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Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 4:35 pm
by USBP379
This morning I loaded everything up and headed for the hills to try out the new Hornady 190gr Sub-X 300BLK in organic ballistic gel. I wanted to try the new bullet through FBI spec clothing as well as through auto glass.

I used VYSE gel that was calibrated with a BB traveling 581fps. The BB penetrated right where it was supposed to so I didn't take any additional BB gun shots.

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The ammo used was actually the TAP version of the new Sub-X load. But I called Hornday Customer Service and the fellow I spoke with told me the TAP load is the same as the civilian stuff.

Now before I get too far I want to warn you that my windshield test probably isn't going to be up to FBI standard. I used a windshield from the junk yard and leaned it back at a 45° angle but didn't turn it at 15° as is called for. The windshield was already curved across its face so I just shot it straight on as best as I could. Was I shooting at 15 degrees? I'm not sure.

Also, given the height of the windshield and the little table I had to set my gel on, I wasn't able to chronograph the windshield shots. I did chronograph the shots through clothing however. More on that in just a minute.

I fired two rounds through auto glass at the block that was covered with layer of cotton t-shirt as well as cotton shirt--FBI light clothing. The gel and clothing layer was set 18" back from the target area of the glass. One bullet was recovered without issue and stayed in the block. The other went low and exited out the bottom corner of the block. It was not recovered.

Here is the bullet recovered from the glass test. It mushroomed well but lost about 30 grains of weight. Penetration was 11.75 inches.

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Next up were two rounds through denim covered by insulation and two layers of cotton--the FBI heavy clothing spec. I did chronograph the shots through clothing but only was able to capture velocity for one bullet. That reading was 1,096 fps.

One bullet through clothing sort of tore rather than mushroomed. It lost about 30 grains of weight and penetrated to 17.25 inches.

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The other bullet through clothing shed most of its nose and lost quite a bit of weight. As a result the penetration was only 14 inches.

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Here are both bullets recovered from the clothing test. The bullet that shed the most weight is on the bottom.

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Misc crap from the wound tracks.

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The bullet that shed its nose has a small "finger" on one side. Not counting that little wing, the bullet has a diameter of .331 inch.

The bullet that penetrated the deepest and retained more weight is .529" at its widest.

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And, finally, I tried to chrono an additional four rounds to get at least some sense of the average velocities. I only caught one additional reading. That was 1,077 fps.

The rifle used was a Ruger SR556TD. 1X7 twist 16" barrel with my AAC 762-SDN-6 attached. Distance from muzzle to target was 10ft.

Overall, a slightly frustrating experiment. I am disappointed with my lack of chronograph data. Also, I wish I'd have been able to recover that other bullet from the glass test. Maybe I'll try the test again next weeekend.

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:05 pm
by ozleux
Great work. A little more detailed than what I did. I did get a 5 shot group avg 1066/ es 32/ sd 12. 16" Rem 700 YHM ult-30.

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:31 pm
by rebel
This is what I like seeing folks doing, Damn good job of testing!

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:56 pm
by bearcatrp
Thanks for all the hard work showing us this valuable information. My next trip out, will set my labradar correct and see how they zero at 50 yards. Still mad I wasted 5 rounds but at least I know how they shoot out of my 16 and 10 inch barrel AR’s. I ordered 10 boxes and see midway sold out from others who wanted this ammo. I asked the guy at Hornady when they will sell just the bullets for us reloaders. Said at least 2 years.

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:50 am
by plant.one
nice work! great results - and i totally didnt expect it to hold up on the glass penetration like that. thats impressive to say the least.

looks like hornady might have really gotten it right with this bullet

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:35 am
by gds
Nice :mrgreen:

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:42 am
by riude
Any ideas how it acts when shot directly to gel?
How deep bullet will travel before it begins to mushroom/lose pedals?

Just thinking how this would work as sub sonic varmint bullet, on small varmints soft tissue.

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:38 am
by USBP379
riude wrote:Any ideas how it acts when shot directly to gel?
How deep bullet will travel before it begins to mushroom/lose pedals?

Just thinking how this would work as sub sonic varmint bullet, on small varmints soft tissue.
Here's some info on bare gel:

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle ... -sub-x-tap

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:03 am
by ozleux
riude wrote:Any ideas how it acts when shot directly to gel?
How deep bullet will travel before it begins to mushroom/lose pedals?

Just thinking how this would work as sub sonic varmint bullet, on small varmints soft tissue.
viewtopic.php?f=140&t=101733

The faster of the two is directly into uncovered gel. Penetration was 14" @ 1085 fps.

Re: Hornady 300BLK 190gr Sub-X in Gel

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:12 pm
by ThreeHundredBlackout
If one of you guys have the ammo and gel It would be good information to know how the bullet performs at 100, 200 and 300 yards in gel being interrested in its possible performance for hunting.

Im still working on getting some gel, otherwise i would just do it myself.

I didnt expect this much info this soon about the round , Awesome job guys !