Ok fellas, this is for my LE and MIL and curious folks out there. Still waiting for my LE/MIL section approval, so I'll put the question here. Has anyone tested A-Tip bullets through various barriers? I know they're designed for the target scene, and claim great BC's, but I'm looking for the performance through barriers. Such as, through glass, windshields, various woods, various metals. Please chime in, would love to hear thoughts and findings.
Range Report A-Tip Bullets through barriers
- Thread starter btorrey
- Start date
I have not done any testing, but I think that they have fairly thin jackets which would lead me to believe that barrier penetration would not be great. I have had 6.5mm 153gn bullets blow up on the way to a target, no barrier required.
Yes. Shooting in a 1:7 5R barrel at 2980fps, I lost 5 shots out of 50 at a match this summer. Hornady says that the bullets were within spec, but should not be shot at over 290,000 rpm or they may blow up. The 153.5gn Berger hybrids perform just fine under similar conditions.
Wow!! good to know. That is a problem if it was any bullet, but especially one we're paying 80 bucks for 100
I'm not a LEO but if I wanted a barrier round I would use something like a swift Scirroco or Nosler Accubond.
I know that the Hornady AMAX 168 was used in the LE line of ammo and they also used the AMP jackets so wouldn't expect the 30 cal ATIPS to perform a whole lot different.
I know that the Hornady AMAX 168 was used in the LE line of ammo and they also used the AMP jackets so wouldn't expect the 30 cal ATIPS to perform a whole lot different.
^^^^ I appreciate the input. I remember the AMAX 168's and they are good. I haven't tried the accubond but would like to try them too. I'm just curious if the A-Tip can hold up against some of the barriers better than the polymer. However, I've heard the jackets are thin on the A-tip, which in theory would not hold up that well.... So there lies the dilemma
I think the issue with the Swift or Accubond in a LEO role would possibly be a liability of overpenetration and collateral damage and why the AMAX was originally chosen.
At typical 308win velocities they perform fairly well on flesh and bone on the occasions I have shot hogs and deer with them.
The 7mm 190 a tip had the same issues for me.
At this point if an application calls for an important shot I probably wouldn’t be shooting a Hornandy bullet.
While I've seen hunter reports of a 230gr A-Tip shot at Bull Elk at over 800 yards...still with over 2350fps of velocity....hit and devastate...one shot drop....the bullets were still retained inside the animal. The Aluminum tip driven back as a wedge to get maximum diameter and deliver insane energy into the animal....
However...I've shot at under 300 yards and the bullet was almost unscathed when found. Computer monitors, 2 liters, and what not. While I've seen some nice expansion on shots through 4x4 posts and non-AR steel plates.
While in a LEO situation you hopefully will not take a shot over 70 yards...and in that instance...I don't think much except for some AR500 plate is going to stop and upset a 230gr A-Tip moving at 2900fps. Mater of fact...I don't dare shoot AR-500 plates at 300yds and less because I break the systems used to hold the plates.
But from a military and LEO budgetary stand point....they are way too expensive. There are other choices that are most likely better for the situation and much more cost effective.
Plus...if the Military decided it wanted to shoot A-Tips....they'd buy a bazillion at one time...and Hornaday couldn't keep up...and I wouldn't see another A-Tip on the civilian market to shoot comps with for years to come....so... BOOO!!!! No!!! Go grab a Berger
However...I've shot at under 300 yards and the bullet was almost unscathed when found. Computer monitors, 2 liters, and what not. While I've seen some nice expansion on shots through 4x4 posts and non-AR steel plates.
While in a LEO situation you hopefully will not take a shot over 70 yards...and in that instance...I don't think much except for some AR500 plate is going to stop and upset a 230gr A-Tip moving at 2900fps. Mater of fact...I don't dare shoot AR-500 plates at 300yds and less because I break the systems used to hold the plates.
But from a military and LEO budgetary stand point....they are way too expensive. There are other choices that are most likely better for the situation and much more cost effective.
Plus...if the Military decided it wanted to shoot A-Tips....they'd buy a bazillion at one time...and Hornaday couldn't keep up...and I wouldn't see another A-Tip on the civilian market to shoot comps with for years to come....so... BOOO!!!! No!!! Go grab a Berger
Same same problem with 153 A-Tip. I have 300 left over too. 150SMK hasn't had any problems.
All match bullets perform relatively poorly through barriers. You can think of them as heavy varmint bullets. Thin jackets just don't hold up. Glass is especially tough on bullets and I suspect you'll get extremely limited penetration following a glass shot. The aluminum tip isn't going to help much in that regard.
Purpose built barrier bullets (non FMJ/AP) have thick jackets with specific internal/external features to help them survive the barrier, retain solid mass, and appropriately penetrate whatever was behind the barrier. Bonding, cannelures, core retention geometry, etc... Copper solids like Barnes or Hornady GMX are also options that hold together and penetrate pretty deep.
@Cascade Hemi That's interesting-- guy I know with a 6.5 PRC had about the same failure rate with 150 SMK's as he did 147's. When hot it would also pop 140 Bergers and 140 ELD's (lower rate of failure than the heavies).
Purpose built barrier bullets (non FMJ/AP) have thick jackets with specific internal/external features to help them survive the barrier, retain solid mass, and appropriately penetrate whatever was behind the barrier. Bonding, cannelures, core retention geometry, etc... Copper solids like Barnes or Hornady GMX are also options that hold together and penetrate pretty deep.
@Cascade Hemi That's interesting-- guy I know with a 6.5 PRC had about the same failure rate with 150 SMK's as he did 147's. When hot it would also pop 140 Bergers and 140 ELD's (lower rate of failure than the heavies).
I've heard the same about the 150 SMK too. All I can say is the 153 A-Tips started coming apart but 150 SMK out of the same rifle are fine. I was a little worried making the switch but haven't had any problems since.
Great points!! Thanks for the feedback. Although I don't have A-tips yet, I have a bunch of different kinds of bullets for my 6.5. Planning on doing my own barrier test soon, I'll post the results.
Not sure if would help you, but after Hornady evaluated the bullets and told me it was my fault for shooting them in a 1:7 twist PRC., they did agree to exchange them for 135gn bullets, which I shoot out of my 260 Rem without a problem (8 twist and slower fps).
