Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9 inches, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Winchester 147gr JHP (USA9JHP2)
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
The recent testing of the Winchester White Box 115gr JHP seemed to be very popular so when the opportunity came up to try the 147gr version I took it. Even though this ammo is considered a "bargain brand" it's hard to consider it a bargain when it was $22 for this box locally. Right now we live in a time of falling ammo prices and online HST's and Gold Dots can be found for less, so I have to wonder why one would pay more for this and "similar" brands. Maybe for some reason, someone is limited to what they can get at their local Wal-Mart.
The first shot into bare gel had a velocity of 908fps and penetrated to 17.75 inches with an expansion of .53 inches. Round two penetrated to 17 inches with an expansion of .54 inches and a velocity of 915fps.
In heavy clothing, the first round hit at 911fps penetrated to 15 inches with an "expansion" of .51 inches. As you can see it didn't expand so much as deformed a little. The bullet took a sharp downward turn at about the 12-inch mark in the block. I believe this is why the penetration was less than the others. Round two had a velocity of 948fps, penetrated to 17.75 inches and expanded to .48 inches.
Out of the short barreled Nano, round one in bare gel ran at 918fps for a penetration of 19 inches and expanded to .53 inches. Round two traveled 20 inches, also expanded to .53 inches with a velocity of 901fps.
I found it interesting that the bullets fired for the Nano had similar velocity and recovered diameter to the rounds fired from the P229 but penetrated slightly further.