Does Cheap Russian JSP Expand? 7.62x39mm Barnaul 125gr Soft Point Gel Test

Published on March 1, 2019
Duration: 5:26

This video tests Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition through ballistic gelatin. The instructor, Andrew, demonstrates that contrary to some beliefs, this cheap Russian ammunition exhibits significant expansion and creates a substantial temporary stretch cavity, performing comparably to premium defensive rounds. While weight retention is not 100% due to fragmentation, this fragmentation is considered beneficial for defensive applications.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gelatin test, Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition demonstrated significant expansion and created a large temporary stretch cavity, performing comparably to premium defensive rounds. The fragmentation observed is beneficial for defensive applications.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: Testing Barnaul 7.62x39mm
  2. 00:10Barnaul 125gr Soft Point Overview
  3. 00:40Test Setup: Waser 1063 and Ballistic Gelatin
  4. 01:23Ballistic Gelatin Test Results
  5. 01:48Expansion and Temporary Cavity Analysis
  6. 02:12Total Penetration Measurement
  7. 02:24Bullet Examination: Expansion and Fragmentation
  8. 03:02Impressive Terminal Performance Summary
  9. 03:13Weight Retention vs. Fragmentation Discussion
  10. 03:41Velocity and Caliber Comparison
  11. 03:52Debunking the Russian Soft Point Myth
  12. 04:11FMJ vs. Soft Point Performance
  13. 04:36Recommendation for Defensive Use
  14. 04:48Call for Feedback and Further Discussion

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cheap Russian 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition expand effectively?

Yes, this test demonstrates that Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition expands significantly in ballistic gelatin, creating a large temporary stretch cavity and performing comparably to premium defensive rounds.

What are the terminal ballistics of Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition?

The Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point achieved instant expansion, a large temporary stretch cavity (10x4 inches), 15.4 inches of penetration, and around 80% weight retention with some fragmentation.

Is Barnaul 125gr 7.62x39mm soft point ammunition suitable for self-defense?

Based on its performance, including significant expansion and fragmentation which aids in wound channel complexity, this ammunition is recommended for defensive purposes, provided it functions reliably in your firearm.

Why do some people believe Russian soft point ammo doesn't expand?

This misconception likely stems from a 'telephone game' effect. While most Russian 7.62x39mm FMJ ammo does not expand, their soft point variants, like the Barnaul tested, generally perform very well.

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