.38 Special VS Ice Bucket Challenge - 125gr 158gr

Published on February 24, 2019
Duration: 10:38

This video demonstrates the ballistic performance of .38 Special ammunition fired into ice blocks contained within buckets. The instructor compares a 125gr Magtech Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) round against a 158gr American Eagle Lead Semi-Wadcutter (LSWC) round, analyzing penetration depth and bullet deformation. The experiment highlights how different bullet types and weights interact with a solid medium like ice, providing insights into terminal ballistics.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic test, a 125gr Magtech Full Metal Jacket .38 Special round penetrated approximately 4 inches into an ice block with minimal deformation. A 158gr American Eagle Lead Semi-Wadcutter .38 Special round also penetrated about 4 inches, showing similar lack of significant deformation due to insufficient impact velocity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Ice Ballistics Test
  2. 00:30Ammunition Selection: 125gr FMJ vs 158gr LSWC
  3. 01:17First Shot: 125gr Magtech FMJ into Ice
  4. 02:46Second Shot: 158gr American Eagle LSWC into Ice
  5. 03:55Bullet Recovery and Initial Analysis
  6. 04:07Measuring Penetration Depth
  7. 05:17Follow-up Shots and Bullet Recovery (Days Later)
  8. 06:04Detailed Ice Block Examination
  9. 06:37Recovery of the 158gr LSWC Bullet
  10. 07:36Close Examination of Recovered Bullets
  11. 08:15Analysis of Bullet Deformation and Velocity
  12. 08:36Additional Shooting and Slow-Motion Footage
  13. 10:13Future Caliber Comparisons and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

How did a 125gr .38 Special FMJ round perform when shot into ice?

The 125gr Magtech Full Metal Jacket .38 Special round penetrated approximately 4 inches into the ice block. The bullet showed minimal deformation, indicating that the velocity was not high enough to cause significant upset upon impact with the solid medium.

What was the penetration depth of a 158gr .38 Special LSWC bullet in ice?

The 158gr American Eagle Lead Semi-Wadcutter .38 Special bullet also penetrated about 4 inches into the ice. Similar to the FMJ, this lead bullet exhibited very little deformation, suggesting the impact velocity was insufficient for substantial upset.

Did the .38 Special bullets deform significantly when fired into ice?

No, neither the 125gr FMJ nor the 158gr LSWC .38 Special bullets deformed significantly. The instructor noted that the velocity of the rounds was likely too low to cause substantial upset or flattening of the bullet upon impact with the ice.

What is the purpose of shooting firearms into ice blocks?

Shooting firearms into ice blocks, as demonstrated in this video, serves as a method to test ballistic performance and bullet terminal characteristics. It allows for observation of penetration depth and bullet deformation in a solid, yet somewhat brittle, medium.

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