So I finally got around to doing a proper penetration test with 2 of my favourite rounds I have been using in my 375H&H, the Hornady DGX bonded which I have been using on scrub bull hunts with great success and Swift A-frames which I have been using on buffalo hunts with great success. I have been meaning to do this test for a long time and just haven't got around to it but after reading a lot of opinions and also facts on this forum it motivated me to put in the time to do the test this weekend. Now before people start making comments about shooting animals and hitting bone and mud covered hides and different angles etc is very different to shooting a drum of water, I am well aware of this. BUT as far as testing goes I think this is about as fair comparison as you can get, exact same conditions, exact same test media, exact same rifle and barrel length etc
So here are the results!
Test media used was old 20L poison drums filled with water, all drums used were identical and filled to the point of overflowing, the main reason these drums were used is I have access to hundreds off them, it doesn't cost me anything and they a consistent uniform size. Photos below
Test media 20L water drums, 26cm wide (10.24 inches)
Distance 40-45 metres. (No particular reason I picked this distance)
Rifle used was my RSM chambered in 375H&H with a 23" barrel.
Ammo used-
375H&H Factory ammo 300grn Hornady DGX Bonded, advertised muzzle velocity 2530fps from a 24" barrel.
375H&H Factory Norma ammo loaded with 300grn Swift A-frame, advertised muzzle velocity 2559fps, I think Norma also use a 24" barrel for testing but I am not 100% sure.
Results.
Penetration from both loads used in the testing was nearly identical. Both rounds just pierced the back side of the third drum, so basically 3 full drums of penetration. Having said this the A-frame did leave a decent dent in the 4th drum where as the DGX Bonded did not so I am going to give the A-frame an extra inch of penetration.
Penetration.
DGX Bonded - 30.72 inches
Swift A-frame - 31.72 inches
Expansion.
DGX Bonded - 0.71 icnhes
Swift A-frame - 0.67 inches
Retained weight.
DGX Bonded - 254grn (84.5%)
Swift A-frame - 293grm (97.5%)
Now just because I can I also had my 458 Lott with me and had plenty of water drums still in tact so I thought I would throw a 458 round at them to see how it went. The results did surprise me a little.
Again the same variables as above, same water drums, same distance, different barrel length though, Kimber Caprivi with a 24 inch barrel was used.
Ammo used- 458 Lott Factory ammo 500grn Hornady DGX (old DGX, not bonded) advertised muzzle velocity 2300fps from a 24 inch barrel.
Just so you know guys I do have some 458 Lott Hornady bonded DGX ammo on order and I will test it and provide a comparison to the old DGX but for now results below of the old DGX on it's own.
Penetration.
4 full drums, that's 41 inches of penetration! I was very surprised the old DGX managed to do this and to be honest I am quite impressed by this.
Expansion.
Well you tell me, the front part of the bullet is no longer in existence. (photo below)
Retained weight.
417grn (83.5%)
Keen to hear opinions and questions if you have any. Hopefully this is interesting and or helpful to some.
Water drums used.
