Battle of The Lil' Bros!....38 Spcl VS .32 H&R Magnum Hornady Critical Defense Ballistic Gel Test!

Published on November 10, 2024
Duration: 13:12

This video conducts a ballistic gel test comparing Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special (110gr FTX) and .32 H&R Magnum (80gr FTX) ammunition fired from short-barreled revolvers. The .38 Special demonstrated superior expansion and energy transfer, achieving 14 inches of penetration with significant expansion. The .32 H&R Magnum, despite higher muzzle velocity from the 2-inch barrel (965 FPS vs. 900 FPS for .38 Spl), exhibited minimal expansion and relied on tumbling for its 16 inches of penetration, with only slight flaring observed on the projectile.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test comparing .38 Special and .32 H&R Magnum Hornady Critical Defense, the .38 Special 110gr FTX achieved significant expansion (0.500") and 14" penetration. The .32 H&R Magnum 80gr FTX showed minimal expansion (0.415") and relied on tumbling for its 16" penetration, leading to a verdict of inadequate terminal performance.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 00:26.38 Special vs .32 H&R Magnum Comparison
  3. 00:55Ammunition Details: Hornady Critical Defense
  4. 02:14Cartridge Size Comparison
  5. 02:28Firearm Selection: 2-Inch Barrels
  6. 03:10.32 H&R Magnum Chronograph Readings
  7. 04:26.38 Special Chronograph Readings
  8. 05:06Velocity and Energy Comparison
  9. 06:02Ballistic Gel Test: .32 H&R Magnum
  10. 06:40Ballistic Gel Test: .38 Special
  11. 07:04Gel Test Results Analysis
  12. 07:35.32 H&R Magnum Gel Breakdown
  13. 08:02.38 Special Gel Breakdown
  14. 09:14Projectile Examination
  15. 10:09Projectile Measurements and Weight
  16. 11:05Final Comparison and Winner
  17. 11:35Conclusion and Takeaways
  18. 12:06.32 H&R Magnum Performance Verdict
  19. 12:24Viewer Engagement and Future Tests

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the .38 Special Hornady Critical Defense perform in ballistic gel?

The .38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr FTX projectile demonstrated excellent expansion, reaching a diameter of 0.500 inches from its original 0.356 inches. It achieved 14 inches of penetration in ballistic gel, indicating effective energy transfer and terminal performance.

What was the performance of the .32 H&R Magnum Hornady Critical Defense in ballistic gel?

The .32 H&R Magnum Hornady Critical Defense 80gr FTX showed minimal expansion, measuring 0.415 inches from its original 0.316 inches, with the projectile insert remaining lodged. While it achieved 16 inches of penetration, this was attributed to tumbling rather than controlled expansion, leading the instructor to deem its performance a failure.

Which cartridge offered better energy transfer in the ballistic gel test?

Despite the .32 H&R Magnum having a higher muzzle velocity (965 FPS) from a 2-inch barrel compared to the .38 Special (900 FPS), the .38 Special's heavier 110gr projectile resulted in superior energy transfer due to its significant expansion.

What firearms were used for the .38 Special and .32 H&R Magnum ballistic gel test?

The test utilized short-barreled revolvers. A Taurus 856 with a 2-inch barrel was used for the .38 Special, and a Taurus 327, also with a 2-inch barrel, was used for the .32 H&R Magnum.

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