Winchester Dynapoint Bulk Pack Water Test

[Josh Smith]

I decided to go out today and test some Dynapoint .22LR in water jugs.

I’m not aware of what the Dynapoints looked like before, but the ones that I have are in a white bulk pack which is labeled “Winchester Dynapoint.” I was hoping they’d be as reliable as the Winchester Xpert I’d been using before the supply dried up, but I was initially getting failures to fire on the first strike, having to turn the round 180° to find priming compound in the rim. One round had left the factory with no priming compound in the rim. I’ve found this disappointing.


This is the box the Dynapoints came in.

The hollowpoint in the bullet was small, reminiscent of the Federal bulk pack.


Note the small dimple. Compared to other hollowpoint designs I favor, this is neither deep nor wide.

However, the bullet profile leant itself to feeding. Though I’ve never had a problem with the Squirrel Sniper feeding anything, folks needing a more feed-friendly profile might take a look at this.


Note the almost round-nose profile.

I had shot a milk jug earlier today at 100 yards, and got no expansion of any sort. I sort of didn’t expect to as this is a standard velocity round with a small, vestigial hollowpoint.

Around here, more realistic hunting distances, at least until the leaves fall off the trees, are 10yds to 50yds max, so I set up a test at 50 yards.


50 yard range…

I used my standard milk jug setup, only I used three jugs instead of the standard five jugs I use for centerfire rounds.


The metal plate is used for a couple things: First, I know an unimpeded round will punch right through it, so it’s a very rough measure of remaining power. Second, I was hoping that it would help recover bullets. It didn’t quite work out that way, however.
I was using my “Squirrel Sniper,” which is capable of dime accuracy at 50 yards with most ammo, this bulk pack included.


Here is the setup. Earplugs are a good idea, even with rimfire.

A couple notes on the movie: First, I forgot to zoom in, so please forgive me for that. I didn’t have the milk jugs to repeat the performance, or I would have. Second, I fired five times, figuring I could get expansion from at least one bullet.


The shots…

And the results:


These are the milk jugs. They are torn up, but not in much worse shape than standard LRN would have done.

It should be noted that the caps were taken off by me; I was looking for bullet fragments. None were found. The bullet lying on the board is one that flattened against the piece of metal and cannot be counted.


These are the exit holes on the rearmost jug. Though it’s split, you’ll notice that the holes are caliber sized. Little to no expansion took place.

I did manage to recover a bullet.


This bullet was laying on one of the sawhorses. There is no expansion, and the only deformation is a “tattoo” from hitting a milk jug, and a bit of damage at the base. It looks like it may have tumbled a bit after impact.

Overall, I am not impressed. While in hunting situations placement is key, expansion is also desirable on most game in the United States. I do not know if this is the same Dynapoint that was originally developed; I would very much hope not. I would expect more from Winchester’s R&R department.

Additionally, it should be noted that, though most rounds were subsonic, a few had a supersonic “crack.” Though I have yet to get a chronograph, this tells me that the ammo is pretty inconsistent.

I very much hope that Winchester gets its Xpert line back out very soon. Though it’s somewhat dirty to shoot, the terminal performance of the bullets are nothing short of awesome, especially for a bulk pack round.

I am disappointed in this “new” Dynapoint bulk pack.

Josh <><
H&A - Home

[dkc485]

I've had similar problems with .22 mag dynapoint through a revolver. Had a few failure to fires on the first pass through the cylinder. I just kept cycleing through until they fired. I have one more box to go through, once its finished I won't be buying them again

[PappyD]

I would be very curious to see what the actual velocity these rounds would register. It woiuld seem to be inconsistent. Interesting to say the least...

Like your tree rat sniper rifle!

[BISHOP2822]

So would you say that this type of ammo is a bust?

[2cool9031]

thanks for the info Josh......all I can say is I won't be buying Dynapoints.

[hotfarmboy1]

I had heard bad things about the dynapoints and have stayed away from them as much as I can. I agree the xpert stuff id pretty good. I"ve got 90% of one bulk pack left and use it for my single shot, and revolver. I use the federal for the 10/22. Good luck finding more Xpert. But I have seen they came out with a new line as well. Just can't remember what it was called. I'm sure its better than the dynapoints though.

[Josh Smith]

Yesterday I rebuilt my bird feeder for like the 100th time. I showed the base of the tree to my dog Nikki, so she could watch it.

Sure 'nuff, right after dark last night, she barked and came and got me. I turned the spot light on and saw a couple glowing eyes.

I set the spot light down, grabbed my "Squirrel Sniper" off the dining room table, went prone, lit up the crosshairs (found a purpose for the lighted reticle, finally!) and put them right between the eyes.

The bullet entered the raccoon's head right where I aimed, about 1/2 inch up from the base of the muzzle. It exited at the brain stem.

Range was about 30 yards.

Post mortem, I had a hard time finding the entrance wound and would have had a tough time except that I knew where I hit. Took out at least one frontal lobe, and the exit wound felt like the bullet expanded just a little, certainly not as much as a standard hollowpoint.

From what I'm reading, the Aussies wanted a "bullet that penetrated a lot and expanded a little bit." If true, this bullet fills that role.

I can't complain on that terminal performance.

I just didn't like the thought that went through my head before I touched off: "Man I hope this fires hail Mary fulla grace" then the shot. I briefly considered tearing into the Blazer I picked up yesterday, but there was no time.

As long as these things fire, I guess I'll like 'em...

Josh <><

[Josh Smith]

Yesterday I rebuilt my bird feeder for like the 100th time. I showed the base of the tree to my dog Nikki, so she could watch it.

Sure 'nuff, right after dark last night, she barked and came and got me. I turned the spot light on and saw a couple glowing eyes.

I set the spot light down, grabbed my "Squirrel Sniper" off the dining room table, went prone, lit up the crosshairs (found a purpose for the lighted reticle, finally!) and put them right between the eyes.

The bullet entered the raccoon's head right where I aimed, about 1/2 inch up from the base of the muzzle. It exited at the brain stem.

Range was about 30 yards.

Post mortem, I had a hard time finding the entrance wound and would have had a tough time except that I knew where I hit. Took out at least one frontal lobe, and the exit wound felt like the bullet expanded just a little, certainly not as much as a standard hollowpoint.

From what I'm reading, the Aussies wanted a "bullet that penetrated a lot and expanded a little bit." If true, this bullet fills that role.

I can't complain on that terminal performance.

I just didn't like the thought that went through my head before I touched off: "Man I hope this fires hail Mary fulla grace" then the shot. I briefly considered tearing into the Blazer I picked up yesterday, but there was no time.

As long as these things fire, I guess I'll like 'em...

Josh <><

[AngryFish]

If you don't mind me asking, Where did you pick up your dynapoints? I used to use them in my suppressed guns all the time a few years ago. They functioned flawlessly and were usually cheaper than Aguila and Remmy subs. Had decent accuracy for plinking etc.

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

They have a number of boxes at the local gunstore. I thought I got the last two, but last time I was there, they had more.

Where are you at? If you're close at all to Wabash, I'll show you where they're keeping 'em. They're going for $30/500 though.

Josh <><