308 black tip AP vs Barnes Solids

[jcpolo]

Any one have any opinions about the old school 308 AP vs Barnes Solids? I have the opportunity to purchase some 308 AP for .90 each and want to make sure its worth it before purchasing...

I have heard some bad things about 308 AP saying it doesn't actually penetrate that much at all (tested on tree, engines, and steel plates) where as the Barnes solids do much better. I found the information on different websites but the dates of the posts range from 2005-2008 when 308 AP was in abundance and affordable.

[bfoosh006]

Barnes solids were never designed to penetrate "engine blocks or steel plates", they were designed to be used on game. Barnes solids are soft against steel plates, as a matter of fact they are ( IMHO ) marginal as far as "solids" go, even when used against dangerous game. The only reason they may be banned is because of the bullets being made out of ( I think ) some form of bronze. This is and always has been a no-no.... why the Feds are just now considering this... is probably a result of the current Admin.

The definition of AP ammo is at 18 USC sec. 921(a)(17):
"(B) The term `armor piercing ammunition' means-

(i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and
which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other
substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass,
bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or.....

That said, I have fired various Barnes solids ( .224, .308, .458 ) at common steel plates, NONE have come even close to penetrating the plate....( as a matter of fact, they shattered against the plate) ...while my friends 7mm Rem. Mag. with a old school Rem. Core-Lok 175gr PSP cleanly muscled its way through.
( Perfect example of "Why" bullet construction matters... )


True AP bullets ( as designed by the military, which use tungsten cores ) perform far better against their intended target. But even then they are not ever going to live up to their internet image.

And BTW (not that you asked) I think your money would be better spent elsewhere... There are a ton of fake AP,API rounds for sale out there.

Sorry if any of this sounds "blunt" ,the .308 AP bullet works well at what it was designed to do.... but the AP round can't ever live up to its magic image.

[Wrangler John]

Barnes had to suspend sale of some solids due to BATFE ruling that they were armor piercing bullets.

[bfoosh006]

Barnes had to suspend sale of some solids due to BATFE ruling that they were armor piercing bullets.

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Yup... because they were made out of bronze. Not because they actually are AP.

[jcpolo]

Thank you Very much for your information guys. I appreciate it. I passed on the purchase of the bullets and I am very glad I did. Today I ran across a dillon reloader for 100 dollars more than I was planning on spending on the ammo. So its going to work out a lot better than wasting money on bullets that will never do what I planned.

[problemchild]

And besides you wont find true tungsten core anywhere. Maybe hardened steel (magnetic) but not tungsten (non magnetic).