DRT Ammunition

[Dave85]

The point may be moot, but any plans on barrier tests?

[calinb]

> The point may be moot, but any plans on barrier tests?

Previously, it was reported that DRT acts like FMJ on lumber and water jugs. I might have a chance to try some barrier testing but, as you can see from the dates on my posts, I don't have much time to "play" these days.

> Any ammo that advertises that its wounding depth is 5" is way too shallow in the penetration department for my comfort.

You can judge from the photos but it looks like I got more like 8" and 10" from my two rounds. Depends on whether you measure the end of the visible "tendrils." It's still far less than the OTM round, but I think I remember a claim that a cat is supposed to stop a DRT bullet. (Maybe not a housecat but looks like a bobcat might stop it. )

But penetration isn't everything. Wound size matters too. Everyone can decide for themselves if my results mean anything.

From what I've read previously, the frangible ammo used for metal targets does not behave the same way DRT behaved in my tests, so sorry some forum readers are yawning here! Frangible ammo normally will NOT come apart in gelatin but DRT does come apart. The tip of the bullet can be "tuned" to come apart at whatever energy level the designer desires and it appears the energy level is lower for DRT for hunting and defensive applications. I know I'm simplifying here.

Somewhere on this site, http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/conten...eparation.html
they tested "normal" frangible ammo in gelatin and it did not come apart. I don't have time to find the exact page right now but I was inspired by their methods and results.

-Cal

[calinb]

Found it!

http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/conten...frangible.html

(Keep in mind it's a .308.)

a kill:

http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/conten...ble_308_a.html

and other tests:

http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/ballistics_rifle.html

-Cal

[Lashlarue]

I prefer the Glaser, 7.8" penetration with fist sized wound channel.http://www.brassfetcher.com/Brassfet...afety_Slug.pdf Note it will penetrate one layer of drywall, but the bullet maintains most of it's shape,and most of the pellets are retained in the bullet . Most sheetrock walls are double layers of sheetrock and exterior also have insulation in between, so I don't think I'll kill any of my neighbors if I should miss the badguy.

[NRAhab]

The "Conclusion" is the best part of that .pdf:


Having evaluated this particular line of Safety Slug against standardized barriers and ballistic media, a few conclusions may be made. First, the penetration of the tested round against a bare gelatin block is wholly inadequate when viewed in light of the FBI minimum penetration depth of 12î in calibrated ballistic gelatin.

[Lashlarue]

And the FBI found the 147 gr Hst totally inadequate with 23" and hardly any expansion.Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Dave85]

When it comes to frangibles, they mostly don't. These are one-trick ponies. In a frontal shot, if the fellow doesn't throw a forearm up as you pull the trigger, and you hit him in the center of mass, and he's not overly large, and you manage to weave it between the ribs, it'll probably work great. The Glaser is simply designed for best case scenario placement. When you start throwing obstacles in it's path, the performance falls apart (even if the bullet doesn't).

Note it will penetrate one layer of drywall, but the bullet maintains most of it's shape,and most of the pellets are retained in the bullet . Most sheetrock walls are double layers of sheetrock and exterior also have insulation in between...

According to them, it penetrated two layers:

The second case was a modification of the FBI test event #4, which calls for: "Test Four - Wallboard - Two pieces of behind the rear most piece of gypsum. This test event simulates a typical interior building wall." This standard was followed with respect to the incorporation of the two pieces of 0.5" gypsum board offset at a magnitude of 3.5", mounted on a sturdy frame.

…so I don't think I'll kill any of my neighbors if I should miss the badguy.

According to the test you reference, there seems little reduction in that possibility:

Perhaps the point of greatest interest is the failure of the bullet to reduce penetration when fired through interior walls, as might occur in the event of a complete miss during a defensive shooting event inside a structure - lethality of the round is actually increased by the presence of an intervening interior wall.

Granted, these are interior walls, but it looks like any safety advantage will be provided by it's lack of mass, not it's construction.

[Erik]

A rose is a rose, and a frangible round is a frangible round...

[NRAhab]

The only frangible round I've ever seen perform acceptably on the FBI's penetration protocols are the "HP" rounds from International Cartridge Corporation. If you click over to their site, you can view the entire 3:16 minute video. It's a little dry, but it's good stuff. The video is here.

The way the round was explained to me, is because it's a sintered projectile, the top 1/2 of the bullet fragments, and behaves like a Glaser, while the base of the projectile continues to penetrate the target, acting like a wadcutter.