Barnes 9mm 115gr +P TAC-XPD in Clear Ballistics Gel

5pins · August 25, 2017, 07:45 PM

Barnes has long been known for their solid copper rifle bullets with a well-established reputation in the hunting fields. Something that may not be as well known to some is their line of defensive ammo. This Barnes 9mm load is labeled as +P but the velocity seemed a little low in my sample. This ammo was shot using a Sig P229 with a 3.9-inch barrel. Shot into two 16 inch blocks of Clear Ballistics gel. Two round into bare gel than two rounds into gel covered with heavy clothing and then finally two rounds out of an M&P Shield with a 3.1-inch barrel.

The first round into the bare gel had a velocity of 1047fps, penetrated to 13.5 inches and expanded to .68 inches. Round number two penetrated to 13.25 inches, expanded to .69 inches and had a velocity of 1067fps.

The first shot into the heavy clothing gel did not register on the chronograph but penetrated to 12.5 inches and expanded to .70 inches. The second round also expanded to .70 inches, penetrated to 13 inches with a velocity of 1048fps.

The velocity out of the Shield dropped a bit with the first shot coming in at 997fps, penetrated to 12.5 inches and opened up to .69 inches. The second round also penetrated to 12.5 inches with a velocity of 980fps and expanded to .70 inches.

CDW4ME · August 26, 2017, 07:56 AM

That is impressive performance for 9mm, expansion is on par with better 40 hollow points.

mete · August 26, 2017, 09:00 AM

Those velocity figures are a bit low for +P.
My choice for hunting in a 44mag 6.5" M29 is the factory loaded 225 gr Barnes . I don't have any numbers but the performance is excellent in whitetails ,one shot kills with excellent accuracy. For rifle I use factory 300 gr in 45-70. One red deer cull ran as I pulled the trigger but that gut shot slowed it greatly. bullet opened perfectly stopping against the hide. Second shot went through both shoulders ,smashing much bone, breaking off leaves . base of the bullet exited .
I much prefer info on performance in actual live animals .For smaller game the Barnes works very well in my 40 S&W HK so I carry that !
BTW I find little difference between the 40 S&W and the 45 acp.

wild cat mccane · August 26, 2017, 09:24 AM

Is it a Corbon or Barnes bullet in the PDX and XPD?

Corbon seems to have disappeared in previous normal availability when Barnes was bought by Remington

ligonierbill · August 26, 2017, 09:36 AM

Your velocities sound about right. I loaded some 115 TAC-XP over Power Pistol in my full size M&P and averaged 1,100. Hornady 115 XTP go considerably faster out of that pistol. Is the Barnes worth it? Only you can decide.

rock185 · August 26, 2017, 03:16 PM

Those look like -P velocities for a 115 grain in 9MM. I've chronographed a bunch of 9MM over the years, and without checking my notes can't recall any 115 grain as slow. Can't argue with the bullet performance though. Impressive, that bullet technology has advanced to a level that such performance is possible at such a low velocity.

Colorado Redneck · August 27, 2017, 09:06 PM

Lucky Gunner tested a bunch of self defense ammo for various calibers. The results for Barnes 9mm ammo was nearly identical to yours. Barnes advertises 1125 fps muzzle velocity. The test showed at around 1050fps. Those rounds evidently do expand really well.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/

Ammo Quest tested it too, in a shorter barrel and the expansion was inconsistent.
https://www.full30.com/video/2507cea...d29a39dde06dac

Longhorn1986 · August 28, 2017, 10:34 AM

My wife carries the Barnes 9mm in her EDC PPS M2 and her P320. I carry the 45 ACP version in my 1911s and my FNX-45 and we both load the .357 version in our revolvers. Barnes makes good stuff!

August 25, 2017, 07:45 PM	#1
5pins Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1998 Location: WV Posts: 252	Barnes 9mm 115gr +P TAC-XPD in Clear Ballistics Gel Barnes has long been known for their solid copper rifle bullets with a well-established reputation in the hunting fields. Something that may not be as well known to some is their line of defensive ammo. This Barnes 9mm load is labeled as +P but the velocity seemed a little low in my sample. This ammo was shot using a Sig P229 with a 3.9-inch barrel. Shot into two 16 inch blocks of Clear Ballistics gel. Two round into bare gel than two rounds into gel covered with heavy clothing and then finally two rounds out of an M&P Shield with a 3.1-inch barrel. The first round into the bare gel had a velocity of 1047fps, penetrated to 13.5 inches and expanded to .68 inches. Round number two penetrated to 13.25 inches, expanded to .69 inches and had a velocity of 1067fps. The first shot into the heavy clothing gel did not register on the chronograph but penetrated to 12.5 inches and expanded to .70 inches. The second round also expanded to .70 inches, penetrated to 13 inches with a velocity of 1048fps. The velocity out of the Shield dropped a bit with the first shot coming in at 997fps, penetrated to 12.5 inches and opened up to .69 inches. The second round also penetrated to 12.5 inches with a velocity of 980fps and expanded to .70 inches. __________________ www.general-cartridge.com

August 26, 2017, 07:56 AM	#2
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 1,321	That is impressive performance for 9mm, expansion is on par with better 40 hollow points. __________________ Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap. "Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.

August 26, 2017, 09:00 AM	#3
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Those velocity figures are a bit low for +P. My choice for hunting in a 44mag 6.5" M29 is the factory loaded 225 gr Barnes . I don't have any numbers but the performance is excellent in whitetails ,one shot kills with excellent accuracy. For rifle I use factory 300 gr in 45-70. One red deer cull ran as I pulled the trigger but that gut shot slowed it greatly. bullet opened perfectly stopping against the hide. Second shot went through both shoulders ,smashing much bone, breaking off leaves . base of the bullet exited . I much prefer info on performance in actual live animals .For smaller game the Barnes works very well in my 40 S&W HK so I carry that ! BTW I find little difference between the 40 S&W and the 45 acp. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

August 26, 2017, 03:16 PM	#6
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	Those look like -P velocities for a 115 grain in 9MM. I've chronographed a bunch of 9MM over the years, and without checking my notes can't recall any 115 grain as slow. Can't argue with the bullet performance though. Impressive, that bullet technology has advanced to a level that such performance is possible at such a low velocity. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

August 26, 2017, 09:24 AM	#4
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,626	Is it a Corbon or Barnes bullet in the PDX and XPD? Corbon seems to have disappeared in previous normal availability when Barnes was bought by Remington

August 26, 2017, 09:36 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	Your velocities sound about right. I loaded some 115 TAC-XP over Power Pistol in my full size M&P and averaged 1,100. Hornady 115 XTP go considerably faster out of that pistol. Is the Barnes worth it? Only you can decide.

August 27, 2017, 09:06 PM	#7
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	Lucky Gunner tested a bunch of self defense ammo for various calibers. The results for Barnes 9mm ammo was nearly identical to yours. Barnes advertises 1125 fps muzzle velocity. The test showed at around 1050fps. Those rounds evidently do expand really well. http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/ Ammo Quest tested it too, in a shorter barrel and the expansion was inconsistent. https://www.full30.com/video/2507cea...d29a39dde06dac

August 28, 2017, 10:34 AM	#8
Longhorn1986 Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2016 Location: Fort Bend County, Texas Posts: 173	My wife carries the Barnes 9mm in her EDC PPS M2 and her P320. I carry the 45 ACP version in my 1911s and my FNX-45 and we both load the .357 version in our revolvers. Barnes makes good stuff!