New Ballistics testing for .45 Shield!

[gqllc007]

.45 Shield
January 20,2017
Weather 35*, Pressure 30inHg, Humidity 83%
FBI clearballistics 16x6x6 block with T bone 6x6x20" resulting in 22" in length
Block stored in 68* and utilized in 2 minutes of being outside
Block had one layer of each of medium weight nylon filled with polyester winter coat, followed by 200gr polartec fleece and 5.3oz Tshirt
This is typical winter attire here in NY. I used no denim as no one seems to be wearing denim around their chest
Results
Underwood 230+P XTP 20.5" penetration, .593" expansion
Underwood 185+P XTP 22" penetration, .55" expansion
Underwood 230+P bonded JHP 14" penetration, .677 expansion
Underwood 185+P bonded JHP 13.5" penetration, .690 expansion
Underwood Xtreme defense 120gr 17" penetration not designed to expand.
This Xtreme defense bullet went to 17" penetration in bare, 4 layers of denim and this test. Very consistent
Winchester Ranger 230+P over 22" and no expansion
Federal HST 230+P was the BIG surprise for me yet again. In bare gel it only went to 11 3/4" penetration and .880 expansion
In 4 layers of denim it passed through 20" of gel 3 out of 4 times. The 4th time in 4 layers it penetrated to 11 1/2" and .820 expansion.
Today the HST 230+p gr was STELLAR. Penetrated to 16" 3 out of 3 times and expanded to .859 on the widest one and .771 on the lowest expanded bullet.
So I did a 2 layer Hanes white cotton t-shirt test and the Federal 230gr HST+P penetrated to 13" and expanded to .875 on one round and penetrated to 13" and .818" on the other round
The standard pressure HST 230 did not do well at all.
Through winter layers it penetrated 11-12" but expansion was incredible .912!!!
Through the two layer cotton t-shirt was 10 1/2'-11" penetration with .922 expansion!!!
Corbon DPX 185+P is by far the most consistent JHP so far out of the Shield. Penetrated to 14 1/2 to 15 1/2" regardless of bare, 4 layers of denim and this winter wear test. Expansion was between .750 and .780.
Looks like I will use Federal HST 230+P in the fall and winter time and undecided for the spring and summer. Either the Underwood Xtreme defense or the Corbon DPX 185+P

 

[iPac]

I have only experienced HST in 9mm, but that was enough for me to know that HST in ANY caliber is probably the best round you can get. I have experienced nothing but flawless expansion no matter what with them.

 

[gqllc007]

9mm HST 124 standard pressure was flawless. 18 1/2" penetration and excellent expansion .602"

HST 230+P on top, Middle is DPX and bottom is HST 230 standard pressure

 

[brentb636]

The HST appears to be the FIRST round to be considered for self defense, but on occasion ( and depending upon whether you prefer expansion or penetration, I'm a penetration guy ) you might check out the Winchester Ranger t series results. Usually the Winchester beats out the HST in penetration. A lot depends upon YOUR opinion of which is more important. Personally, except in 3" barrels, Gold dot, HST , or Winchester Ranger talons , will pretty much do the job !

 

[Rastoff]

Thanks for the testing. That was really excellent data.

I used no denim as no one seems to be wearing denim around their chest

Um, no one? What about these?

OK, not "denim" per se, but very close and maybe more resilient. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Still, you've done better testing than most and I do appreciate the effort.

 

[gqllc007]

Nice^^
Glock 23 .40 cal
Weather 42*, Humidity 92%, Pressure 29.8inHg
FBI clear ballistics gel 16x6x6 block with Thug wear LOL,
Medium weight nylon shell polyester fill vest, medium weight 100% cotton hoodie and then 100% cotton t-shirt in front of the gel
Federal HST 165gr penetrated 16", expanded .668"
Federal HST 180gr penetrated 14", expanded .761
Federal HST 155gr penetrated 14 1/2", expanded .655"
Winchester PDX1 165gr penetrated 15", expanded .694
Speer 155gr gold dot penetrated 15", expanded .622

Sig .357 test as well out of Glock 33
Underwood 125gr speer gold dot penetrated 19 1/2", expanded .584
Corbon DPX 125gr penetrated 17", expanded to .680

All the .40 ammo did very well. I have been carrying the Federal HST 165gr for years. In .357 the Underwood overpenetrated 1 1/2". The Corbon DPX continues to be very consistent in regards to expansion.

 

[TazTJ]

Looks like the short 3.3" barrel on the Shield 45 needs the bump up to +p HST thru thicker layers to get better penetration. Maybe I will carry my Commander 1911's in the bulky jacket weather for more velocity.

 

[gqllc007]

Looks like the short 3.3" barrel on the Shield 45 needs the bump up to +p HST thru thicker layers to get better penetration. Maybe I will carry my Commander 1911's in the bulky jacket weather for more velocity.

I have on order a S&W MPc with 4" barrel and I will retest each round. 5" is ideal for .45.

 

[TazTJ]

Yeah, 5" is nice, but my DW Guardian and VBOB carry/conceal very well The 5" is a bit long and when holstered, tends to hit the seat when I sit down.

Have you tested the HST in an actual 3.5" barrel? Like an Officers 1911?

 

[gqllc007]

Yeah, 5" is nice, but my DW Guardian and VBOB carry/conceal very well The 5" is a bit long and when holstered, tends to hit the seat when I sit down.

Have you tested the HST in an actual 3.5" barrel? Like an Officers 1911?

I have not. I would suspect you need the +P. Don't rule out the Corbon DPX 185+P. It has been stellar in every caliber. Which is typical of HST. The HST 124 standard pressure out of the PC Shield or the Glock 43 has been perfect. The 165, 155 and 180 HST out of G23 has also been great. The real issue has been with short barrel .45's. The 230+P HST did stellar WITH heavy clothing. The Corbon 115+P DPX penetrated to 17" in 9mm, .40 140 DPX went to 17", .357 Sig DPX went to 17" and 185+P DPX went to 14 1/2 -15 1/2" in the Shield. They ALL expanded perfectly through bare, 4 layers of denim and my winter/thug wear. I am hoping to get at least 1" of penetration more with the 4" barrel. If I do I will carry the MP 45c in winter and most likely a 9mm or .45 Shield in summer

 

[TazTJ]

Ok, I think I have some 185gr Speer Gold Dot here, too, supposed to be for short barrels, but not +p. Trying to find a carry round w/o the +p for the 45 Shield, but I do have some HST 230 +P and some older Win Ranger T +P 230gr stuff before they redid the bullet to not have it as sharp.

I was amused at the length of the 45 Shield barrel; it looks like it's half chamber, half barrel! LOL. My Charter Arms 2.5" revolver probably got better velocity because it had an actual 2.5" long barrel, plus the cylinder!

It's nice to see testing with real world clothing/weather conditions, too. I've been watching the Lucky Gunner testing as they use a more practical clothing layout, but their 45 barrel is a bit longer and it doesn't include heavy winter jacket material, which is what I find a lot of in CT!

 

[gqllc007]

Ok, I think I have some 185gr Speer Gold Dot here, too, supposed to be for short barrels, but not +p. Trying to find a carry round w/o the +p for the 45 Shield, but I do have some HST 230 +P and some older Win Ranger T +P 230gr stuff before they redid the bullet to not have it as sharp.

I was amused at the length of the 45 Shield barrel; it looks like it's half chamber, half barrel! LOL. My Charter Arms 2.5" revolver probably got better velocity because it had an actual 2.5" long barrel, plus the cylinder!

It's nice to see testing with real world clothing/weather conditions, too. I've been watching the Lucky Gunner testing as they use a more practical clothing layout, but their 45 barrel is a bit longer and it doesn't include heavy winter jacket material, which is what I find a lot of in CT!

The 230 HST +P is what you want. The Rangers did not do well once clothing was involved. 3 out of 5 failed to expand and way over penetrated. The Corbon DPX 185+P and the other one that did remarkably well was the Underwood Xtreme Defense 120gr standard pressure. It penetrated to 17" in bare, 4 layers of denim and winter clothes. It just doesnt expand. So I chose HST 230+p at 16" penetration and expanded to .859 over Xtreme defense that went 17" and no expansion