This week's gelatin tests: 10mm and .357 mag

[Andrew Wiggin]

.357 mag Remington 125 gr Golden Saber video

.357 mag Remington 125 gr Golden Saber fired from 4" GP-100 through 4 layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB calibration: 600.8", 3.5"

Impact velocity: 1,333 fps
Penetration: 18.2"
Retained weight: 125.5 gr
Max expansion: 0.568"
Min expansion: 0.496"

10mm CORBON 135 gr Pow'RBall video

10mm CORBON 135 gr Pow'RBall fired from 4.5" bbl EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB calibration: 600.8", 3.5"

Impact velocity: (Err), 1,425 fps
Penetration: 8.6", 8.6"
Retained weight: 129.3 gr, 122.9 gr
Max expansion: 0.848", 0.882"
Min expansion: 0.794", 0.702"

10mm Double Tap 200 gr Nosler video


10mm Double Tap 200 gr Nosler fired from 4.5" bbl EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB calibration: 582.9", 3.25"

Velocity: 1,076, (Err)
Penetration: 14.8", 15.5"
Retained weight: 193.8 gr, 192.7 gr
Max expansion: 0.704", 0.679"
Min expansion: 0.662", 0.572"

 

[KyJim]

That Double Tap 10mm 200 gr. load had a lower velocity than I would have expected. Still, pretty good penetration and expansion.

The Corbon Pow'rBalls? Well, that reinforces what I already knew. Demand for this type of load is driven by marketing and not results.

Golden Sabers almost always turn in decent numbers.

Thanks for the info!

 

[pelo801]

I think the velocity of the 200 gr was a little low as well. The penetration was still good though. I have to say with the velocity of the powerball, I'm surprised at the lack of penetration. But I think in 10mm, a 135 gr is too light for caliber. So maybe that's the problem or maybe it's bullet design. And the golden sabers' numbers looked promising. I'm curious how they'd look from a 2 inch.

 

[Andrew Wiggin]

Nailed it, KyJim. Sectional density is the issue here. A 135 gr bullet can work well in .35 caliber, but even though an extra five thousandths doesn't sound like a lot, it does result in more surface area and it won't penetrate as deeply. In my experience, 165 gr or heavier is required for sufficient penetration with 10mm expanding ammunition. The 135 gr 10mm (especially DT's Nosler load) has gotten fairly popular due entirely to gun shop and internet speculation. That load carries an impressive amount of energy so it's just GOT to perform well, right? Not so much.