588 inches, Penetration = 12.0 inches
Bone test Expansion = .388 inches, Penetration = 12.5 inches
110 GR. 824 Feet per Second at 3 yards
Tisse test Expansion = None, Penetration = 12.5 inches
Bone Test Expansion = .454 inches, Penetration = 11.0 inches
125 gr. , 848 Feet per Second @ 3 yards (Advertised as 965 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test Expansion = .435 inches, Penetration = 12.75 inches
Bone Test Expansion = None, Penetration = 14.0 inches
130 gr. 843 Feet per Second, (Advertised at 950 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test Expansion = .672 inches, Penetration = 11.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = None, Penetration = 13.75 inches
357 Magnum Test Data and Images
Test Projectile Plaque
125 gr. 1279 Feet per second @ 3 yards, (advertised at 1200 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .705 inches, Penetration = 13.0 inches
Bone test Expansion = .525 inches, Penetration = 20+ inches
125 gr. 1384 Feet per Second @ 3 yards, (Advertised at 1700 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .660 inches, Penetration = 15.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = .595 inches, Penetration = 20+ inches
125 gr., 1204 Feet per Second @ 3 yards, (Advertised at 1400 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .50 inches, Penetration = 12.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = None, Penetration = 20+ inches
125 gr. 1209 Feet per Second at 3 yards, (Advertised at 1500 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test Expansion = .615 inches, Penetration = 14.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = .476 inches, Penetration = 15.0 inches
135 gr. 1120 Feet per Second @ 3 yards, (Advertised at 1275F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .585 inches, Penetration = 13.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = .497 inches, Penetration = 14.0 inches
125 gr. 1223 Feet per Second @ 3 yards, (Advertised at 1450 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .640 inches, Penetration = 10.5 inches
Bone test Expansion = .594 inches, Penetration = 12.0 inches
135 gr., 1060 Feet per second @ 3 Yards
Tissue Test Expansion = .599 inches, Penetration = 14.5 inches
Bone tissue Expansion = .556 inches, Penetration = 15.5 inches
158 gr. 1259 Feet per Second @ 3 Yards, (advertised as 1500 F.P.S.)
Tissue test Expansion = .604 inches, Penetration = 15.0 inches
Bone test Expansion = .511 inches, Penetration = 17.5 inches
125 gr. 1101 Feet per second @ 3 yard, (advertised at 1325 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test Expansion = .717 inches, Penetration = 11.5 inches
Bone Test Expansion = None, Penetration = 16.0 inches
145 gr. 1119 Feet per Second @ 3 Yards, (advertised at 1290 F.P.S.)
Tissue Test expansion = .731 inches, Penetration = 11 inches
Bone test Expansion = .484 inches, Penetration = 15.5 inches