Low velocity expansion of hunting pellets

[SciueraPlumbea]

First two pellets tested. Shooting .22 15.89
Predator poly mag shorts and 15.89 hades at 664.4 and 666.1 fps

The polymags really opened up. Was shot into nothing but a 2” thick puck of shortening/beeswax. Got both into their liquid form, mixed and poured into a Crème Brûlée dish. Now, the kicker:
The hades I shot into just the crème de fat and bee hurl puck looks almost unshot, if it weren’t for the rifling cuts and the slightly engorged skirt. Had to place the puck on top of a large Utz pretzel stick tub filled with water to get those trocars to open. The predator didn’t require this treatment. Was backed by the late Paul Harrell’s patented “high-tech fleece bullet stop” and was stopped by the first layer.

 

[6gun]

Long live Paul. If you want slightly more exaggerated expansion in the same lane as the polymag, Beeman Crow magnums came out a little larger diameter when I did this simulation into plumbers putty.

I grew up shooting the crow mags out of what I now know is a 600 fps range benjamin 392 pumper to great effect at 20-30 yards.

 

[JaceSpace1369]

First two pellets tested. Shooting .22 15.89
Predator poly mag shorts and 15.89 hades at 664.4 and 666.1 fps

View attachment 563537View attachment 563538
The polymags really opened up. Was shot into nothing but a 2” thick puck of shortening/beeswax. Got both into their liquid form, mixed and poured into a Crème Brûlée dish. Now, the kicker:
The hades I shot into just the crème de fat and bee hurl puck looks almost unshot, if it weren’t for the rifling cuts and the slightly engorged skirt. Had to place the puck on top of a large Utz pretzel stick tub filled with water to get those trocars to open. The predator didn’t require this treatment. Was backed by the late Paul Harrell’s patented “high-tech fleece bullet stop” and was stopped by the first layer.

View attachment 563552

It has been my experience that the hunting pellets will expand more at lower velocities, while at higher velocities they reforms almost as if they are being shredded apart.

 

[JimD]

I don't often shoot "hunting pellets" but metal mags expand from my Prod which can't get them going 700 fps. Reduces penetration a lot so I just use domed for squirrels.

 

[SciueraPlumbea]

I don't often shoot "hunting pellets" but metal mags expand from my Prod which can't get them going 700 fps. Reduces penetration a lot so I just use domed for squirrels.

Was looking for an extremely backyard friendly, cheap, low power .22 with a focus on "QUIET" for chipmunks/squirrels/Sparrow/Starling within 30 yards. H&N FTT 14.66 and Crosman Premier Domed impact approximately 1MOA higher than the Polymags, so they'll be an option as well. the Field target trophy gave me a roughly nickel sized hole through 40 shots from a Gamo arrow.

I bought a Beeman Chief 2 .22 and a Gamo Arrow, . Surprisingly the Arrow came out on top. Very nearly silent, 40 shots+ from a tiny cylinder, shockingly small spread, and beyond satisfactory accuracy in a Short, seemingly weightless package. Sent the Chief 2+ back this morning.