Handgun hard cast penetration?

[Beendare]

I think that hard cast ammo is a game changer....in other words, the general consensus used to be you have to pack THE most powerful weapon for it to be considered a stopper- .44 mag or larger. I think the relatively new hard cast ammo is changing that thinking. We are seeing cases of 9mm,10mm and the lesser cartridges with a hard cast penetrating bullet with devastating results.

Makes sense^...the African guys have been using solids for years to drop big critters. I've seen a .338 solid go through the skull of a Australian Water buff, continuing through about 4 feet of the hump of his back then through a 6" diameter tree....and we never found the bullet!

Lehigh Defense makes some hardcast ammo worth considering. One advantage, much of their stuff is solid copper so no worry of fowling a stock Glock 10mm barrels.

They claim 3 feet of penetration through animal tissue. Seems to me there is a vid showing their ammo performing.

Lehigh link

...

 

[Teaman1]

I started on that train of thought but a can’t find any penetration tests on the 10mm compared to the 44 mag. I wasn’t sure on it either as the heaviest hard cast loads in 10mm have a lower sectional density than a 300 grain from the 44

 

[Shraggs]

I’ll check out buffalo bore again for a chart or something. Just trying to figure out if there is much gain in a double action 44 with hot but not full house loads for repeat shots or if that 10mm would be much faster. I understand that there will be little time to even react, let alone take multiple shots if you are surprised.

They have velocity charts, but the penetration data was imbedded in the written text or Tim’s written comments.

I have a 44 mag model 629. I like it. I’ve mentioned this on another thread - I was not able to get two shots or double taps accurately. Second was alway high and right. I know I can shoot thru that. But when I figured what it would cost to train thru that, it was cheaper to buy a glock 20. I am abke to shoot that very well out of the gate. Some have said the recoil is stout in the 10 glock but I don’t notice it all.

Bottom line I have confidence in them at platform for me and agree with Benedere has suggested hard cast in lesser calibers are increase there potential.

 

[lars]

I have gone through this same debate recently. Have you listened to this podcast?

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...-defense-tactics/id1020880772?i=1000409182215

Lots of good point to chew on while your hanging out in the woods with grizzlies. He eventually discusses penetration. 10mm being the winner.

 

[AKDoc]

I have a RSRH chambered in 454 Casull that I carried up here for about a dozen years. I handload 360grn gas-checked hard-cast for that pistol. As a penetration test out in the field I shot a live standing white spruce tree. The diameter of the trunk was so large that I could not get my arms around it to touch hands on the other side...came up short by a good foot. That bullet entered the trunk and exited the other side all three times I shot it. My hunting partner was amazed and suggested that perhaps there was a hollow core in that tree. I had him choose another standing white spruce that was even bigger, and I shot the remaining three rounds through that even bigger tree as well.

 

[SteveCNJ]

I have gone through this same debate recently. Have you listened to this podcast?

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...-defense-tactics/id1020880772?i=1000409182215

Lots of good point to chew on while your hanging out in the woods with grizzlies. He eventually discusses penetration. 10mm being the winner.

Great information in the podcast, thanks!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Jacack]

Anyone ever played with these? I know they are light but the velocity and penetration seems good

 

[kid44]

.454 Casull, with a hard cast bear load or the Punch bullet.

 

[Beendare]

Since Kid dredged this up.....

Personally, I think there are many factors to consider- not just which is the more powerful cartridge.

I think the #1 factor [by a wide margin] is what can you shoot fast and accurately from the draw?

I have gone from using a .44mag [both my 629 classic and my buddies 329PD I was borrowing regularly] to a G20 SF 10mm. I practice with shooting Glocks a lot from the draw...so of course I shoot it faster and more accurately than a magnum revolver, YMMV.

I haven't compared penetration of hardcast bullets side by side....but I have shot the 10mm though a 4x4 with impressive results. The tests I've seen show a 10mm hardcast being more than enough to put a bullet through the skull or bones of a big bear.

FWIW, I've run right at 600 rds of Underwood 200gr hardcast through my stock Glock [and as much as 300rds in one session] and had no problems with lead buildup. Not one malfunction, zero. The only mods to my G20 was a SS GR, Trijicon sights and polish the trigger components. I like the stock connector....I think it has a good combat trigger.....but again, YMMV.


________

 

[WCB]

An Official Journal Of The NRA | First Look: Federal Premium Solid Core Ammo

Federal Premium’s new Solid Core line of handgun ammo hits game harder with a tough, flat-nose lead bullet that holds together while blowing through bone, providing high weight retention and deep penetration.

www.americanhunter.org