Silver Bear 5.45x39 60gr Bimetal FMJ Gel Test Results

plouffedaddy · January 6, 2013, 08:22 PM

Just finished up testing the Silver Bear 5.45x39 round from my Iron Clad Armory AK-74. The test was shot at 15 ft, 40 degrees, and 300 ft of elevation and the Clear Ballistics FBI spec gel block was used with 4 layers of denim.

Results:

-2782fps, 1030 ft/lbs energy
-Tumbling started 2'' in
-Penetrated 15.25''

The manufacture of the gel block, Clear Ballistics, claims their gel meets FBI specs for testing. I calibrate my gel per their specs prior to testing and use 4 layers of denim per IWBA protocol.

However, by no means am I saying this test is a substitute for the great work industry professionals like Dr. Roberts and others do. I'm just a shooter that likes to learn about the products I use.

Here's the video of the test:

Silver Bear 5.45x39 Gel Test HD Video Link

bacardisteve · January 7, 2013, 07:37 AM

Silver bear is my favorite of all the steel cas ammo. Even used a 147gr sp out of my 308 saiga to take a deer and it worked great penetrated almost 2 feet and expanded into a nice mushroom that measured just under 3/4 of an inch.

amd6547 · January 7, 2013, 10:26 AM

Interesting.
I have only shot 7n6 and Hornady in my Saiga 5.45. I like the Hornady for HD use.
I will have to try the Silver Bear if I find some.

chris in va · January 8, 2013, 02:20 AM

2700fps. I would have expected more on par with 223 velocities.

plouffedaddy · January 8, 2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

2700fps. I would have expected more on par with 223 velocities.

I'd say for a 60gr bullet it's pretty close to most 62gr 223 rounds. Which ones vary greatly from 2782 fps?

Hairbag · January 8, 2013, 01:24 PM

Nice AK is that the milled AK74? I like the silver bear and golden bear myself. Good non-corrosive clean ammo. I save the 7N6 for a rainy day ammo. I just picked up a waffen works AK74 I was not aware they were built on a spud receiver. Good homework! You just can't beat that AK74 not matter how you slice that pie!

seanc · January 8, 2013, 03:42 PM

Nice review! Good to hear that Silver Bear FMJ appears to be as effective as 7n6.

Here's a review from Brassfetcher on 7n6 and Wolf FMJ/HP
http://www.brassfetcher.com/5.45x39m...ry%20Table.pdf

Have you had a chance to try out Wolf soft point?

plouffedaddy · January 8, 2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Nice AK is that the milled AK74? I like the silver bear and golden bear myself. Good non-corrosive clean ammo. I save the 7N6 for a rainy day ammo. I just picked up a waffen works AK74 I was not aware they were built on a spud receiver. Good homework! You just can't beat that AK74 not matter how you slice that pie!

It's stamped.

New WW74s are not built on Nodak spuds anymore; they make their own receivers now but I'm sure there's one or two still sitting on a gun shelf somewhere with the Nodaks. They've also changed their barrel sourcing since then (used to be Green Mountain barrels, now they're ESS spec'd by WW).

I do love the AK74

and 7N6

Hairbag · January 8, 2013, 07:05 PM

I picked up a WW with a nodak and a chrome lined barrel. It's taking forever to get here FFL guys are slammed!

chris in va · January 8, 2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

I'd say for a 60gr bullet it's pretty close to most 62gr 223 rounds. Which ones vary greatly from 2782 fps?

Easy.

60gr Vmax
27gr Varget
3170fps

Heck, even using 25.5gr of 4895 will get you 3020fps.

plouffedaddy · January 8, 2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Easy.

60gr Vmax
27gr Varget
3170fps

Heck, even using 25.5gr of 4895 will get you 3020fps.

I thought you were referring to factory loads; my bad.

January 6, 2013, 08:22 PM	#1
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,957	Silver Bear 5.45x39 60gr Bimetal FMJ Gel Test Results Just finished up testing the Silver Bear 5.45x39 round from my Iron Clad Armory AK-74. The test was shot at 15 ft, 40 degrees, and 300 ft of elevation and the Clear Ballistics FBI spec gel block was used with 4 layers of denim. Results: -2782fps, 1030 ft/lbs energy -Tumbling started 2'' in -Penetrated 15.25'' The manufacture of the gel block, Clear Ballistics, claims their gel meets FBI specs for testing. I calibrate my gel per their specs prior to testing and use 4 layers of denim per IWBA protocol. However, by no means am I saying this test is a substitute for the great work industry professionals like Dr. Roberts and others do. I'm just a shooter that likes to learn about the products I use. Here's the video of the test: Silver Bear 5.45x39 Gel Test HD Video Link __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

January 7, 2013, 07:37 AM	#2
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 343	Silver bear is my favorite of all the steel cas ammo. Even used a 147gr sp out of my 308 saiga to take a deer and it worked great penetrated almost 2 feet and expanded into a nice mushroom that measured just under 3/4 of an inch. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

January 7, 2013, 10:26 AM	#3
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 1,064	Interesting. I have only shot 7n6 and Hornady in my Saiga 5.45. I like the Hornady for HD use. I will have to try the Silver Bear if I find some. __________________ Still waiting for my Flashback...I would like it now, please.

January 8, 2013, 01:24 PM	#6
Hairbag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Posts: 427	Nice AK is that the milled AK74? I like the silver bear and golden bear myself. Good non-corrosive clean ammo. I save the 7N6 for a rainy day ammo. I just picked up a waffen works AK74 I was not aware they were built on a spud receiver. Good homework! You just can't beat that AK74 not matter how you slice that pie! __________________ I'm hairbag and I approve this message.

January 8, 2013, 07:05 PM	#9
Hairbag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Posts: 427	I picked up a WW with a nodak and a chrome lined barrel. It's taking forever to get here FFL guys are slammed! __________________ I'm hairbag and I approve this message. Last edited by Hairbag; February 23, 2013 at 01:18 PM.

January 8, 2013, 02:20 AM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	2700fps. I would have expected more on par with 223 velocities.

January 8, 2013, 03:42 PM	#7
seanc Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 89	Nice review! Good to hear that Silver Bear FMJ appears to be as effective as 7n6. Here's a review from Brassfetcher on 7n6 and Wolf FMJ/HP http://www.brassfetcher.com/5.45x39m...ry%20Table.pdf Have you had a chance to try out Wolf soft point?