The FBI measures performance after its agents fire bullets into bare 10-percent ordnance gelatin, gelatin covered with heavy winter clothing and gelatin placed behind 20-gauge steel, wallboard, plywood and a laminated car windshield. Thirty shots are fired—five for each portion of the test—and data are input into a calculating spreadsheet that delivers a score from 0 to 500. This all seems very practical and scientific, but it’s not intended as a measure of lethality. Rather, it’s only used as a numerical estimation of terminal-performance reliability.
Mann then describes the scoring system used by the FBI, which looks at things like penetration, expansion, and retained weight. But there may be some problems with the system. Says Mann:
Some claim the test is better at identifying projectiles good at shooting through things as opposed to stopping bad guys. There may be some truth to that, but the FBI believes the ability for a bullet to shoot through common barriers, yet still provide reliable penetration and upset, is paramount for success in a law-enforcement setting. One problem I see with the method is that a difference of only .01 inch in average penetration depth—depending on the depth at which it occurs—can translate to a difference in score of as much as 50 points, or 10 percent.
If you've wondered about the FBI's method to determine what are the best bullets/rounds, this article is a good start.
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