I was back up at the farm this week and resumed my "research", shooting into the old styrofoam blocks. I'm afraid it was just too darn hot for me to do all that I had planned but I did manage to make a comparison of sorts between molycoated and uncoated solids and contain the Barnes Super Solids to get a penetration reading.

As you may recall, the best penetrators of the 12 foot long styrofoam blocks were the .375 & .416 Hornady solids (molycoated) giving approximately 10 feet. Also at that time, the Barnes .375 & .416 solids exited out the side at about the 7 foot mark.

This time, the same .375 & .416 Hornady solids, but without molycoating, penetrated 8 to 8.5 feet, a good bit less than in molycoated form at the earlier session. I find this interesting as I had anticipated some reduction.

The Barnes .375/300 gr. (molycoated)and the .416/400 gr. (XLC coated)solids penetrated 9ft. and 8ft. 8 inches, respectively. The Barnes .505/600 gr. solid (molycoated) penetrated to 7.5 feet, further than it had in the first session but close enough to feel good about the "repeatability" of this medium (?). Once, again, I say there's nothing scientific about this "fun" but I am still thinking that coated bullets may enhance penetration.

[ 08-03-2002, 07:44: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

I guess ya ain't got access to a 50 cal?

But, ya gotta get a digital camera, if you do experiments.
rob the guy who gone through well over 6500 pics in less than year wit dig camera

Molybdenum disulfide may have an effect with solids (in foam), but surely not softs.

I applaud your effort for cutting through all the foam to be able to measure the penetration.

I think the experiments show whatever "I" want them to, like the opinion I have formed that Hornady solids should penetrate better than Barnes.

Will

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Will:
Hi Will,

They do penetrate better than the Barnes solids.

470 Mbogo

Will,
The sawing went a whole lot faster the second time around, as I had some idea of where to start.

I agree that any difference in penetration in favor of molycoated softs would be less dramatic than seen with solids but I suspect they may give a bit more initial penetration due to a delay in bullet upset (??). Sounds like something I'd like to try next time up.

Again, if anyone would like me to load and test their pet bullet in this particular medium, I'd be happy to do so. I have rifles available in .338, .375, .350, .416, .458 & .505. Email me and I'll give you my mailing address.

Why not use a cheap metal detector to keep track of the bullets location?

Good idea, bigr! I'd like mine mounted in a portable drill with a 4" hole saw bit about a foot long!