We at NORMA conducted a groundbreaking experiment, in which a roe deer shoulder bone was embedded in a gelblock. What was the objective of this? To closely mimic the real-world conditions NORMA bullets might encounter when striking a game, and to assess the bullet’s behavior upon impact.
Traditionally, we have conducted tests with gelblocks, and the results have provided us with a visual representation of a bullet’s trajectory, wound channel, and penetration depth. But in this new experiment, we took it to another level by incorporating a roe deer bone, which served as a stand-in for the skeletal structure of our game. This experiment thus set out to evaluate how different bullets react upon striking bone. This addition brings a new layer of realism to our tests, challenging the bullets in a manner that a plain gelblock can’t.
Three different bullets were selected for this experiment, each with a unique design and ballistic characteristics. The objective was to see how the bullets behaved when striking a bone, and how the bullets’ paths were influenced by the sudden obstacle.
The bullets tested were:
Oryx. One of the standout features of the Oryx is its unique bonding process, where the lead core is bonded to the copper jacket. This prevents fragmentation, even when colliding with heavy bone. This ensures a continuous and effective wound channel, enhancing the bullet’s stopping power.
Ecostrike. With its streamlined design for pinpoint accuracy, deep penetration, and vast expansion, this is the ideal lead-free alternative. Ecostrike offers consistent energy transfer, weight retention, and a quick, humane harvest.
Tipstrike. The fragmentation bullet out of the NORMA product range, developed for stopping power and deep penetration. Crafted with the hunter’s needs in mind and backed by Norma’s legacy of excellence, Tipstrike is an outstanding bullet for driven hunts and other forms of hunting where an immediate stop is needed.
By using a high-speed camera in this test, every microsecond of the bullet’s flight, each moment as soon as the bullet hit the gelblock and bone, has been captured in super slow motion. The footage offers a view that goes beyond mere numbers and statistics, and allows us to see the real-time physics at play; the contortions of the NORMA bullets, the stress on the bone, and the cavitation within the gelblock.
The results? Nothing short of spectacular. Some bullets surprised us with their resilience and penetration, while others showcased dramatic fragmentation, painting a vivid picture of the potential damage one might expect in real hunting scenarios.
In conclusion, the combination of the roe deer bone and the high-speed footage offers a holistic view, and this innovative test has elevated our understanding of bullet performance. As hunters, we are always learning, always evolving, and tests like these remind us that there’s always more to discover about the craft we so passionately pursue.