Best media to stop a bullet and observe

[FrankenMauser]

I use 1 gallon water juggs I buy at wallmart for 88 cents each.

The bullets will settle, perfectly flowered, perfectly, in 3rd or 4th jugg depending on load.

That depends upon what you're shooting at the jugs, and how fast it's moving....
MarlinOwners penetration king
vs
Hydraulic shock that shatters a sawhorse
(Video courtesy mt_sourdough on MarlinOwners.com)

In contrast, these are the same bullets ("L" and "M") as shown in the second video, but fired from a .44 Mag into wet-pack newsprint at 950 fps. Penetration was within 20% of what the rifles did in the same wet-pack medium. But, of course, expansion was negligible.



And, sometimes... bullets fired into water jugs simply decide to veer off course, out of the jug, and into oblivion.

[wogpotter]

bullets fired into water jugs simply decide to veer off course, out of the jug, and into oblivion.

Yet another advantage to the wine boxes. They're wider & have a greater ability to retain veering bullets it seems as I've yet to have fired one I can't find sitting on the bottom.