Now that this has been on the shelves. What do you all think?
96 grain bullet that looks deadly and costs over $2.00 per round. Also note they have already had some recalls.
What's the verdict on these things? All hype?
We know that penetration in FBI Ballistic Gelatin is important. It's a widely accepted "standard" used in ammo testing.
I've seen the videos of what this round will do in that gel. That gel is meant to simulate human tissue. Studies say that a round must penetrate at least 12" into the body to reach and damage stuff that's important. The body is about that thick for some folks, maybe a good bit more for others, but it's also more than just tissue. With some FBI Ballistic Gelatin tests, penetration of more than 12" (as much as 16" or 18") is sought.
[Note: I restated the following paragraph, as I wasn't as clear, the first time through, in how I expressed my concerns.]
I'd like to see some videos of what those small pieces do when the bullet must first go through several layers of fabric (denim, leather, workout clothes, etc.) and, possibly, how they do when shot through something simulating harder materials,
like the human rib cage. The larger piece probably penetrates about as well as a hot .32 A.C.P. round, if separation occurs as intended. The bullet if the unit doesn't separate, would probably act just like hardball! The small shrapnel-like pieces, if they DO separate, might cause bleeding, but they have to do their "spread" and split away from the bullet body AFTER they pass through the rib cage. In examples of rounds passing through wallboard/gypsum first they didn't really separate -- other materials might also "gum up" the bullet, in which case, it's just another "hardball"-like round without expansion. Hitting bone MIGHT have the same effect.
Stopping the other person QUICKLY is the key, because if he or she keeps coming, s/he can do YOU damage. A quick stop doesn't seem likely to happen with this round unless you're able to make a head shot.
To say I'm skeptical is a big understatement. Maybe there are more-convincing videos available to resolve the likelihood of the round being effective in getting THROUGH the rib cage and still functioning as designed.