[resq854]

Wife and I went to the range today. While we were there, I saw a few boxes of CorBon on the shelf. With my members' discount, it was 12.99 for a box of 20. I've heard a little about these rounds, and decided to try them. A 90 grain hollowpoint going 1500 FPS, with 450 ft/lbs. I only shot 10 of them, but I was very impressed. A LOT more kick than what I normally shoot (WWB) I mean, it felt more like shooting my SIgP220.Well, not guite, but it's a heck of a difference. I'm not really sure about it as a carry ammo, as 90 grain is pretty small, but it is one smokin fast round. Need to do more research. Guess that means I gotta go back to the range!

 

[Dragoon44]

At that weight and that speed I would expect very shalllow penetration. Corbon makes some good ammo but I would go with their 125gr+P or thier 115gr+P Copper hollowpoint DPX Load.

 

[resq854]

I went to their website and saw the two rounds you are talking about. I just saw these at the range. The only other self defense rounds in 9mm were hydrashocks, and I have a few boxes of them. Just trying something new. So far, nothing has given the XD any real problems.

 

[DigMe]

Not a fan of most Cor-bon defensive offerings but if I were going to use any of them it'd probably be the DPX.

brad cook

 

[Verm]

I've been using the DPX rounds and so far I have been more than pleased with performance.

 

[NExd]

CorBon rounds dont retain their weight in gel tests, so you might as well shoot a 22 at the guy. Ballistics mean something, but it gets to a point where it is not worth it. From what I seen in gel tests, penetration wasnt a problem per se, but this is a vanity round IMO and this specifc round is not worth it. If you want those ballistics, get .357 sig. Otherwise stick to 115/124 gr +p.

 

[Verm]

DPX has 100% weight retention in ballistics tests

 

[Verm]

Just because some people live by numbers, I copied this....


"Interesting Facts from Winchester's 2004 LE Catalog (page 19):

Preliminary Note: For simplicity and to avoid confusion, we'll perform comparisons of the 9mm (with average test results of three popular Ranger T rounds) versus the 357 SIG and then introduce the newer Bonded bullet into the mix.

Furthermore, we'll contrast the 9mm's best Ranger T round versus the SIG's best Ranger T, even though it's not fair to the 9mm as we're contrasting nonbonded to 357 SIG bonded. To even things out, we'll add in a straight bonded to bonded analysis. Then, to top things off, another surprising comparison of 9mm 147-gr. versus 40 S&W 165-gr. - both Ranger T bullets.

Test protocol was performed by Winchester according to proven industry standards using typical 4" barrels for comparison.
_________________

Data from Winchester's latest in-house analysis surprisingly shows that all three of their 9mm Ranger T offerings (124, 127, & 147-gr.) beat the 357 SIG 125-gr. (RA357SIGT) in Bare Gelatin and 4-Ply Denim in their official Handgun Barrier Test Protocols.

Bare Gelatin: 9mm averages = 12.8" / .66" versus 10.9" / .63" for the 125-gr. 357 SIG (RA357SIGT).

4-Ply Denim: 9mm averages = 13.6" / .67" versus 12.1" / .66" for the Ranger T 357 SIG (RA357SIGT).

Note: These Winchester tests show the powerful 357 SIG (specifically the RA357SIGT load) as having up to a 170 fps advantage and still achieving only 10.9" into Bare Gelatin, where the average of the (supposedly "weaker") three 9mm rounds achieve 1.9" more penetration in the same test.

4-ply Denim results for the (RA357SIGT) SIG improved to 12.1" penetration and .66" expansion, but the 9mm Ranger T's were still out front in this category as they averaged 13.6" and the typical .67 expansion.

Bonded versus Bonded

Furthermore, when comparing the 9mm 124-gr. Bonded round (RA9BA) to the 357 SIG's 125-gr. Bonded Ranger T bullet (RA357SB), then it takes 170 fps more for the SIG to equal the 9mm (nonbonded) average into Bare Gelatin (12.5" versus 12.2"), with the 9mm clearly getting the nod in expansion at .70" versus .62".

357 SIG versus 9mm Bonded Ranger T's in 4-Ply Denim tests show the SIG out ahead in penetration (14.7" versus 13.9") but the roles reverse when it comes to expansion, as the SIG drops to .56" versus the 9mm's dependable .67".

Best 9mm Ranger T versus 357 SIG's Best Ranger T

Note: It takes a 357 SIG bonded bullet to catch-up to the best nonbonded 9mm, which is the RA9T in 147-gr.

Bare Gelatin:
9mm nonbonded in 147-gr. (RA9T) = 13.9" / .65"
357 SIG BONDED 125-gr (RA357SB) = 12.5" / .62"

4-Ply Denim:
9mm nonbonded in 147-gr. (RA9T) = 14.5" / .66"
357 SIG BONDED 125-gr (RA357SB) = 14.7" / .56"
________________
________________

For fun, let's see a contrast between the best of the two nonbonded projectiles:

Bare Gelatin:
9mm 147-gr (RA9T) = 13.9" / .65"
357 SIG's 125-gr. = 10.9" / .63" (RA357SIGT)

4-Ply Denim:
9mm 147-gr (RA9T) = 14.5" / .66"
357 SIG's 125-gr. = 12.1" / .66" (RA357SIGT)

________________
________________

9mm versus 40 S&W

Bare Gelatin:
9mm 147-gr (RA9T) = 13.9" / .65"
40 S&W 165-gr. HP = 12.7" / .61" (RA40TA)

4-Ply Denim:
9mm 147-gr (RA9T) = 14.5" / .66"
40 S&W 165-gr. HP = 13.2" / .70" (RA40TA)
________________
________________

Summary

* It appears that Winchester has more work to do in perfecting the SIG's powerful (nonbonded) Ranger T round.

* The 357 SIG should expand better - not worse - in Bare Gelatin, especially with a 10% (170 fps) advantage in speed over the 9mm.

* While the SIG's penetration into Bare Gelatin is only 10.9", Winchester isn't through with tweaking things and you can bet other competitors' 357 SIG tests show better penetration. I'm somewhat muffed at this one.

* Observations: The 357 SIG appears to be overhyped and the 9mm is definately underhyped by opinions on this good Forum.

* The 9mm is clearly not a weak performer and generally holds its own amongst the 357 SIG and larger calibers.

* The Bonded Ranger T round performs very well and shows a lot of promise.

* Winchester makes the following Bonded Ranger T's:

9mm +P in 124-gr. at 1,180 fps & 383 ME (RA9BA)
357 SIG in 125-gr. at 1,350 fps & 506 ME (RA357SB)
40 S&W in 165-gr. at 1,140 fps & 476 ME (RA40BA)

* The ol' 9mm in 147-gr. (RA9T) is hard to beat and generally outperforms the 357 SIG. In fact, Winchester has perfected this round so much that it more than holds it's own against their 40 S&W Ranger T 165-gr."