Brown Bear 223 Rem 55 gr Soft Point | Gel Test

Published on August 22, 2017
Duration: 4:43

This video presents a gel test of Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point 223 Remington ammunition fired from a 16-inch Rock River carbine with a 1:9 twist. The test reveals significant disruption and fragmentation, with the core retaining its jacket. While the performance is deemed decent for its price point, the instructor advises against it as primary home defense due to potential quality control issues with Russian steel-case ammunition and its tendency to not obturate as well as brass-cased rounds.

Quick Summary

Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point 223 Remington ammunition demonstrated good disruption and fragmentation in gel tests, achieving 13.1 inches of penetration and a wide temporary cavity. While its performance is comparable to some Western soft points, potential quality control issues with Russian steel-case ammo make it less ideal for primary home defense compared to higher-quality brass-cased options.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction and Ammunition Overview
  2. 00:17Firearm Setup: Rock River Carbine
  3. 00:34Gel Test Firing Sequence
  4. 01:00Gel Test Results: Disruption and Fragmentation
  5. 01:16Penetration and Temporary Cavity Measurements
  6. 01:42Close-up of Gel Block Damage
  7. 01:56Performance Comparison to Western Ammunition
  8. 02:05Overall Performance Assessment
  9. 02:46Home Defense Viability Discussion
  10. 02:51Concerns with Russian Steel Case Ammunition
  11. 03:34Quality Control and Brass vs. Steel Case
  12. 03:43Recommendations for Primary Defense Ammunition
  13. 03:52Alternative Use Cases: Stacking Deep
  14. 04:05Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point 223 Remington perform in a gel test?

The Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point 223 Remington ammunition showed significant disruption and fragmentation in gel tests, with the core retaining its jacket. It achieved 13.1 inches of penetration and created a large temporary cavity, performing comparably to some Western-made soft points.

Is Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point suitable for home defense?

While the ballistic performance is decent, the instructor advises against using Brown Bear 55gr Soft Point as primary home defense ammo. Concerns include potential Russian quality control issues and the fact that steel-case ammunition doesn't obturate as well as brass, which can lead to cycling problems.

What are the advantages of steel-case ammunition like Brown Bear?

The primary advantage of steel-case ammunition like Brown Bear is its significantly lower cost, making it a good option for practice or for 'stacking deep' for potential long-term use. However, this cost savings comes with potential trade-offs in reliability and quality control compared to brass-cased ammunition.

What are the potential drawbacks of steel-case ammunition in AR-15 platforms?

Steel-case ammunition may not obturate (expand to seal the chamber) as effectively as brass-cased ammunition. This can lead to increased carbon fouling in the chamber and action, potentially causing cycling issues over time. However, most modern AR-15s should reliably cycle steel-case if properly maintained.

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