Ballistic Research Data

The FBI Ballistic Research Facility at Quantico, VA will provide ballistic data to AGENCIES with a request on letterhead signed by an AGENCY member of the rank of Sergeant or above. It is a wealth of info on a CD and includes some other freebies like Bomb blast data analysis, shotgun wounding effectivness, sniper targets, etc. (At least it did when I got mine a few years ago while researching for the Patrol Rifle course I wrote which was adopted as TCLEOSE Course 3222)

It is good stuff and will assist in making decisions regarding ammunition selection for Departments.

Because I'm a "believe it when I see it" type, I duplicated many of the protocals using calibrated ballistic gel and found the FBI results to be accurate.

Make sure what you use/carry will give adequate penetration and not disintegrate upon impact. Bullets do funny things when they make contact with anything that interupts the flight path, and the laws of physics apply. Since bullets are weighted more heavily at the base, and mass goes forward upon impact, they tend to tumble (which is usually where the jacket starts to separate on non-bonded projectiles).

Make sure your bullets will penetrate expected intermediate barriers like car doors, glass, etc.

If the FBI has not tested the ammo you use(and that is not likely...the data book is extensive!) they will test your ammo if you make the arrangements with them.

The most critical part of bullet performance is shot placement! Put effective hits on the threat until the threat is eliminated. Sights, press, re-set, sights, press, re-set, and so on until the threat is over, you have your final sight picture, and someone taps you on the shoulder and shows you a badge. Don't forget to scan 360 for other threats!

Stay safe, train hard