How Do Controlled Expansion Bullets Perform in Wet Environments?

Penetration in Wet Conditions

Controlled expansion bullets, such as the Barnes TSX or the Hornady GMX, are designed to expand reliably in a variety of scenarios, including when the bullet encounters water. When submerged in water, these bullets tend to expand at a slower rate, but still maintain their weight retention and kinetic energy. In tests, Barnes TSX bullets have shown to retain up to 95% of their original weight when fired into water, resulting in a penetration depth of around 12-18 inches, despite being slowed down by the water.

Expansion in Wet Conditions

The controlled expansion mechanism of these bullets allows them to maintain their expansion even when submerged in water. In contrast, traditional expanding bullets may experience inconsistent expansion or even fail to expand at all when encountering water. For example, a study by Hornady showed that their GMX bullets expanded consistently in water, with an average expansion ratio of 1.3 times the original diameter, despite being submerged in water.

Real-World Performance

In real-world hunting scenarios, controlled expansion bullets have proven to be effective in wet environments. For instance, a hunter in the Pacific Northwest used a rifle loaded with Barnes TSX bullets to harvest a deer at close range in a heavily wooded area with a high water table. The bullet expanded consistently, resulting in a quick and humane kill, despite the wet conditions. While no bullet is perfect, controlled expansion bullets offer a reliable solution for hunting in environments where water is present.