Testing expansion, 125 gr. in the 9mm Luger

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nitro-express

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With the 9mm carbines being a common go to, it seemed that a HP bullet would be a step up. All our ammo is FMJ, and it does a pretty mediocre job at anything other than penetration.

With most stores out of HP ammo, and not much choice for bullets in stock either. Therefore it was time to be a bit innovative. To that end my son chose some 125 gr HP bullets I had sitting around. They came in a baggy, from a gunshow. Probably Winchester or something cheap. A bit bigger than 355, but I was still able to cobble up some ammo.

Well the concept got proved, now it's time to pick a bullet and load a pail of ammo.

xeVtY1x.jpg


mVdoGQi.jpg


So, for you 9mm carbine shooters, if you are using a HP, what bullet do you prefer?
 
You could just sand down the tip of a FMJ so you expose lead and do some tests. Don't remove too much materiel tho, if you remove 10 grains use a load for 115gr
 
I shoot 124 gr Campro FCPHP's for my bulk/practice ammo. By the looks of them I doubt they would expand that well. I also load 124 gr Hornady XTPs for CCW lol.

May try 124 gr Berry's Hybrid HP's in the future.

What was the test media utilized for the expansion tests?
How many yards from the test media?
Barrel length? Most likely 18.5" I'm guessing.
Were you able to get an idea on penetration depth as well?

Let me know your test parameters. I will try and replicate the test with the projectiles I load out of a 18.5" Keltec Sub 2000.
 
nitro-express said:
With the 9mm carbines being a common go to, it seemed that a HP bullet would be a step up. All our ammo is FMJ, and it does a pretty mediocre job at anything other than penetration.

With most stores out of HP ammo, and not much choice for bullets in stock either. Therefore it was time to be a bit innovative. To that end my son chose some 125 gr HP bullets I had sitting around. They came in a baggy, from a gunshow. Probably Winchester or something cheap. A bit bigger than 355, but I was still able to cobble up some ammo.

Well the concept got proved, now it's time to pick a bullet and load a pail of ammo.

xeVtY1x.jpg


mVdoGQi.jpg


So, for you 9mm carbine shooters, if you are using a HP, what bullet do you prefer?
Click to expand...


If I'm not mistaken those are Remington bullets . old ones .
 
franktank said:
You could just sand down the tip of a FMJ so you expose lead and do some tests. Don't remove too much materiel tho, if you remove 10 grains use a load for 115gr
Click to expand...

I have never tried that - seems that would end up with a tube of jacket material with lead in the middle - would not take much for lead to leave the jacket behind? Maybe even within the barrel?
 
franktank said:
You could just sand down the tip of a FMJ so you expose lead and do some tests. Don't remove too much materiel tho, if you remove 10 grains use a load for 115gr
Click to expand...

There is a lot more to an expanding bullet than lead.

The lead used in the core varies in antimony content (hardness). A FMJ bullet may be made with hard lead. (I don't have any reference material on this anymore). I do recall that there was a manufacturing issue with the lead with hard or soft being preferred for easy of manufacture.

The jacket of an expanding bullet is thin and made with the velocity of the bullet in mind, so that it will peel back. FMJ 9mm bullets I have seen have thick jackets that will not expand.

If you remove a lot of nose section there is a danger of the core blowing out leaving the jacket as a barrel obstruction.
 
nitro-express said:
With the 9mm carbines being a common go to, it seemed that a HP bullet would be a step up. All our ammo is FMJ, and it does a pretty mediocre job at anything other than penetration.

With most stores out of HP ammo, and not much choice for bullets in stock either. Therefore it was time to be a bit innovative. To that end my son chose some 125 gr HP bullets I had sitting around. They came in a baggy, from a gunshow. Probably Winchester or something cheap. A bit bigger than 355, but I was still able to cobble up some ammo.

Well the concept got proved, now it's time to pick a bullet and load a pail of ammo.

xeVtY1x.jpg


mVdoGQi.jpg


So, for you 9mm carbine shooters, if you are using a HP, what bullet do you prefer?
Click to expand...

Are you planning to hunt the big five ?

May be I can help ?
 
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