[wilsoncqb1911]

I'm specifically thinking of the Corbon loaded Barnes pistol bullets.

Are they all that they're cracked up to be? The next best thing since sliced bread? There was a lot of hype and excitement. But are they a good carry load?

I'll admit I bought into all of it -- everything I read was just praising it so much. I bought several boxes in every caliber I own -- .38 special, 9mm, .45, 10mm, .223... I think that covers it.

Is this stuff going to stand the test of time?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I am extremely impressed with the DPX loads I've tried: 380 ACP, 38 Special +P, 38 Super, 357 Magnum, 9mm, 44 Special, 45 Colt, 45 Auto and 45 Auto Rim.

In 380, it is my understanding that the bullet has been quietly tweaked to offer a bit more penetration than the original early runs of the load and the 38 Special was increased from a standard pressure to a +P load to attain the velocity necessary to insure stability in flight from the snub guns envisioned to be shooting them.

The 357 load is a mid-power load, one that is very easy to control in the smaller magnum snubs while still delivering adequate penetration and almost guaranteed expansion.

If they might be of use, here are some observations on these loads:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%209mm%20115.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2038%20Special%20Ammo.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%20.45%20ACP.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%20160%20gr%20DPX.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Bersa%20Thunder.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%20357%20Magnum%20125%20gr%20DPX%20Ammo.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2045%20AR%20DPX%20Ammo%20Test.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2044%20Special%20DPX%20Report.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2045%20Colt%20DPX%20Test.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2038%20Super%20Ammo%20Tests.htm

Best.

 

[degatesjr]

More, please.

I don't know what you guys are talking about. These are factory loads? Or for reloaders only.

I'll check the websites Steve Camp has provided, but specific and personal is always better.

Much thanks.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. It is commercial ammuntion but it definitely IS expensive.

www.corbon.com

Best.

PS: The links listed are to my site and articles I wrote after personally testing the ammo from my pistols.

 

[elb]

degatesjr,

Corbon is a company that makes ammo of several different types, their latest line being DPX (for deep penetration). It is a solid copper Barnes X bullet loaded into their cartridges.

You can type in www.corbon.com but you end up here http://www.dakotaammo.net/.

DPX's claim to fame (so it seems to me) is that the bullet is reported to reliably expands, even after passing thru barriers that thwart other hollow point bullets.

I say "is reported" because I myself have not tested it for terminal ballistics, but several sources I respect have, among them of course Mr. Camp, who replied above.

Oldgranpa, who posts on this site and moderates this section, also has some DPX testing over at the usrange.org site. (He may have some threads here on it too, I don't remember.)

John Farnam, firearms instructor who I have taken training from, is very impressed with it, and says he carries it in all his guns, pistols and rifles both.

Here's a couple of his reports from his website (defense-training.com)

- on gelatin testing of DPX and other ammo in pistols, and shooting thru clothing (including leather jackets):

http://defense-training.com/quips/2006/10Apr06.html

- on gelatin-testing with pistol and rifle DPX (and other types of pistol ammo), thru cloth/leather and simulated car door:

http://defense-training.com/quips/30May07.html

Also, at Marshall's site, http://www.stoppingpower.net/, you can search for DPX tests.

As far as actual self-defense shootings go, I have heard of only one or two documented ones, but don't have a link to them.

This should keep you busy for awhile!

elb

 

[Guest]

There's an article (a column, actually) in the current issue of Handguns magazine by well-known cop and LE firearms trainer Dave Spaulding on his evaluation of the DPX ammo, including terminal ballistic tests through barriers into simulated tissue.

 

[wilsoncqb1911]

There's an article (a column, actually) in the current issue of Handguns magazine by well-known cop and LE firearms trainer Dave Spaulding on his evaluation of the DPX ammo, including terminal ballistic tests through barriers into simulated tissue.

Don't leave us hanging

! Was the article positive or negative with regards to DPX?

 

[Guest]

If it is in a magazine it's gonna be positive, No gun or ammo that buys advertising is ever gonna get a bad review in a magazine.

 

[Guest]

[quote:9v5q6jgk]
There's an article (a column, actually) in the current issue of Handguns magazine by well-known cop and LE firearms trainer Dave Spaulding on his evaluation of the DPX ammo, including terminal ballistic tests through barriers into simulated tissue.

Don't leave us hanging

! Was the article positive or negative with regards to DPX?[/quote:9v5q6jgk]
Expansion was very good to excellent (acorrding to the photos of such) with virtually no bullet weight loss, which is supposedly the great advantage of a whole-copper bullet; no two types of metal to separate and be lost penetrating the barriers or target. There was virtually no "petal" loss from the bullets, as I recall.

Of course, it can be proven that pigs can fly, but Dave Spaulding knows that the lives and welfare of his brother officers may be at stake in his published tests and evaluations of such.

The article is worth a look if you interested in the bullet.