PMC Eldorado Starfire

[mr surveyor]

I know this stuff is "second generation" engineering of the SD JHP ammunition, and in some reviews was noted to have a problem with cavity clogging before expansion. Other reviews still tend to give it a positive nod as being somewhat midrange in performance compared to the more modern offerings. I have never tried any myself, but tonight a buddy called and said he found a box of Starfire 9mm 124 gr jhp in his stash, and knew I was running short on 9mm SD ammo. Since I (probably temporarily) rid myself of .223 rifles, I have no real current need for the .223 ammo I have stashed back... I traded him a box of Winchester Supreme Silver Tip .223 for the Starfire 9mm. Dollarwise, I don't care one bit which box of ammo cost whatever amount and we both got what we wanted.

Question is, how well will this stuff perform? Years of reviews seem to indicate that it was pretty highly regarded (for mid priced ammunition) as being reliable, having decent expansion, and around 9-10 inch penetration.

How about it Pocketgun???? This stuff used to be made in your part of the world.


surv

[magman454]

I have 124 & 90 gr. Starfire 9mm ammo. That is what I used to carry in my P-11 before I sold it.

I have never heard anything bad about it other than the cavity possibly clogging, but that could happen with any hollowpoint that doesn't already have something stuck in the hole.

The only thing that I have ever shot with it was a 250 lb. hog at about 50 yards while I was sitting in a tree. He was walking away from me, and I caught him at the base of the skull with a 240 gr 44 Mag Starfire from an 8 3/8" Taurus model 44. It severed the spine and blew out his throat leaving an exit wound that was about 2" across. He dropped at the shot, rolled over onto his side and didn't move.

Not that other hollowpoints wouldn't have done the same in the same situation, but certainly nothing to complain about either.

It is a pretty nasty looking round when you look into that cavity, isn't it?

[pocketgun]

It is not the latest and greatest, and therefore would probably just bounce off and leave a slight bruise.

Check out GoldenLoki's gel test of it HERE. The nice thing about 9mm is that it has power to spare in comparison to .32ACP and .380ACP. The PMC is pretty mild in comparison to other 9x19mm offerings, yet its performance wasn't bad. 14.4" of penetration and 0.530" of expansion is not bad.

[mr surveyor]

thanks for the reminder for GoldenLoki's site. I have so many sites saved in favorites folders, I forget to check them all out. His numbers seem to reflect a pretty good average of what I have in my books, and what is available on the net. About 1090 fps, 327fpe, and expansion between 0.50 and 0.55. It looks like a good trade off between better than average performance and a reduced recoil load. Looks lioke it may be just the thing for a polymer pistol.


surv

[rjhauser]

better than nothing when the zombies attack

[jayspapa]

Better than saying " bang bang bang , I got you , you have to fall down now. "