.32acp Ammunition Tests

This is the testing results of .32acp defense ammunition. Full metal jacket rounds were included in the testing because they may be a better choice in small caliber handguns. 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.

Exotic Velocity fps / st dv FPE Penetration inches / st dv Expansion inches / st dv Weight grains / st dv Pic Glaser Blue 55gr .974 oal 1161 34.64 165 5.9 0.46 .650 0.15 51.7 4..05 expansion is actually area of dispersion 2/3 fully fragmented, 1/3 partially fragmented click here pic will open in a new window Magsafe 36gr .900 oal 1423 10.89 162 6.9 0.78 .439 0.04 32.6 2.19 expansion is actually area of dispersion 2/3 did NOT fragment, 1/3 partially fragmented RBCD 37gr .926 oal 1434 13.06 169 11.4 2.64 .361 0.03 36.0 0.90 expansion is actually area of dispersion 1/3 did not fragment, dispersion includes jacket

Hollow Point Velocity fps / st dv FPE Penetration inches / st dv Expansion inches / st dv Weight grains / st dv Pic Cor Bon 60gr .916 oal 1008 16.09 135 8.2 0.80 .435 0.02 60.0 0.05 All shots expanded Cor Bon increased OAL, .916 is the most recently tested This did not significantly change performance Federal Hydra Shok 65gr .908 oal 824 5.11 98 10.1 0.26 .373 0.03 65.4 0.26 2/3 expanded, 1/3 partially expanded Fiocchi 60gr .922 oal 968 17.40 125 13.3 0.46 .314 0.01 60.0 0.05 very little expansion, ends appear crushed Hornady 60gr .908 oal 812 29.10 88 11.8 0.16 .308 0.00 59.9 0.09 no rounds expanded MagTech 71gr .961 oal 788 13.39 98 11.9 1.07 .314 0.01 70.5 0.24 2/3 did not expand, 1/3 very little expansion Miwall 85gr .926 oal 748 10.44 106 13.5 0.31 .310 0.00 85.4 0.12 no expansion, all rounds ended up facing back toward shooter Personal Protection System 40gr .961 oal 1028 75.26 94 11.5 1.68 .310 0.00 46.3 1.10 no rounds expanded Speer Gold Dot 60gr .900 oal 790 25.62 83 9.7 0.40 .420 0.06 59.9 0.05 2/3 expanded, 1/3 partially expanded all rounds ended up facing back toward shooter Winchester Silvertip 60gr .908 oal 855 19.69 97 8.5 1.43 .386 0.60 59.8 0.16 1/3 expanded, 1/2 partially expanded, 1/6 did not expand

Full Jacket Velocity fps / st dv FPE Penetration inches / st dv Expansion inches / st dv Weight grains / st dv Pic Aguila 71gr .968 oal 816 3.30 105 14.8 0.66 .308 0.00 71.7 0.45 uniform performance CCI Blazer 71gr .965 oal 751 5.44 89 13.9 0.08 .307 0.00 70.9 0.08 uniform performance Fabrique National 71gr .968 oal 787 16.64 98 14.4 .82 .307 0.00 71.0 0.00 uniform performance Fiocchi 73gr .973 oal 859 21.17 120 15.0 0.09 .306 0.00 73.4 0.12 uniform performance Geco 73gr .976 oal 947 19.04 145 14.2 0.22 .306 0.00 73.3 0.09 uniform performance MagTech 71gr .962 oal 799 10.66 101 14.0 1.11 .306 0.00 70.7 0.12 uniform performance Remington 71gr .970 oal 764 21.58 92 14.2 0.24 .308 0.00 70.7 0.08 uniform performance Sellier & Bellot 73gr .970 oal 912 33.45 135 13.6 0.68 .306 0.00 73.1 0.05 uniform performance Winchester 71gr .974 oal 786 14.86 97 15.0 0.70 .308 0.00 70.8 0.09 uniform performance

• .32acp Chronograph Tests

• Analysis Spreadsheet

• A look at the making of ballistic gelatine

Test pistol was a Kel-Tec P32 2.7 inch barrel

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.

Weight - Recovered rounds were rinsed, all denim removed, then allowed to dry before weighing.

OAL - Over all length is listed because some shorter rounds can shift inside the magazine and become "rim locked".

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