Testing Griffin New LDC Slugs

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AirgunBill

Member
Nov 2, 2015
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Maryland, United States
Recently I posted that Griffin Airgun Ammo was producing a new slug designated as LDC or (light density core). This core is a poly bead that is suppose to aid in expansion on impact. They posted a video on Youtube recently showing shooting into ballistic gel blocks and the slugs looked promising. Of course I am of the opinion to match the gel blocks weight to the pest or games weight to approximate the same resistance to the slug as the target for expansion. So I took a block of gel weighing in at 16 ounces to approximate the weight of a pigeon. For me that is a good starting weight as pests and birds weighing less are most likely to be terminated with any pellet or slug when hit. I was shooting my FX Dream Pup in .22 for the two LDC type .22 cal slugs weighing in at 18 grains. The Dream Pup was set-up to shoot the NSA 17.5 g slugs at 48 yards at about 920 fps so that is how far I set-up the gel block. I have to say I was very impressed with the expansion on with the .22 cal LDC slug. I did shoot them for accuracy but I was not in my best shooting for that day. The next day I tried out the .25 cal 28.5 grain LDC in my FX Crown shooting them at 895 fps. Out of the first four shots only one slug had any expansion. Looking at the small hollow point and thinking the lead at the tip was holding it together I decided to drill out the tip. Finally after increasing the drill size to 3/32" drilling down to the poly ball I got reliable and exception expansion. I did video each testing session but also took a picture of the .22 cal. slugs expansion compare to the 17.5 grain NSA's and did a picture of my written summary of the 25.caliber if you do not want to watch the videos. Bill





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zchYzN65YSA&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=GunPowder%26AirPower





The .22's

1582330745_19659930325e507379a914d8.97797965_NSA & Griffin .22 cal LDC Shot Slugs.jpg




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSQ2LKXAXT8&ab_channel=GunPowder%26AirPower




 
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I am surprised they produced the .25 version in such a way that they do not expand. In some ways you can argue it isn't always about expansion, but downrange accuracy and energy. But it seems like these are intentionally marketed for expansion given the bead yet they don't seem to expand due to the thickness. Why would they make them so thick or not have an adequate hollowpoint to start with? Are the slug manufacturers simply pouring lead into molds they design or do they have access to software that helps them design an optimal ballistically shaped projectile? Seems pretty obvious you need a cavity inside and appropriately thin walls to allow expansion in a pesting slug.

The bead sounds like a good idea. I wonder if we will get tipped slugs similar to the Hornady varmint ammunition I shoot in powderburners? A tipped slug will still need thinner cavity walls for that tip to deform the lead cavity wall.
 
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I am surprised they produced the .25 version in such a way that they do not expand. In some ways you can argue it isn't always about expansion, but downrange accuracy and energy. But it seems like these are intentionally marketed for expansion given the bead yet they don't seem to expand due to the thickness. Why would they make them so thick or not have an adequate hollowpoint to start with? Are the slug manufacturers simply pouring lead into molds they design or do they have access to software that helps them design an optimal ballistically shaped projectile? Seems pretty obvious you need a cavity inside and appropriately thin walls to allow expansion in a pesting slug.

The bead sounds like a good idea. I wonder if we will get tipped slugs similar to the Hornady varmint ammunition I shoot in powderburners? A tipped slug will still need thinner cavity walls for that tip to deform the lead cavity wall.
Click to expand...

Okay I found out after posting my experience over on Lead slinger Youtube's channel who makes the Griffin slugs that the .249 diameter slug have a smaller hp than the .250 diameter slugs. I am not entirely up on all features of these slugs since they do have a wide selection range but I hope to be getting some of the .25 caliber slug with the larger hp.I will then do more testing and show the results. Thanks to Lead slinger for responding very positively to my comments. Bill

PS I removed the review on the Griffin .25 caliber slug till I can get the ones they offer with the larger hp and poly insert. 
 
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I picked up some 135 grain boat tail LDC.

I recovered one after shooting into shredder rubber at about 905 fps. (247 ft. lbs or so) Wow.

wow2.1647824789.jpg


I am not sure about accuracy...the above was shot at 30 yards...and was as accurate as NSA amo. But the Griffin had a lot more expansion. It is possible it hit another pellet though. (UPDATE: It did since it weighs more than when I shot it).
 
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