Ammunition Structural Penetration Test

1

Testing Objective

The primary objective of this test was to compare the relative penetration of the rounds tested in common residential building materials. Keeping in mind that construction materials and methods vary, this test was also designed to give an example of what penetration might be expected on structures of like construction.

Testing Standard

This test was conducted using common building materials for residential construction. The exterior walls were constructed of one side with 3/8 inch masonite siding over inch plywood, separated by 3 inches of R13 fiberglass insulation, and the other side with inch sheet rock. The interior walls were two layers of inch sheet rock, separated by 3 inches.

The walls were spaced to simulate the rounds striking a residential structure.Five walls were used. Each wall was spaced 15 feet from the next. Wall 1 was exterior, and placed 15 feet from the shooter, with the masonite siding facing the shooter. Walls 2 and 3 were interior walls. Wall 4 was exterior, and placed with the sheet rock facing the shooter. Wall 5 was exterior, and placed with the masonite siding facing the shooter. This layout was designed to simulate the rounds striking one house, and then if they exited that house at wall 4, wall 5 simulated the start of a second house. The graph on the next page represents the layout.

2

Firearms used for testing

Sig Sauer, P229 .40 cal. Pistol

Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine, 16 1/9 twist barrel

Remington 870 shotgun, 18 cylinder bore barrel

3

Ammunition Tested(NOTE: The information on velocity and ballistic gelatin penetration listed below was taken from manufactures and independent testing.)

Ammunition Velocity Gelatin pen.

Remington Slugger, 2 inch, 1434 f/s 26.4 12 gauge, 1 oz., Rifled slug

Speer GoldDot, 1150 f/s 13.5.40 S&W, 165 Gr., GDHP

Hornady TAP CQ, 950 f/s 13.40 S&W, 180 Gr.

Remington Golden Saber, 960 f/s 12.23.40 S&W, 180 Gr., Brass Jacketed Hollow Pt.

Hornady TAP Precision, 2616 f/s 13.63.223 Rem, 75 Gr., BTHP

Hornady TAP Urban, 2818 f/s 10.223 Rem, 60 Gr.

Black Hills, 2710 f/s 11.9.223 Rem, 60 Gr., Soft Point

Federal Sierra GameKing, 2949 f/s 9.6.223 Rem, 55 Gr., BTHP

Winchester, 1100 f/s 2012 gauge, 2 inch, 9 pellet, 00 Buck

Hornady TAP Urban, 3335 f/s 8.223 Rem, 55 Gr.

4

Test Results(Listed in order from most penetrating, to least penetrating)

Remington Slugger, 2 inch, 12 gauge, 1 oz., Rifled slug Furthest point: Wall 5+Penetrated all five walls with minor deflection. Exited wall 5

Speer GoldDot, .40 S&W, 165 Gr., GDHPFurthest point: Wall 5Impacted the sheet rock on wall 5 but did not exit. There was no deformation of the bullet.

Hornady TAP CQ, .40 S&W, 180 Gr. Furthest point: Wall 5Exited the plywood on wall 5, and was captured in the insulation. There was no deformation of the bullet.

Remington Golden Saber, .40 S&W, 180 Gr., Brass Jacketed Hollow Pt.Furthest point: Wall 5Impacted the siding on wall 5, dented it about 1/8 inch, and bounced off. There was no deformation of the bullet.

Hornady TAP Precision, .223 Rem, 75 Gr., BTHPFurthest point: Wall 5Began fragmenting upon exiting wall 1, one small fragment exited wall 4 and stuck about 1/8 inch in the siding of wall 5.

Hornady TAP Urban, .223 Rem, 60 Gr.Furthest point: Wall 5Began fragmenting upon exiting wall 1. Two rounds did not exit wall 4. One exited wall 4, and struck wall 5, leaving a small dent in the siding of wall 5.

Black Hills, .223 Rem, 60 Gr., Soft PointFurthest point: Wall 5Began fragmenting upon exiting wall 1, exited wall 4, struck wall 5 flaking a small piece of siding, but no dent.

5

Federal Sierra GameKing, .223 Rem, 55 Gr., BTHPFurthest point: Wall 4+Began fragmenting upon exiting wall1, exited wall 4.

Winchester, 12 gauge, 2 inch, 9 pellet, 00 BuckFurthest point: Wall 49 pellets exited wall 2, 7 pellets entered wall 3 and 6 exited, 4 pellets entered wall 4 and none exited.

Hornady TAP Urban, .223 Rem, 55 Gr.Furthest point: Wall 4Began fragmenting upon exiting wall 1, entered wall 4, did not penetrate the plywood on wall 4.

6

Summary

Ballistic gelatin is designed to simulate muscle tissue. Most handgun rounds penetrate around 14 inches in ballistic gelatin. This is not by chance. The FBI ballistics laboratory has concluded that handgun rounds should penetrate at least 12 inches to be effective. The rationale is that no matter the size or position of the suspect, the round must be able to penetrate deep enough to strike vital areas in the body. This level of penetration is also necessary for rifle rounds. Gelatin penetration of various rounds has been well documented by a number of independent sources.

Structural penetration is not as well documented. This structural penetration test and others, show that when the .223 round strikes a solid object, it is inclined to fragment. Generally only a small portion of the round reached the furthest point documented in our test results. This small main portion of the round will be less dangerous downrange, than a larger, fully in tact, pistol, buckshot, or slug round.

By showing the relative penetration of these rounds in building materials, we have more information to help in the selection of weapons and duty ammunition for patrol, as well as the Special Operations Team. Perception has long been that the .223 caliber rifle would penetrate too much to be suitable for general police applications. This is clearly not the case.

7

8

Ammunition Structural Penetration TestTesting Objective Testing StandardFirearms used for testingAmmunition Velocity Gelatin pen. Remington Slugger, 2 inch,1434 f/s26.4 12 gauge, 1 oz., Rifled slug

Hornady TAP CQ,950 f/s13Federal Sierra GameKing, 2949 f/s9.6.223 Rem, 55 Gr., BTHPHornady TAP Urban,3335 f/s8.223 Rem, 55 Gr.Test Results(Listed in order from most penetrating, to least penetrating)Remington Slugger, 2 inch, 12 gauge, 1 oz., Rifled slug Furthest point: Wall 5+

Furthest point: Wall 5Furthest point: Wall 5Furthest point: Wall 5Federal Sierra GameKing, .223 Rem, 55 Gr., BTHPHornady TAP Urban, .223 Rem, 55 Gr.Summary