Gel testing 300 AAC BLACKOUT

[rsilvers]

Just a survey of existing bullets that people may normally wonder about. It is clear that some new bullets should be developed to be optimal for this velocity range.

http://www.silencertalk.com/300AAC/3...006OCT2010.pdf

[alorton]

I can't get the link to work. Just loads a blank page.

As for new bullets, that is the single biggest hope I have for what the 300 BLK can do for me. If it generates enough interest to spur development of bullets for this velocity window I'll be happy as a clam.

ETA: Nevermind on the link, I tried it once I got to work where I have a better connection and it worked fine.

[sharky47]

It worked better for me when I right click - save as.

Thanks for posting the info!

[rsilvers]

Here is a screen grab of the poll pre-gelatin testing. It will be interesting to see if it changes with the gel testing out.

[buffetdestroyer]

Thanks for the test rsilvers.

I think the Hornady 110 actually surprised me with the results. I may have to look into those for hunting.
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TOYOTA COROLLA E90 SPECIFICATIONS

[alorton]

Some of my beliefs about low velocity .308 bullets were confirmed and some dispelled. I have long thought the 110gr V-Max would make an excellent room entry CQB bullet at lower velocities and this testing seems to confirm that. At .308 speeds it underpenetrates but at the lower velocity it fragments less violently, giving adequate penetration, and did better against barriers than I expected. That is a good home defense or room entry weapon.

The 110gr TSX performed exactly as I expected with one exception, it penetrated less than I thought it would. Regardless, it penetrated plenty and performed well and consistently as they are known to do. This would be a good barrier round to compliment the 110gr V-Max.

The 125gr TNT disappointed me with the long neck length before expansion. The 125gr Nosler BT penetrated alot more than I expected and also had a longer neck length. The Remington 125gr Accupoint faired better than I expected with short neck length, good expansion, and acceptable penetration.

Thanks for posting the results. I look forward to the information this cartridge development will bring us all. I hope to see the subsonic testing soon. Also, you mentioned not using the 110gr Varminter due to the tip. I've used them quite a bit and they feed fine in my AR. I expect similar performance as the V-Max.

[320pf]

Actually, I think that all of the 125 grain bulllets, including the "varmint" type, performed well. The 130 grain bullet also did well. The "neck" of the wound profile would put the bullet right in the middle of the chest cavity of the target... right were you want all of the expansion to occur. The gel test pretty much confirm what I have observed in the world. At the velocities of the 300 Blackout (pick your favorite wildcat name here) the 308 varmint bullets behave like their heavier "Big Game" brothers.

The Barnes TSX bullets behaved as advertised.


320pf

Originally Posted by alorton

Some of my beliefs about low velocity .308 bullets were confirmed and some dispelled. I have long thought the 110gr V-Max would make an excellent room entry CQB bullet at lower velocities and this testing seems to confirm that. At .308 speeds it underpenetrates but at the lower velocity it fragments less violently, giving adequate penetration, and did better against barriers than I expected. That is a good home defense or room entry weapon.

The 110gr TSX performed exactly as I expected with one exception, it penetrated less than I thought it would. Regardless, it penetrated plenty and performed well and consistently as they are known to do. This would be a good barrier round to compliment the 110gr V-Max.

The 125gr TNT disappointed me with the long neck length before expansion. The 125gr Nosler BT penetrated alot more than I expected and also had a longer neck length. The Remington 125gr Accupoint faired better than I expected with short neck length, good expansion, and acceptable penetration.

Thanks for posting the results. I look forward to the information this cartridge development will bring us all. I hope to see the subsonic testing soon. Also, you mentioned not using the 110gr Varminter due to the tip. I've used them quite a bit and they feed fine in my AR. I expect similar performance as the V-Max.

[alorton]

The average human chest is something like 8-10" thick so the "center" would be 4-5" and the neck length on a few of those gel blocks was that long. I prefer to see neck lengths of under 2" on a tactical rifle, but perhaps we're thinking of terminal effects on different types of "critters".

Originally Posted by 320pf

Actually, I think that all of the 125 grain bulllets, including the "varmint" type, performed well. The 130 grain bullet also did well. The "neck" of the wound profile would put the bullet right in the middle of the chest cavity of the target... right were you want all of the expansion to occur. The gel test pretty much confirm what I have observed in the world. At the velocities of the 300 Blackout (pick your favorite wildcat name here) the 308 varmint bullets behave like their heavier "Big Game" brothers.

The Barnes TSX bullets behaved as advertised.


320pf

[320pf]

You are correct about the average straight on chest thickness. However, I would ask to to stand in front of a mirror and mock-up like you are shooting a rifle at your image. What would be the entry angle to the target? Most likely not straight on but more side-to-side and quartering. The average chest width is about 14-17 inches without considering the thickness of an arm. An arm would add about another 4-5 inches. Hence why I think that the penetration is about right.

Now for four legged critters the average chest thickness is 8-18 inches... Now think of a quartering shot which would add more apparent thickness.

Here is a summary of the gel data.
The Speer TNT
Figure 10&11 max cavitation depth 3.1"-13.6"
Figure 13&14 2029fps max cavitation depth 7.1" – 18.5"
Figure 16&17 2190fps max cavitation depth (7.1 – 18.5 typo??) ~3.1-~12.6 measured from the figure.

Nos125
Figure 19&20 2011fps max cavitation depth 2.7 – 14.8
Figure 22&23 2026fps max cavitation depth 4.3 – 18.1
Figure 22&23 2152fps max cavitation depth 0.8 – 18.1

320pf

[TCCrewchief76]

Why the omission of the 110 Sierra Varminter?