Testing ammo?

[The deerslayer]

What would be the best way to test the ammo for the amount of penetration I would get on game such as whitetails and black bear?

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

Someone has to say it:

The best way to test for penetration on Deer and Black Bear would be to shoot some Deer and Black bear with the ammo.

Sorry about that. About the easiest way to do some sort of test is with a box full of wet newspaper. You might find some large cow leg bones to put in for the black bear test.

Start out by testing some factory ammo that has a known penetration reputation. Then try yours. This test won't give you perfect results but should be close enough to get you started.

[leverfan]

Newspaper tests will at least give you a heads-up about any problems.  True, you only learn what the bullet does in wet newsprint, but it's better than experimenting on animals, and then finding out that your chosen bullet is too fragile, or tumbles, or doesn't give the expansion you want.  

I test in plain, wet newspaper.  No chunks of wood, no bones, no extras, because you can't accurately reproduce that from one test to the next.  Fully saturate the newspaper, overnight if you can, and try shooting at different distances.  Bullets that are stable, predictable, and straight-penetrating at close range might fail to expand, or might tumble, at longer ranges.  Bullets that do great at long range might come apart for close shots.

The Prof's advice, that you compare to ammo of known ability, is excellent.  It will give you a baseline for your tests, and let you know how to gauge your test results.  Just remember to take the coupon books and slick ads out of your Sunday papers, and tv guides can bring a bullet to a sudden halt, too. :-D

[The deerslayer]

Ok thanks for the help. I just got $90 worth of ammo (4 boxes of 20) In different brands to see which I'm going to use for hunting. One more thing how much paper will I need?

[rockbilly]

deerslayer, there is so much data out there today I wouldn't worry about doing any "testing."  You should be able to find information on the caliber, type of gun and types of game you plan to hunt.  Check the data, get the ammo recommended and practice, practice, practice.  Newspaper, clay or several other products may give you an idea how the gun performs, but remember many things can, and do, effect a clean kill.

Happy hunting.

[leverfan]

deerslayer, there is so much data out there today I wouldn't worry about doing any "testing."

My testing is done for two reasons.  First, I've been known to write about my findings.  Bullet penetration tests from different cartridges, bullet weights, and muzzle velocities can be interesting to lots of folks.  

Second, some bullets don't do what the manufacturer claims, or they don't do it in your cartridge.  Believing the company ads and gun mag hype may be okay for more trusting souls, but I'll continue to indulge in my suspicious ways.  For instance, my tests showed that the Nosler .264", 140 grain Partition won't expand evenly at ranges over 150 or 200 yards when muzzle velocity is in the 2700 fps range, or less.  If you hunt with a 6.5x55, 6.5x57, or a 260 Remington, it's good to know that this bullet may tumble and fail to penetrate very deep after impact.  There are plenty of others that work better in this cartridge.    

Bullet performance is even more critical when handgun hunting.  There isn't much in the way of a margin for error.  Bullets designed for self defense may be terrible for black bear hunting.    If deerslayer is using factory ammo with proper bullet weights and strong designs, and he knows what sane ranges are, things will work out.

Deerslayer, you haven't mentioned the cartridge, bullet weight, or bullet design, so I can't tell you how much paper you need.  Hard cast bullets fired from magnum cartridges penetrate through feet of wet paper, not inches.  Most expanding designs fired from common handguns stop in less than 16 inches, often much less.  Deer don't require a super sturdy bullet, if you pick your shots with patience.  What are you going to be hunting with?

In factory loads, for black bear, I'd lean towards Federal Cast Cor, or similar loads from Buffalo Bore or Corbon.  If you're shooting one of these, don't bother testing, you'll be making holes that are plenty deep.  Heavy for caliber expanding bullets designed for hunting are available in factory ammo these days, and those would be pretty good, too.

[The deerslayer]

The gun is a 41 mag. I got 210 and 240 grain hollow points and 250 and 265 cast.

[Redhawk1]

The gun is a 41 mag. I got 210 and 240 grain hollow points and 250 and 265 cast.

If you are looking for penetration, the hard cast bullets are the best in my opinion. Hollow points are good for expansion and large wound cavities, but not good on hard bone. Also a soft point bullet is better than a hollow point.  

[leverfan]

The gun is a 41 mag. I got 210 and 240 grain hollow points and 250 and 265 cast.

Not all 41s are able to stabalize those 240-265 grain bullets you have, do to the common rates of twist being designed for bullet of 220 grains or less.  If they stay stable in air out to a paper target, they may not be stable in flesh (or wet newspaper).  

If your gun does keep them flying straight, and penetrating straight, those are all good bullets.  The 210 grain would be plenty for deer, but if one of those hard cast loads works for you, it would be a great all-around, whatever you've got a tag for kind of load.

[The deerslayer]

Thanks for the help. Now Im just going to have to wait until the ammo comes in.