FBI caliber tests

[vetter3006]

I was google happy and found this article about the FBI testing calibers years back and thought it was very intresting and wanted to post it, hope this was not posted before,if so sorry for a repeat.
http://www.textfiles.com/politics/GUNS/10mmpist.txt

[biggs88]

I was google happy and found this article about the FBI testing calibers years back and thought it was very intresting and wanted to post it, hope this was not posted before,if so sorry for a repeat.
http://www.textfiles.com/politics/GUNS/10mmpist.txt

Thats an early test.

The FBI Standard issue now is the Glock 23 in .40s&w.

[LittleRedToyota]

yeah, you have to pay attention to the dates of ballistic test. bullet designs have come a long way in the last 20 years so older tests often really do not reflect today's reality.

[d90king]

yeah, you have to pay attention to the dates of ballistic test. bullet designs have come a long way in the last 20 years so older tests often really do not reflect today's reality.

What he ^^^^^ said! Ammo has come a very long way in the last 20 years!

[vetter3006]

it was just intresting how the 9mm did poor in the test and how well the 40,45 did. I like both rounds for self defense and just liked the read even know it was old.

[Charlie De]

It is my understanding that the FBI switched from 10mm to 40 S&W because the female agents had a hard time with the 10mm recoil, reduced as it may have been. I think that this was the cheapest resolution of the problem.

[S&WM&P40]

From reading that article it seems the 40 cal and 10 mm are the same bullet?!

[LittleRedToyota]

From reading that article it seems the 40 cal and 10 mm are the same bullet?!

yep...same diameter at least (there are, of course, many different bullets available in all calibers). the 10mm when loaded to its potential, though, propels that bullet much faster.

[DougX]

Bullet design has changed but the power of the loads has not.Better bullets and more power makes an even better load.The 10mm is even better then it was years ago,kind of scary if your on the other end.

[synergy]

It is my understanding that the FBI switched from 10mm to 40 S&W because the female agents had a hard time with the 10mm recoil, reduced as it may have been. I think that this was the cheapest resolution of the problem.

It also tore their guns apart. The original 10mm loads were stiff as shit!

Here is some more up to date info on pistol caliber terminal ballistics, written by a true expert in this field.
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

...

The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 140 & 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester 180 gr bonded JHP (Q4355)

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 160 & 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

Notes:
-- Obviously, clone loads using the same bullet at the same velocity work equally well (ie. Black Hills ammo using Gold Dot bullets, Corbon loads using Barnes XPB bullets, etc…)

-- Bullet designs like the Silver Tip, Hydra-Shok, and Black Talon were state of the art 15 or 20 years ago. These older bullets tend to plug up and act like FMJ projectiles when shot through heavy clothing; they also often have significant degradation in terminal performance after first passing through intermediate barriers. Modern ammunition which has been designed for robust expansion against clothing and intermediate barriers is significantly superior to the older designs. The bullets in the Federal Classic and Hydrashok line are outperformed by other ATK products such as the Federal Tactical and HST, as well as the Speer Gold Dot; likewise Winchester Ranger Talons are far superior to the old Black Talons or civilian SXT's.