10mm Automatic Ballistics Gel Results

[Moparman485]

Hello all! Below are all of my results for the 10mm Automatic. Please see the associated card to see the ammo type, velocity, firearm, and penetration information. Please feel free to also add any results you may have had, as this could possibly turn into a library of sorts with multiple contributors to help people pick which ammo to stock up on, and what ammo is all hype. In the case of non-factory ammunition that is tested, please bear in mind that you only use the listed load data at your own risk. Safe in my guns does not mean safe in yours. I am also open to testing any ammunition that you may have (factory or non) but if it is non-factory, I will need a breakdown of your load data/process before I pull the trigger on it. If you have an interest in that, PM me and we can discuss. If nothing else, please enjoy the results, they were certainly fun getting!

Gel data: 20% ballistic gel made from Knox unflavored gelatin (and for the money minded, great value unflavored gelatin powder also works fine), and a few drops of cinnamon oil to help keep mold down and prolong the life of the gel (plus cover the wet dog smell of the melting gel).

Also, I don’t pretend to think that this method is the best, most scientific, or even preferred method, but it felt a bit wasteful to just hold onto the data without sharing it with others. So here it is! Enjoy

 

[Moparman485]

180gr Underwood Bonded UHP (gold dot)

 

[Moparman485]

180gr Federal HST

 

[Moparman485]

175gr Hornady Critical Duty

 

[Moparman485]

200gr Winchester Black Talon

 

[Moparman485]

Gel damage Channels from all 10mm carbine loss at 25yds

 

[Glocktogo]

Well the Underwood performed exactly how I expected it to. I'm a bit surprised at how poorly the HST did, and how well the Critical Duty did. Obviously the Critical Duty or Black Talon would be good defensive rounds against human predators, but I think I'll stick with the 180gr Underwood/Gold Dot for hunting.

It would be really interesting to see what the Critical Duty bullet did if loaded hot like the Underwood.

 

[Moparman485]

The HST actually caused the most gel damage and is the one I hunt hogs with (and boy, does it put em down like a sledge hammer). I was surprised it did so poor in gel as well considering what I’ve seen it do to game. I think I was just pushing it “a bit too hard” in the carbine for the bullet to hold together. So it fragged.

But don’t get me wrong, my personal defense and carry ammo is still the gold dot. It’s wicked stuff.

 

[Glocktogo]

The HST actually caused the most gel damage and is the one I hunt hogs with (and boy, does it put em down like a sledge hammer). I was surprised it did so poor in gel as well considering what I’ve seen it do to game. I think I was just pushing it “a bit too hard” in the carbine for the bullet to hold together. So it fragged.

But don’t get me wrong, my personal defense and carry ammo is still the gold dot. It’s wicked stuff.

That's a good point. I'm just a bit skittish when a bullet loses such a large percentage of retained weight. You're probably correct on velocity. I think the HST is optimized for maximum expansion at a specific velocity, and the returns diminish rapidly past that. Thanks for the tests!

 

[Moparman485]

That's a good point. I'm just a bit skittish when a bullet loses such a large percentage of retained weight. You're probably correct on velocity. I think the HST is optimized for maximum expansion at a specific velocity, and the returns diminish rapidly past that. Thanks for the tests!

Oh I completely understand. Oddly enough, all of these tests have caused me to now shy away from Hollow point hunting ammo in rifles. Namely because all except 1 basically exploded on impact. Not that that wouldn’t definitely put down fame, but I just prefer them to not nuke apart and to instead penetrate deeper to give a better blood trail and less surface meat loss