9x18 Ammunition Tests

This is the testing results of 9mm defense ammunition. It is not my intention to determine which one ammunition is "best." All I am attempting to do is provide additional information so that YOU can make an informed decision. The most important criteria for selecting a defense ammunition is reliability in YOUR weapon. The next most important thing is your ability to place your shots accurately, so practice practice, practice. Only after you satisfy the first two, does ammunition performance come into play.

9x18 Ammunition Test Chart is optimized for 800 x 600 resolution

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Hollow Point	Velocity fps / st dv FPE Penetration inches / st dv Expansion inches / st dv	Pic
Barnaul 95gr	1075 28.0 243 7.5 0.19 .613 0.02 .
CCI Blazer 90gr	1018 22.1 207 .
Cor Bon 95gr	1135 22.8 272 .
Hornady 95gr	959 31.0 194 .
Master Cartridge 95gr	1002 12.8 212 .
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Full Jacket Velocity fps / st dv FPE Penetration inches / st dv Expansion inches / st dv Pic Wolf 109gr 1015 10.1 249 21.9 0.80 .364 0.00 uniform performance

• 9x18 Chronograph Tests

• A look at the making of ballistic gelatine

Test pistol was an East German Makarov

 

Velocity - Readings are a running average of all shots I have chronographed of the particular brand of ammunition. A running average provides the greatest possible number of readings and averages out the effects of environmental conditions.

FPE - The foot pounds of energy calculated using the advertised weight.
(M x V x V / 450240)

Penetration - Test rounds were fired through two layers of denim into 10% gelatine. Depth is measured in a straight line from point of entry to point of deepest penetration.

Expansion - Recovered rounds were measured at multiple points and then averaged to account for uneven expansion.

These tests were made possible by the generous contributions of many fellow firearms enthusiasts who have my sincere gratitude.

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