Mountainman56 said:
I’m planning a roundball penetration test in the next couple weeks. I intend to test a .45, a .50 and a .54 calibre. Each one will be fired from a 32” barrel. I’d like to try a couple more calibres as well but I can’t convince my bride I need two more rifles right away. My idea is to make a container that I will fill with newspapers and water. The end I shoot through will be cardboard that I can replace each shot. I think this should give a pretty good idea on the difference in penetration. What do y’all think?
Also do you think I should go for similar velocity (I do have a chronograph) or the same powder charge, say 80 grains in each?
What range would be most representative of the average distance most people shoot?
Unless the water content is the same for every shot the results will not be valid. When shooting wet phone books/newsprint you only have a couple of minutes before the water content changes enough to vary the results. So I used to shoot about 4 shots a few inches apart in a short time
Better way is to use 10% gelatine but this is supposed to be calibrated and shot at a specific temp to be "standard" and it takes a lot of gelatine to make a block to shoot and its only good for one shot. To me its not worth the trouble and cost.
Another way is a baffle board made of 1/2 plywood spaced maybe 2" apart. It will give relative penetration of various loads. If 24" square its large enough to shoo at 200 yards.
RB penetration in deer is usually about 30" at velocitys over 1300-1400 if no large bones are broken.
In my testing years ago with 1/2" plywood baffle boards I found that a 50 caliber rifle ball will shoot through a deer's chest at 200 yards on broadside shots at least to the far side hide if not full penetration. This based on comparing the 25 yard penetration of a FL pistol I had shot a deer and an Antelope with. The pistol at 800 fps penetrated 4 boards. I wrote it up for the Buckskin report years ago, to many years ago I think :haha:
Its a fun project. I had read that the paper needed to be set in place, (I used a long cardboard box with a plastic garbage bag in it) stack the paper in so it is neither loose or tight then fill the bag with water and let soak. Check in an hour or two to make sure there is enough water. Haul to the range the
next day and place to shoot (or you can do it all in place if you live someplace where you can shoot filling the bag with a garden hose.). Cut a lower corner of the bag and let drain. Shoot when the water flow slows to the point that there is no standing water in the bag. Standing water will overly expand the projectiles and/or change the penetration. I have never done wet paper tests with a RB that I recall unless it was a percussion revolver.
Dan
