Hey guys and gals. I contacted Barnes a while back to find out the MINIMUM velocity to make their TAC-XP bullet expand. Here is the body of the email that I received back from them. Hope this will help anyone that uses their bullets.
We do not publish that data but I can tell you. These velocities are the MINIMUM Impact velocity needed for expansion.
.355” 80 gr (380 ACP) – 750 fps
.355" 95 gr (9mm Luger) - 850 fps
.355” 115 gr (9mm Luger) - 850 fps
.357” 110 gr (38 SPL) – 725 fps
.357” 125 gr (357 Mag) – 900 fps
.357” 140 gr (357 Mag) – 900 fps
.400” 125 gr (40 S&W or 10mm Auto) – 800 fps
.400” 140 gr (40 S&W or 10mm Auto) – 850 fps
.400” 155 gr (40 S&W or 10mm Auto) – 850 fps
.451” 160 gr (45 ACP) – 750 fps
.451” 185 gr (45 ACP) – 750 fps
Thanks, Chase
I did ask Chase in later emails to confirm that this is IMPACT velocity and not muzzle velocity. He told me that the bullets must be moving at the above speeds on impact to expand correctly.
I thought that it was really cool of Barnes to allow this guy to send me this info.