Wacky Idea?

[zeke]

gwalchmai-It was a clear RTV silicone adhesive sealant. Basically what i had on hand. Not an original idea, but wanted to try it because had developed a liking for 3 in 45 acp semi's, and most loads had iffy expansion from the short tube. Was using packed moist sand as testing medium, all very un-scientific like. Even the Ranger 230 gn plus p had unreliable expansion in that medium.

Tried all the major 230 gn jhp's (handloads), favored the 230 xtp. Also tried it in the Federal 158 plus p nyclads.

It ain't majic, but it works. Tried it in a plus p velocity 230 speer gdhp (bullet tempered in oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour) from 5 in tube. Got the bullet to expand to 1 in, which was interested but didn't want that much expansion.

 

[gwalchmai]

Well, that IS interesting. I think I'll try some similar research. Thanks!

 

[rimfired]

Well, I figured

I guess it depends on what your intended application will be.

I hate to be the first to say it, but this is one of those areas that is probably, in part, the crux of the "factory vs. handloaded" personal defense ammo issue (besides the more recent ballistics testing used to establish distance argument). It is a non-standard load that is specifically modified and ostensibly designed to inflict a greater wound than standard factory ammo, not that most well designed factory ammo isn't already capable of that. It may be viewed in the same category as filling hollowpoints with mercury, turning HBWCs backwards, dipping bullets in garlic, "dum-dums" of WWII era, etc. While 'a good shoot is a good shoot' likely applies even with such ammo to clear any homicide issues from a criminal law perspective, the ensuing civil suit may likely be more difficult.

In saying this, I am not discounting carrying handloaded ammo for defensive purposes. I am in the camp of having confidence in using handloaded ammo for defensive carry. But mine is loaded with factory components to factory ballistics specifications, without extreme modification. The exception would be a situation where I had hunting or field carry (e.g. "bear load") ammo because that was an activity I was doing, and it is usually only loaded to higher velocity levels.

It would be said. I understand your logic. I'm of the opinion that "an arrow is an arrow, a spear is a spear, a knife is a knife and a projectile from a gun is a projectile."