Gel Test Results - 6.8SPC 85gr Barnes TSX Lead Free

That is outstanding.... I am going to use these as one of the rounds for the pig hunt.

Nice looks like a a grate SD round also 0.0 neck length and still 17in penetration

I wouldnt use it as a HD round unless you have no neighbors or you are trying to shoot through cars.....

I use a .45 SIG for HD if i need to pull out my 6.8 i am planning or shooting threw stuff like cars walls and other stuff because the zombies are cumming

and after just looking at federals ammo websight there .45 tach ammo penetrated 16.5in so not to much less then this 6.8

well then it should work great for that.

Looks good, but I prefer the 110 gr TSX. :twisted:

"I wouldnt use it as a HD round unless you have no neighbors or you are trying to shoot through cars....."

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Why? Penetration is in the same range as for FBI spec handgun rounds.

18 inches is considered normal for home defense rounds? I thought you wanted it closer to 13 so you didnt get the over penetration issues?

To be honest Dr, I have never seen gel tests where a 45 ACP hollow point round penetrated 18 inches in gel. I know you have a lot more experience in it then I do. However, I thought the Vmax was the preferred round for HD becuase it gets the penetration we want in tissue without staying together over penetrating and possibly injuring others?

marinesg1012 said:

18 inches is considered normal for home defense rounds? I thought you wanted it closer to 13 so you didnt get the over penetration issues?

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Im guessing that 18 inches doesnt include the fact that you are more than likely gonna hit bone with a Center Mass shot.... which would slow the round down... but thats just a guess

I was looking at the Fedril LE sight and the avrage pen on a fed THS is13 - 16 itches http://le.atk.com/general/irl/woundballistics.aspx

http://le.atk.com/pdf/PortlandWoundBallisticReport1.pdf

http://le.atk.com/pdf/LosAngelesWBW.pdf

marinesg1012 said:

18 inches is considered normal for home defense rounds? I thought you wanted it closer to 13 so you didnt get the over penetration issues?

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For me, I'd rather have overpenetration than not enough. When someone is in your house and has a weapon, you need to stop them immediately. I think it's safer to want to be able to reach the CNS on a large adult male (300 lb +) wearing multiple layers than only being able to reach the CNS on a little Chinaman wearing just a T-shirt but that's just me.

I think you need to consider that the shot may not always be straight on from the front. Think about the required penetration if the only option is a side shot through an arm or through shoulder. What if you shoot the perps flashlight, knife, spare mag, or you have to shot him in the ass through his wallet, through his femurs? Frontal shots are optimal but not always available or practical. Better to have a little left in your pocket if necessary.

I understand the factors in shooting people I thought that is why the FBI set 13 inches as a minimum I thought I had read here and else where that this round wouldn't be the best for HD becuase of the over penetration issues involved. I could be wrong, it happens, I was just wondering

Looking at the gel tests for the 85's I would say they are very close to Federal Tactical 62gr bonded for the .223. In their tests the round penetrated 16 inches on bare gel. I received a copy of ballistics testing by my local ATK distributor completed by several LE agencies. In those tests the 62gr bonded penetrated between 15.5" to 17.5" in bare ballistics gelatin shots. The FBI recommends the 62 gr BSP as the best LE round for the .223. The SSA 85gr TSX performs right there in the envelope with alot more energy. I still use the vmax for swat/hd but the 85gr TSX is a kick ass bullet that could be used for HD.

I guess I was incorrect, seems like you guys all agree it would be a great home defense round.

marinesg1012 said:

I guess I was incorrect, seems like you guys all agree it would be a great home defense round.

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No I think there are a lot of choice with 6.8 for the HD scenario and yours are as good as any. I actually don't have any of the 85gr TSX left and now keep SSA 115 otm enhanced frag combat loads in my HD rifle. I even think the 90gr Varmit loads in CQB HD situation, (less than 40 feet) will get the job done with well placed shots unless the BG is wearing body armor.

It looks like it would stop anyone who broke into your home! How does it compare to the 55gr .223?

TLHelmer said:

It looks like it would stop anyone who broke into your home! How does it compare to the 55gr .223?

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IMHO the only good performing 5.56 loads are the Hornady 5.56 75gr TAP T2 and 77gr offerings from BH and Federal. The 55gr M193 isn't the best 5.56 round by any means. None of the 5.56 can compare to any of the 6.8 rounds for incapacitation purposes.

We've had five officer involved shootings in the last two years where officer's used an AR15 .223 and the 62gr Federal Tactical Bonded soft point. It stopped those suspects instantly and caused some serious damage. Soft points, at least 55gr in weight and above, are very effective terminal performers. I also really like the 64gr Federal Tru non-bonded soft points. I wouldn't trust any fmj in .223 and while everyone talks about the 77gr Mk262 Mod1 it doesn't have the terminal performance of the soft points or the Hornady Tap T1 75gr BTHP. And I agree with gdonley, the 6.8 is superior to the 5.56....but after I've seen what it can do with the right ammo I wouldn't under-estimate the smaller round.