Why .300 Blackout Is Like a Disadvantaged Yoot: Federal 120gr PowerShok Gel Test

Published on December 20, 2019
Duration: 7:28

This ballistic gel test evaluates Federal 120gr PowerShok .300 Blackout ammunition fired from an 8-inch AR-15. The test revealed 19.6 inches of penetration and significant temporary cavity expansion, though bullet expansion was minimal, suggesting it's tuned for higher velocities. While meeting minimum penetration, it exceeded the ideal range for home defense.

Quick Summary

The Federal 120gr PowerShok .300 Blackout achieved 19.6 inches of penetration in ballistic gelatin from an 8-inch barrel, creating a large temporary cavity but showing minimal expansion. This suggests the bullet is tuned for higher velocities, making 110gr Barnes TAC-TX or Hornady SST potentially better for home defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .300 Blackout vs Larger Calibers
  2. 01:16Ballistic Gel Test Setup: 8" AR-15
  3. 01:53Gel Test Results: Penetration & Cavity
  4. 02:34Bullet Expansion Analysis
  5. 04:05Home Defense Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Federal 120gr PowerShok .300 Blackout perform in the ballistic gel test?

The Federal 120gr PowerShok .300 Blackout achieved 19.6 inches of penetration in calibrated 10% ballistic gelatin from an 8-inch barrel. It also created a large temporary stretch cavity but showed minimal bullet expansion.

What were the key measurements from the .300 Blackout gel test?

The test recorded 19.6 inches of total penetration, a 1.25-inch neck, and a temporary stretch cavity measuring 9 inches long by 4 inches wide. The recovered bullet's maximum expansion was only 0.536 inches.

Why did the Federal 120gr PowerShok .300 Blackout show limited expansion?

The limited expansion suggests the bullet is likely tuned for the higher velocities of cartridges like the .308 Winchester, rather than the slower speeds typically achieved by .300 Blackout from short barrels like the 8-inch AR-15 used in the test.

What are recommended alternatives for .300 Blackout home defense?

For better home defense performance in .300 Blackout, the host recommends using 110gr Barnes TAC-TX or 110gr Hornady SST ammunition, which are designed to expand more reliably at typical .300 Blackout velocities.

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