Lehigh Spear -- Another Look
 

Grouse45 provided these 247 grain bullets. The distance between rifle, and horse was 25 yard. The powder charge was 80 grain Blackhorn. The bullet speed at the front of the horse was clocked at 1568 fps .
















The bullet was caught by the fifth jug. The first two jugs were toast. The third jug had a dent, maybe made by a petal. The third, and fourth jugs were holed. There was a petal in what was left of the second jug, and also a petal was on the ground right by the second jug. The sixth (last) jug was undamaged.




































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Thanks Ron, Dave really appreciates your efforts in testing any of his bullets.

so what was the difference? No plywood used this time?

Just more powder

Keep them coming! ☺















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Right there in front is the plywood with the carpet glued to it.



















Out front there is the plywood about 0.15 second after impact.































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Now that looks like the bullet performed exactly as it was designed to do - petals open up and tear loose from the base causing other wound channels while the base continues forward for deeper penetration.
Not sure what the price of these bullets will be but I'm sure that it will be right up there if not exceeding the price of other premium bullets.

Price is a good question. I never asked, but I think the tip would ad 40 to 50 cents. Anyone shooting Deer out to 200 yards doesn’t need the tip I assure you that.

Then why use it would be my next question? If the tip didn't do its job by assisting in the expansion when a lighter load was used wouldn't the velocity be similar out past the 200 yard mark? I don't know what the fps would be out there. Anyone run the ballistics?

Now don't get me wrong, its an interesting concept - but if it doesn't work what's the point (no pun intended)?

I just used the Hornady ballistic calculator and came up with these figures using a MV of 1570 and a BC of .260 and 100 yard zero:
distance fps* eng* traj*
100 1345 990 0
150 1250 855 -6
200 1170 750 -18
250 1100 665 -36
300 1050 600 -61
350 1000 550 -94

*rounded off for simplicity

Just too bad Ron didn't get the fps from the 50 gr load (or I didn't see it posted). I know 80 gr isn't a hot load but at least it shows, at least to me with the 80 gr charge I wouldn't feel comfortable shooting past 225 yards at game.

Just for comparison using a 300 gr .429" Hornady XTP you will get almost identical drop (only 3" difference at 350 yards) but hitting with 18% more energy (550 vs 650 ftlb)