uncle norman
Member
Yesterday I went to the range and did some water-filled milk jug testing. I shot at very short range (10 feet from muzzle) to keep from missing the lined up jugs. I fired one round of several types of ammo from the .38, .357, 9mm, .40 and 45. All popped the jugs and made things close by wet. But my 3rd round was a 135gr .357 Gold Dot Short Barrel out of a Ruger SP101. When it hit, the first jug exploded and shot water back on me and everything on both sides. It stopped in the 3rd jug and had beautifully peeled back petals. After I moved my range bag 20 feet to the side, got a fresh, dry piece of paper to mark on and dried my glasses I fired my 9mm with a +P 124gr Gold Dot (not a Short Barrel). It hit about like all the other rounds which didn't douse me and peeled back nicely and stopped in the 3rd jug. My question is this: How could the .357 135gr GDSB at about 980fps splatter so much more than the 9mm 124gr +P at about 1250fps? The only thought I have at this time is maybe the .357 expanded too quickly and gave up too much energy in the 1st jug. I don't like that if that is the case. It might mean I wouldn't get deep enough penetration to get through heavy clothing and ribs on a BG. Can anyone help me interpret this?