I use to design and swage bullets for sale. I also designed and made bonded core bullets. Here's how i tested a lot of bullets for toughness with out shooting them. Keep in mind i wanted bullets that expanded well, but would NOT break up or loose there jackets on bone or in other tough conditions. Once a bullet looses it's jacket, for the most part penetration for that bullet is over!

Take a small block of wood, drill a bullet size hole in it not quite as deep as the bullet you want to test, is long. Take the bullet and push it point first into the hole. Now, take a hack saw and saw through the center of the buller length wise.

Now take two pairs of pliars, and twist one half of the bullet from each end. If the core comes out of the jacket, then that brand/style of bullet will loose it's core when it hits bone or other tough conditions!! They can pour hot lead into those jackets all day long, but that doesn't mean it will actually "bond" to the jacket!!!!

Here's something else. Guilding metal jackets are too briddle to make good bonded bullets out of. I had to have a spl. jacket material made from copper to my specs., for the bonding to work right, and not have the jacket break up!!

All of this does NOT mean the bullets aren't good for average conditions, but just don't expect that bullet to be a premium bullet for tough conditions!!!

Drilling Man