This report concerns the comprehensive testing and evaluation of the .308 Win. Match (Limited Penetration) ammunition for potential sniper / counter sniper operations.

 The following are the results of this study.

AMMUNITION: Limited Penetration
          CALIBER: .308 [7.62X51]
   PROJECTILE: 168 grain H.P.
   MANUFACTURER: Black Hills Ammunition
           P.O. Box 3090, Rapid City, S.D. 57709

TEST WEAPON No. 1: Remington 700 PSS (.308)
             OPTICS: Leopold 10X
              STOCK: McMillian / Glass bedded with Harris Bi-Pod

TEST WEAPON No. 2: Springfield M1A Match (.308)
               OPTICS: Leopold 10X
              STOCK: E-2

TEST WEAPON No. 3: Remington 700 PSS (.308)
               OPTICS: Springfield Armory 4-14 x 56 (3rd. Gen.)
                STOCK: Original Mfg. Composite with Harris Bi-Pod.


November 08th. 2002 at 1400. The ammunition was first tested at a Metropolitan Police Range in the Midwest under the following conditions.

  WEATHER: Partly Cloudy / 46 degrees (f).
          WIND: 0-2 M.P.H. (N/W)
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 52 percent.
                  EVELATION: 1604 ft. (G.P.S.)

The ammunition was Cronographed through test weapons 1 and 3. with an average muzzle velocity of 2537 F.P.S. at 15 feet from the weapons muzzle. This ammunition Muzzle Velocity proved very consistent with a deviation of +/- 6 F.P.S.  

Test Weapon No. 2 showed a slight decrease in average Muzzle Velocity at 2522 F.P.S. and again proved consistent with a deviation of +/- 11 F.P.S.  Again this test was conducted with the Chronograph 15 feet from the weapons muzzle.

The first penetration test was conducted at 25 yards with Test Weapon No. 2.  This test was conducted on a ballistic water tank unit.  The ballistic testing unit has 10 mil. Baffles every 4 inches, to a maximum penetration length of 24 inches.  

Penetration averaged 9.5 inches and produced a very violent impact display. The testing unit encapsulated the entire projectile, however, it fragmented into numerous pieces.  The largest fragment recovered was 59 grains.  Of all the rounds tested, none were recovered intact.

The second penetration test was conducted at 100 yards with Test Weapons 1 and 3 using the same ballistic testing unit.

Penetration averaged 8.5 inches and again proved to have a very violent impact display compared to other match ammunition we have tested.  Again, of all the rounds tested, none were recovered intact.

The final penetration test was conducted with Test Weapon No. 2 on a 3.5 x 3.5 inch block of hardwood covered with 10mil. plastic, at 25 yards.

The entrance hole measured .32 in. and there was no exit hole.  However, the plastic coating on the back of the test media was fractured.  The projectile remained encapsulated in this media and was found to be mostly intact.  Expansion was .48 in. of the largest fragment recovered.

The first accuracy tests were conducted with Test Weapon No. 1 at a distance of 100 yds.  

NOTE: Test Weapon No. 1 is zeroed for Federal Gold Medal Match [168 grain BTHP], at 100 yards.

The cold shot impacted 1.23 inches (High / Right) at approximately 2 o’clock, from point of aim.

The second and third rounds impacted 1 inch right at approximately 3 o’clock from point of aim.

Another three shot group, hot barrel, provided a .75 group, 1 inch right at 3 o’clock from point of aim.

Test Weapon No. 1 was cleaned and allowed to cool for 20 minutes.  

At this point we fired a 3 round group with the Federal Match with Test Weapon No. 1.  After the cold shot, which is consistently .75 to 1.25 inches high at 12 o’clock, we managed a .5 inch group  at approximately .75 in. .5 inches low (6 o’clock) from point of aim.  

NOTE: This test was conducted 3 times with the same results.  The Limited Penetration Ammunition consistently printed a .75 group, approximately 1.5 inches high and to the right at 2 o’clock..

Test Weapon No. 2 (M1A) consistently printed a 1.0 to 1.75 inch group at 100 yards.

ACCURACY TEST NO. 2

After the cleaning and cooling of Test Weapon No. 1 accuracy was tested at 200 yards.  This test was conducted for grouping, point of aim / point of impact differential.

With the Limited Penetration Ammunition we averaged groups of 2.25 to 3.5 inches.  The mean average impact point was 6.25 inches low at approximately 4 o’clock from point of aim.

ACCURACY TEST NO. 3.

 DATE: November 15, 2002 at 1530
 LOCATION: Las Vegas, Nevada
  WEATHER: Sunny / 72 degrees (f)
WIND: 0 mph
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 28 percent.
EVELATION: 2404 ft. (G.P.S.)

The first accuracy test was conducted with Test Weapon No. 3 at 200 yards.

NOTE: Test Weapon No. 3 is zeroed for Federal Gold Medal Match [168 grain BTHP], at 100 yards.

The cold shot printed 6.5 inches low and to the right at approximately 4 o’clock.

A subsequent 3 round group was fired with an amazing measurement of 1.0 inches, 6.0 inches low and to the right, at 5 o’clock..

This test was repeated one additional time with the same results.

ACCURACY TEST NO. 4.

This test was conducted at 100 yards after the cleaning and cooling of Test Weapon No. 3.

The cold shot printed 2.25 inches high and to the right at 2 o’clock.

Two 3 round groups averaged .75 inches, 2.0 inches right at 3 o’clock from point of aim.

All personnel that participated in the testing of this ammunition were extremely impressed with the results.  

The muzzle velocity seemed very consistent through our chronograph with a very low deviation differential.

The Limited Penetration capabilities were more than we expected. The only mystery to us would be the extreme fragmentation of the rounds when they impacted water.  Our opinion is that this would not be a “Bad Thing”.  However, we would like to do further testing on other media and through obstacles, such as glass, to see if this would effect the rounds capabilities.

The accuracy was very impressive with the only adjustments one would have to make would be to correct for point of aim / point of impact.

Thumbs Up!!! from all of us on this round. It performs remarkably and should be seriously considered for any tactical team, Law Enforcement or Military.

Brad Trelstad


Director of Tactical Training
TMTA, Inc.

Ya got a typo here.  It's 7.62x51.

Thanks guys, good thing we have not submitted the report yet.