Taurus copper bullets
A
neat package arrived the other day and I almost couldn't
bring myself to use it. The folks at Taurus sent along
2 boxes of their new copper hex bullet in 45 ACP. They
came packaged in 20 round cardboard boxes with the Taurus
logo and an image of the hex bullet expanded and the
99.95 percent pure claim printed alongside the image;
a claim they may correctly make as the folks at ATF
got involved and decided that they are now involved
in truth in advertising. ATF investigated the claim
of 99.95 pure copper; guess what, it is!
The
Taurus copper bullets are assembled using the Taurus team
of Barnes for the 99.95% pure bullet, Hodgden for the
powder and PMC for the case. Taurus will market and distribute
the product internationally while directing the manufacturing
of the ammunition as well. Barnes Bullets are to supply
the bullet using their well-known X-bullet technology
to Taurus’ specs using pure copper combined with
the hex bullet technology. Hodgden will supply a version
of their titegroup. The pure copper bullet coupled with
titegroup’s advantage of being environmentally friendly
allows a fast burning powder to provide accuracy and a
lead free bullet down range with a minimum of fouling
or residual buildup. PMC will provide assembly along with
the case and a non-mercuric primer. Taurus’ hex bullet
is designed to provide expansion starting at 650fps following
thru to 850fps for full expansion while retaining 100%
of it’s weight in all handgun velocities. Now on
to the range…
Testing
was done at 7 meters and we used Taurus’ new Tracker
in 45 ACP and a CZ 97B. I really hated opening those boxes
and looking past that lot #1 stamp, but what are you going
to do! We used a 25 foot slow fire pistol target and were
pleased with results not having much ammo, we allowed
5 round each pistol just to get the feel of things. We
then fired for record using a double-handed stance. We
fired 2 – 3 round shot groups per pistol and everything
came in under 1 ¾. The Tracker proved one group
a 1 ½ and one at just under 1 ¾. The CZ
proved both groups at under 1 ½. In fairness, I
haven’t spent a lot of time on the Tracker yet, but
I really don’t think the difference is a major problem.
We then put the remaining 3 rounds in the editor’s
45 Colt and he printed in at just under 1 ½ also!
I
could not bring myself to give up the second box of ammo;
that #1 lot number jumps out, screaming at me “save
me!” There was little difference in the velocity,
i calculated at 872fps average in the Tracker, CZ 97B
and 970 fps in the Colt. Taurus has a real winner with
this and the good part is that they don’t even consider
it match ammo. It will be priced accordingly. Calibers
to follow will include 38+p, 9mm and 40S&W. I hope
they produce the same results as the 45’s. It was
a pleasure and an experience to be able to shoot something
that new and a real ego booster to produce those kinds
of results out of the box.
By:
Fletcher Ruckman
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