Tested out some Silver Bear today

[RMTactical]

Actually went rather well. I had been told that Silver Bear didn't expand well, but all of the SB I shot expanded very well. Penetration was good with the 115gr bullet as well. I think this will be my new carry load.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/9x18SilverBear022.jpg

From the left, 95gr Hornady XTP, 90gr Blazer GD, 95gr Barnaul JHP, and 115gr Silver Bear JHP.

Of all of the loads I tried, the Hornady and the Silver Bear were the most consistent in expansion, but I think the Silver Bear has an edge in penetration. The nickel plated case helps aid feeding, and it's inexpensive to buy. About half the price of Hornady (not that I am basing any of my decisions on price).

[CCV]

Has Barnaul stopped importing their JHP?

[RMTactical]

I don't know. It's not as easy to get as it used to be though...

[ericXD9]

Thanks for that test. I shoot a lot of the Silver Bear, it's nice to see how it performs. How did you do the test? What material were you shooting?

Re: the Barnaul. I've seen a noticeable decrease in availablity around here.

[RMTactical]

Just shot them into water jugs and recovered the bullets. Not the most scientific method, but considering the human body is 2/3 water, it gives you an *idea*.

For other testing done check out this website

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/9x18/gel9x18.htm

[Tomac]

I did my own water jug tests with the Silver Bear 115gr JHP and was impressed by the consistent depth of penetration regardless of bullet expansion/deformation (exactly 24" penetration in the jugs every single time which roughly equates to 13.33" penetration in ballistic geletin). Once I polished the feed ramps for reliable feeding this is now my carry rd. The pic below shows (from left to right) full expansion through bare jugs, partial expansion w/separated jacket through 2 layers of denim & little expansion through 4 layers of denim.
Tomac
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/SB115grJHPa002s.jpg

[Libertas]

AIM Surplus has Silver Bear cheap, just to mention.

Regards

[ralphie98]

any sources for those blazer gold dots? Do they still make them?

[RMTactical]

I got mine at a store in Utah called Gunnies last year. Never seen em anywhere else.

[PaleGreenHorse]

Every test i've seen using silver bear has had great penetration and expansion results. Great pix Gorelicks.

[Berto]

The Silver Bears are pretty decent in my Bulgy...they chrono over 1000fps for a 115gr...;P
I tried a group at 25yrds offhand with the S@B ball and the Silver Bear (LVE)

http://img14.imgspot.com/u/05/183/18/Image123.JPG

[RMTactical]

That's pretty good for offhand at 25 yards.

[50 Cent]

How did the SB feed - I've heard (about the only faint criticism of this round) is that you sometimes have feeding problems. I take it your tests didn't get any failure to feed or any jamming problems?

[RMTactical]

No failures. Be assured that I would have mentioned that if there were.

Afterall, what good is a great working bullet that cannot be fired?

I've heard the rumors, but I don't know anyone who has stated that they had the problem first hand.

[50 Cent]

Yeah, so far I've only heard of feeding problems from a limited number of sources. Doesn't seem like anybody who actually posts to these boards has had feeding problems ;f .

That makes SB a pretty solid candidate to try out - the price doesn't hurt either. Where did you get yours - online thru AIM or J&G or locally?

[RMTactical]

AIM

[JWP]

j&g sales has lots of 9x18, got case of silver bear 115hp for 105 + delivery

[Libertas]

AIM Surplus, but the price recently went up.

Regards

[50 Cent]

Well, I took the plunge over the weekend and bought 6 boxesof SB from AIM for about $ 5.50/box - even with shipping, cost is better than Winchester Whitebox 9mm 115 gr JHP (which I carry in my G19).

Since my intent is to use my Bulgy Mak for summer CCW carry, I was impressed with the pics showing performance in bare/thinly covered medium. I figure I'm not likely to encounter too many bad guys wearing multiple layers of clothing in a Texas summer.

[M2 Carbine]

Check the 115 Silver Bear in your magazines to see that it doesn't hang up. Make sure the rounds slide freely in the mags and don't try to lock in place.

A couple days ago I got a couple feeding failures with the 115 SB, which is unusual.
Turns out the 115gr SB was jamming in the magazine, like the too long 120gr SB does.

I've got about 30 magazines and it just so happens this one and maybe more, I'll check, is a little smaller than normal.

Where there's one, there's got to be more.