Hornady Critical Defense vs Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum Ballistic Gel Test & Review .22WMR

Published on March 5, 2024
Duration: 17:03

This video conducts a ballistic gel test comparing Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum ammunition fired from a 3-inch barrel. The test evaluates penetration, expansion, and wound cavity creation, including a test with four layers of denim as a barrier. The presenter provides detailed measurements and visual analysis of the recovered projectiles.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test with a 3-inch barrel, Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum (40 grain) consistently expanded and penetrated to approximately 12 inches, meeting FBI minimums. Hornady Critical Defense (45 grain) showed limited expansion in bare gel but unexpectedly expanded through denim, though with less penetration than the Gold Dot.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 00:36Ballistic Gel Calibration
  3. 01:52Ammunition Specs: Hornady vs Speer
  4. 02:57Hornady Critical Defense Gel Test
  5. 05:40Hornady Penetration & Expansion Analysis
  6. 05:43Speer Gold Dot Gel Test
  7. 06:34Speer Gold Dot Penetration & Expansion Analysis
  8. 07:23Denim Barrier Test Setup
  9. 08:15Denim Test: Hornady vs Speer Results
  10. 09:38Denim Test: Hornady Expansion Revealed
  11. 10:41Denim Test: Speer Gold Dot Performance
  12. 11:33Denim Test Penetration Measurements
  13. 12:11Bullet Recovery & Measurement Prep
  14. 12:24Recovered Bullet Visuals
  15. 12:42Retained Weight Measurements
  16. 13:25Expanded Diameter Measurements
  17. 15:48Conclusion & Winner: Speer Gold Dot
  18. 16:16Products Used & Links

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady Critical Defense .22 Magnum perform in ballistic gel from a 3-inch barrel?

The Hornady Critical Defense .22 Magnum (45 grain) showed tumbling and limited expansion in ballistic gel fired from a 3-inch barrel. Penetration was around 10.5 to 10.75 inches, with retained weight near the original 45 grains. Expansion diameters were modest, around .333 to .35 caliber.

What were the results for Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum in the ballistic gel test?

Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum (40 grain) consistently expanded in ballistic gel from a 3-inch barrel, achieving approximately 12 inches of penetration and meeting FBI minimums. Recovered bullets retained around 39.7-39.8 grains, with expanded diameters reaching approximately .46 caliber.

How did the .22 Magnum rounds perform through a four-layer denim barrier?

Surprisingly, the Hornady Critical Defense expanded through four layers of denim, while the Speer Gold Dot showed reduced expansion compared to bare gel. However, the Gold Dot achieved greater penetration (around 13.75 inches) through the denim than the Hornady (around 11 inches).

Which .22 Magnum ammunition was deemed superior in the test and why?

The Speer Gold Dot was deemed superior due to its consistent performance, reliable expansion, and ability to meet FBI minimum penetration standards in both bare gel and through a denim barrier. This consistency, even with a lighter bullet, made it the preferred choice.

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