I'm a terminal ballistics geek. Have been for decades. Especially about hollow points.
When I was younger, there was no way for me to do my own testing, plus all I had was low-power airguns that wouldn't make pellets expand (also, no 'realistic' test media).
Now I have a 392pa in .22, that is reasonably powerful and access to all types of pellets.
Looking at YouTube pellet testing in ballistic gel, I found a short video where the guy compared the expansion and penetration of pellets in BG and Play Doh ... it was amazing, the terminal ballistics were practically identical for penetration and expansion in both mediums.
Being the practical guy I am, I ran straight to Walmart and bought 14, 3oz tubs of play doh ( $0.59 each, so $5). Molded it into one big lump and started shooting some RWS Super H Points.
Firing them into modeling clay produced extreme expansion and hollow point separation, with the skirts penetrating a few inches more than the shed hollow point ring - about 2.25" for the hollow point and 3+" for the skirt consistantly.
So I fired 2 into the play doh block, 8 pumps in the Benji @ 30 feet. Cutting the block open revealed identical penetration (3.25") and complete expansion WITHOUT pellet head separation.
I decided on a 'real' field test and found a willing chipmunk. I'd set up some bait and a stack of old cotton cloths to catch any pass-through shots.
I was given a good broadside and got a solid hit in the boiler room. The volunteer was completely blown off the rock and dissappeared on the far side .... unfortunately, the hole was right there and he got inside. The cloths were perfectly in line with the shot, but there was no trace of the pellet. Could it have possibly not over-penetrated?
I haven't had a chance to repeat the hunt, so I can't confirm anything, I'll have to try again. But the pellet hit HARD!!
Anyway, here's a picture of the ballistic Play Doh test.
When I was younger, there was no way for me to do my own testing, plus all I had was low-power airguns that wouldn't make pellets expand (also, no 'realistic' test media).
Now I have a 392pa in .22, that is reasonably powerful and access to all types of pellets.
Looking at YouTube pellet testing in ballistic gel, I found a short video where the guy compared the expansion and penetration of pellets in BG and Play Doh ... it was amazing, the terminal ballistics were practically identical for penetration and expansion in both mediums.
Being the practical guy I am, I ran straight to Walmart and bought 14, 3oz tubs of play doh ( $0.59 each, so $5). Molded it into one big lump and started shooting some RWS Super H Points.
Firing them into modeling clay produced extreme expansion and hollow point separation, with the skirts penetrating a few inches more than the shed hollow point ring - about 2.25" for the hollow point and 3+" for the skirt consistantly.
So I fired 2 into the play doh block, 8 pumps in the Benji @ 30 feet. Cutting the block open revealed identical penetration (3.25") and complete expansion WITHOUT pellet head separation.
I decided on a 'real' field test and found a willing chipmunk. I'd set up some bait and a stack of old cotton cloths to catch any pass-through shots.
I was given a good broadside and got a solid hit in the boiler room. The volunteer was completely blown off the rock and dissappeared on the far side .... unfortunately, the hole was right there and he got inside. The cloths were perfectly in line with the shot, but there was no trace of the pellet. Could it have possibly not over-penetrated?
I haven't had a chance to repeat the hunt, so I can't confirm anything, I'll have to try again. But the pellet hit HARD!!
Anyway, here's a picture of the ballistic Play Doh test.
