Winchester’s Biggest Disappointment

Two new cartridges, Hornady's 338 ARC and Winchester's 21 Sharp, have been released, sparking industry debate. The 338 ARC is designed for subsonic hunting on AR-15 platforms, directly challenging Q's 8.6 Blackout with differing opinions on case capacity and twist rates. The 21 Sharp aims to replace the 22 LR with a non-heeled bullet design, though rifle availability is currently limited.

This video tests the penetration capabilities of various .22 LR rounds through a car door. While some lower-velocity rounds failed to penetrate fully, high-velocity options like the CCI 'Stangers' demonstrated significant penetration, embedding into the interior door panel. The test highlights how ammunition choice and velocity impact terminal ballistics against vehicle barriers.

This test debunks the myth that thick clothing prevents hollow point bullet expansion. Using ballistic gel and a VertX sun hoodie, .380 Auto and 9mm rounds were fired. All tested hollow points, including Winchester, Hornady Critical Defense, and Defiant Munitions TCX, expanded successfully, with the Defiant Munitions .380 showing exceptional performance despite fabric contact.

This video delves into Winchester's new .21 Sharp rimfire cartridge, a modern design based on the classic .22 Long Rifle. American Rifleman traveled to Winchester to gain an inside perspective on the development and rationale behind this new ammunition. The discussion highlights the use of jacketed projectiles and the potential for lead-free monolithic designs, aiming to offer improved accuracy and performance at an attractive price point for rimfire applications.

This video debunks the '.22 LR pinball theory' by testing various .22 LR ammunition types through ballistic gel simulating a human chest. Results show bullets either stop, pass through, or tumble, but do not exhibit chaotic internal bouncing. A water jug test captured a deflection, highlighting how fluid dynamics can influence bullet paths, though not in the manner of the myth.

This video provides an unboxing of the new Retay RXP 22 LR pistol. The presenter highlights the included accessories such as two magazines, an optic plate, cleaning brush, and gun lock. Key features like the double-action/single-action trigger, threaded barrel, and optics cut are noted, with a promise of a future build-out guide.

This comparison tests the .50 AE Desert Eagle against the .44 Magnum in various barrier tests, including wood, steel, sand, and concrete. While both calibers showed impressive power, the .50 AE demonstrated superior performance in ballistic gel with deeper penetration and a larger wound channel. Ultimately, the video questions if the .50 AE's marginal gains justify its significantly higher cost per round compared to the versatile .44 Magnum.

This video provides a detailed comparison between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition, demonstrating their performance differences through rigorous barrier testing. While visually identical, 5.56 NATO shows a slight advantage in velocity and energy. Crucially, 5.56 NATO exhibits superior barrier penetration against lumber and steel, whereas .223 Remington struggles. Specialized rounds like M855A1 also show enhanced performance against sand barriers.

This video tests the lethality of various 'less lethal' shotgun rounds, including rubber buckshot, bean bags, and specialized projectiles. The .410 rubber buckshot demonstrated significantly higher velocity and penetration than 12-gauge versions. Bean bag rounds proved to be the most damaging, causing substantial plywood destruction and ballistic gel displacement, leading the host to conclude they are the most lethal 'less lethal' option.

This video compares 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP through various barrier tests including lumber, sand, and concrete, alongside ballistics gel testing. While all calibers performed similarly through most barriers, the .40 S&W showed slightly better penetration and expansion in ballistics gel. The host ultimately favors 9mm due to its lower recoil and higher capacity, despite the .40 S&W's respectable performance.