Is It ALL About The TIP?

Published on November 25, 2022
Duration: 12:29

This video details a ballistic gel test comparing Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX and Hornady American Gunner 115gr XTP 9mm ammunition. The test involved firing rounds through a heavy clothing barrier into gel blocks to evaluate expansion, penetration, and overall performance. The Critical Defense demonstrated more consistent expansion and disruption compared to the American Gunner XTP, which showed variability in performance.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test with a clothing barrier, Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX 9mm consistently expanded well, showing good disruption. Conversely, Hornady American Gunner 115gr XTP 9mm exhibited inconsistent performance, with some rounds expanding and others tumbling or failing to expand.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 01:34Velocity Testing: Critical Defense
  3. 02:06Velocity Testing: American Gunner
  4. 02:53Ballistic Gel Test: Critical Defense vs. XTP
  5. 05:01Gel Block Analysis
  6. 09:11Projectile Examination
  7. 10:01Projectile Weight Analysis
  8. 10:49Conclusion and Performance Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX 9mm perform in a ballistic gel test with a clothing barrier?

The Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX 9mm consistently expanded well through a heavy clothing barrier into ballistic gel, showing good disruption and retaining most of its weight. It demonstrated reliable performance in the test.

What were the results of the Hornady American Gunner 115gr XTP 9mm in a ballistic gel test?

The Hornady American Gunner 115gr XTP 9mm showed inconsistent results. Some rounds expanded, while others failed to expand, tumbled, or exited the gel block with minimal expansion, indicating variability in performance.

What was the measured velocity of the tested 9mm ammunition from a Taurus GX4?

From a Taurus GX4 with a 3-inch barrel, the Critical Defense 115gr averaged 1075 fps, and the American Gunner 115gr averaged 1031 fps. These velocities were lower than advertised on the ammunition boxes.

What is the instructor's standard for judging ammunition performance in tests?

The instructor's standard is 100% reliability. For them, if even one round fails to perform as expected in a test series, the ammunition type is considered a failure, emphasizing consistency.

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