Remember This The Next Time Some Noodnick Goes Into A Rant About Penetration...

.32 ACP Winchester 60gr Silvertip JHPProduct Number: X32ASHP, Lot Number: 54PC90

Test Weapon: Beretta 3032 Tomcat, 2.4" bbl


Denim Covered Gelatin
Gelatin Calibration: 8.0cm @ 610 fps
Gelatin Calibration: 9.9cm @ 609 fps

Average Penetration: 14.5 "
Average Expansion: .32

The lowly .32 passes the much vaunted FBI standard for penetration in 10% gelatin. And then some. What it doesn't do is make a big enough hole to be considered a manstopper. Though the gun rags and the know-it-alls who haven't shot anything more dangerous than a gerbil will have you believe it to be rocket science, the fact of the matter is this: Any bullet weighing in at 135 grains* and above (.357 magnum and jacked-up 10 mm rounds excluded because hyper handgun velocity is another tale) that penetrates 12 inches or more, and opens to .70 inches or more, is likely to cause an immediate cessation of hostilites if put in the right place. This is not to suggest immediate lethality. It is to declare the probability of a fight-stopper in an adult male not under the influence of various pharmeceuticals.

Also, jagged-edged ordnance doesn't merely create a temporary wound cavity, but tends to destroy otherwise elastic tissue rather than just moving it aside.

There are many such rounds in existance, and all one need do is practice with the ones that perform, with reasonable accuracy, in his weapon. Then practice some more.

*147 grain 9 mm bullets excluded. Because they don't work. Not unless you crank them up to 1400 fps or so, but no such 9 mm beastie exists.