Silver Bear 7.62x39 125gr Soft Point Test

General Firearms Terminal Ballistic Information
1

Finished up the testing of the Silver Bear 7.62x39 125gr soft point round. Lots of folks say Russian soft point rounds don’t expand; well I figured I’d test them to see if that’s the case. Here are the conditions and results.

Test conditions:

-16’’ SGL21
-Test rounds fired from 15 feet
-“FBI spec” (Their term, not mine…) Clear Ballistics gel block

Chrono Data:

-2403 feet per second
-1601 foot pounds of energy

Results:

-Expansion started at 1’’ mark
-Pretty nasty wound track
-Steel jacket separated from the core
-20.5’’ penetration

Here’s the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, both shots into the gel, and a discussion of the results:

Silver Bear Soft Point HD Video Link

2

From DocGKR, I remember him saying that this clear ballistics gel is not comparable to the real one, particularly at rifle velocities…

3

Probably not perfect but since all of his tests are done in the same medium it still provides a great comparison. Terminal ballistics is not a perfect science.

Thanks for the great tests! Subbed on YouTube.

4

Thank you.

I’m sure they’re not the same but my penetration/expansion numbers always seem pretty close to what real labs get. The big difference I’ve seen is the perminant wound cavity; they’re quite different between the two media types.

5

I haven’t heard any adequate explanation as to why the clear gel would be less accurate and I haven’t seen anyone point to instances where it yields dramatically different results in a statistically relevant test. You and I got significantly different penetration results with the 7.62x39mm SST but we each only tested one shot, my tests aren’t exactly scientific either, and the other numbers in our tests have been relatively consistent with each other.

I think that your tests are perfectly adequate for the purpose: to entertain and provide food for thought for the layman. If a person is selecting duty ammo for his department, he shouldn’t be looking at YouTube tests from guys like you and I.

I also think when it comes to 7.62x39mm and other commie cartridges and Russian loads for them, the really important information is whether that HP or SP will expand or fragment in the first place and your tests give us that information. I would feel perfectly comfortable loading my AK with this ammo. Of course AKs belong in trash can, anyway. :wink: