7.62x39mm gel test: Barnaul 125 gr JSP

Andrew Wiggin · November 20, 2015, 06:23 PM

Link to test video

7.62x39mm Barnaul 125 gr jacketed soft point fired from 16" barreled WASR-10/63 into calibrated 10% gelatin.

BB calibration: 588.7 fps, 3.6"

Impact velocity: 2,523 fps
Penetration: 13.6"
Retained weight: 111.0 gr
Max expansion: 0.793"
Min expansion: 0.603"

SHR970 · November 21, 2015, 01:25 PM

That looks like it would be a VERY effective load @ household distances.

Andrew Wiggin · November 21, 2015, 01:42 PM

Absolutely.

SHR970 · November 21, 2015, 10:40 PM

A general comment to everyone out there.

Retained weight: any percentage or number given in any test is based on the STATED weight of the projectile. Very seldom have the authors weighed at least 10 pulled projectiles to give an average weight from a reasonable sample. The further you get from target grade projectiles, the farther you get from the STATED weight on average.

Andrew Wiggin · November 21, 2015, 11:23 PM

That's true, of course, but in tests like this, doing that would be kind of like measuring with a micrometer and cutting with an axe.

SHR970 · November 22, 2015, 12:03 AM

Not really. All to many people assume that the retained weight is baseed on a given weight. Absent pulling the test fired projectile and reseating it (which would introduce other variables) an average weight vs. stated weight has more significant meaning; especially when you move from target grade to fodder grade projectiles.

Given that Com Bloc ammo that is the subject here; STATED weight is the variable. I have two pulled samples of Tula.. one is 118.7 gr. one is 123.9 gr. Both from the same box.

Andrew Wiggin · November 22, 2015, 12:09 AM

I understand. What I mean is that the projectile sheds quite a bit of weight to be sure. This is definitely not match and it's not bonded. The actual projectile weight is likely to vary significantly from nominal. I also only fired one test shot. If I fired nine more, they would likely vary in penetration by a good inch or so and in retained weight by 5 or 10 grains. You're right about everything, it's just that this round is a blunt instrument and my test is not remotely comprehensive.

Kosh75287 · November 22, 2015, 01:36 AM

All the experimental artifacts (real or imagined) aside, that's a fun video to watch, and it musta been fun to make!

Andrew Wiggin · November 22, 2015, 01:41 AM

Thank you. Shooting stuff is always fun.

November 20, 2015, 06:23 PM	#1
Andrew Wiggin Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Posts: 516	7.62x39mm gel test: Barnaul 125 gr JSP Link to test video 7.62x39mm Barnaul 125 gr jacketed soft point fired from 16" barreled WASR-10/63 into calibrated 10% gelatin. BB calibration: 588.7 fps, 3.6" Impact velocity: 2,523 fps Penetration: 13.6" Retained weight: 111.0 gr Max expansion: 0.793" Min expansion: 0.603"

November 22, 2015, 01:36 AM	#8
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	All the experimental artifacts (real or imagined) aside, that's a fun video to watch, and it musta been fun to make! __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!

November 21, 2015, 01:25 PM	#2
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	That looks like it would be a VERY effective load @ household distances.

November 21, 2015, 01:42 PM	#3
Andrew Wiggin Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Posts: 516	Absolutely.

November 21, 2015, 10:40 PM	#4
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	A general comment to everyone out there. Retained weight: any percentage or number given in any test is based on the STATED weight of the projectile. Very seldom have the authors weighed at least 10 pulled projectiles to give an average weight from a reasonable sample. The further you get from target grade projectiles, the farther you get from the STATED weight on average.

November 21, 2015, 11:23 PM	#5
Andrew Wiggin Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Posts: 516	That's true, of course, but in tests like this, doing that would be kind of like measuring with a micrometer and cutting with an axe.

November 22, 2015, 12:03 AM	#6
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Not really. All to many people assume that the retained weight is baseed on a given weight. Absent pulling the test fired projectile and reseating it (which would introduce other variables) an average weight vs. stated weight has more significant meaning; especially when you move from target grade to fodder grade projectiles. Given that Com Bloc ammo that is the subject here; STATED weight is the variable. I have two pulled samples of Tula.. one is 118.7 gr. one is 123.9 gr. Both from the same box.

November 22, 2015, 12:09 AM	#7
Andrew Wiggin Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Posts: 516	I understand. What I mean is that the projectile sheds quite a bit of weight to be sure. This is definitely not match and it's not bonded. The actual projectile weight is likely to vary significantly from nominal. I also only fired one test shot. If I fired nine more, they would likely vary in penetration by a good inch or so and in retained weight by 5 or 10 grains. You're right about everything, it's just that this round is a blunt instrument and my test is not remotely comprehensive.

November 22, 2015, 01:41 AM	#9
Andrew Wiggin Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Posts: 516	Thank you. Shooting stuff is always fun.