I performed this jug test because I wanted to test factory ammo for a .243 Winchester. The rifle used for the test was a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight with a 22" barrell and a VXI 3x9x50 scope. I have been doing all of my hunting (antelope and deer) with Hornady 95 Grain SST's in Superformance. My brother lives in Bend and I recently visited the Nosler store and picked up a box of Nosler Trophy Grade 85 Grain Partitions. The only thing I have shot with these so far has been a Porcupine (drt). I wanted to test the 85 grain bullet out before deer hunting this fas as I was kind of skeptical of the weight of the 85 Grain bullet for deer. I also had some Winchester 100 Grain Power Points on hand so I threw them into the mix. The Hornady's list the muzzle velocity at 3,185 and the Nosler's list their muzzle velocity at 3,250 although I am guessing that is in a 24" barrell. I do not know what the Winchester's advertised velocity is but I am guessing that it is in the 2950 range.
I set up the jug test at about 10 yards. The results are as follows:
Hornady - Penetrated 3 jugs and the jacket and core were separated and both were found in the 3rd jug. The first two jugs were completely blown apart but there was a smaller hole in the third and it did not move off the table. Final weight was 40.8 Grains or 42.9% of original.
Nosler - The first 4 jugs were blown completely off the table and and bullet was found in the 5th jug intact. FInal weight was 58.8 grains or 69.2% of original.
Winchester - The first 3 jugs were blown apart, the 4th had a clean hole through it and the bullet dented and made a small hole in the 5th jug but the bullet was laying on the table and had not penetrated the 5th jug. Final weight was 59.6 grains or 59.6% of original. The jacket and core were completely separated as well like the Hornady.
This test would probably have been better served at 100 yards that at muzzle velocity, however it is pretty interesting that the SST blew apart. I hate to admit this on a Nosler forum (Sorry Nosler), but I have been a pretty loyal Hornady customer...until now. I am definitely going to do so more jug tests with Accubonds in 243 as well as in 270 and will post more results later. See for yourself, but the results are in the data and the pictures. Nice work Nosler!
I set up the jug test at about 10 yards. The results are as follows:
Hornady - Penetrated 3 jugs and the jacket and core were separated and both were found in the 3rd jug. The first two jugs were completely blown apart but there was a smaller hole in the third and it did not move off the table. Final weight was 40.8 Grains or 42.9% of original.
Nosler - The first 4 jugs were blown completely off the table and and bullet was found in the 5th jug intact. FInal weight was 58.8 grains or 69.2% of original.
Winchester - The first 3 jugs were blown apart, the 4th had a clean hole through it and the bullet dented and made a small hole in the 5th jug but the bullet was laying on the table and had not penetrated the 5th jug. Final weight was 59.6 grains or 59.6% of original. The jacket and core were completely separated as well like the Hornady.
This test would probably have been better served at 100 yards that at muzzle velocity, however it is pretty interesting that the SST blew apart. I hate to admit this on a Nosler forum (Sorry Nosler), but I have been a pretty loyal Hornady customer...until now. I am definitely going to do so more jug tests with Accubonds in 243 as well as in 270 and will post more results later. See for yourself, but the results are in the data and the pictures. Nice work Nosler!
