The HoneyBadger by Black Hills Ammo has garnered attention for its unique design and impressive performance. While some shooters are familiar with it, others are still discovering its true potential. We headed to South Dakota to the Black Hills Ammo testing lab with Jeff Hoffman to explore what makes the HoneyBadger stand out and why it’s revolutionizing how we think about ammunition.
The simplest way to describe the HoneyBadger is that it’s a monolithic copper projectile. This solid copper bullet is machined with flutes that improve its efficiency. Unlike traditional hollow points, the HoneyBadger doesn’t expand or fragment. Its design allows for deep penetration and equal, if not better, terminal performance than the best hollow points available.
To demonstrate the HoneyBadger’s capabilities, we compared a 160-grain HoneyBadger in .44 Magnum and a traditional 300-grain hollow point. But we took things a step further, testing these loads in both a pistol and a carbine, which revealed some fascinating differences in performance.
When loaded in a carbine, a .44 Magnum cartridge can maximize the performance of slow-burning powder. Out of a revolver, you may leave performance potential on the table, but with the extended barrel of a carbine, you can burn more of the powder, pushing the bullet faster—up to 500 feet per second more. The HoneyBadger excels in this scenario, showcasing its ability to perform beyond the expectations of traditional handgun cartridges.
During our test, the HoneyBadger out of a revolver penetrated 21 inches into ballistic gel with a temporary cavity diameter of four and a half inches. Despite being half the weight of the traditional 300-grain hollow point, the HoneyBadger produced impressive results, including better penetration and a larger temporary cavity.
The secret behind this performance lies in the HoneyBadger’s design. Unlike hollow points that can fail to expand or fragment, the HoneyBadger's solid copper construction with flutes ensures reliable performance in all conditions. It consistently delivers hollow point-like performance without the risk of failure associated with hollow point designs.
The real standout moment of our testing came when we fired the HoneyBadger from a carbine. The increase in velocity made a significant difference, producing an even larger temporary cavity of over seven inches and over 26 inches of penetration. This kind of performance makes the HoneyBadger an exceptional choice for those who use .44 Magnum lever-action rifles. The enhanced velocity from the carbine allows the HoneyBadger to maximize its potential, making it an ideal choice for hunting and self-defense.
The HoneyBadger by Black Hills Ammo is a game-changer for anyone looking for reliable, high-performance ammunition. Its solid copper construction, fluted design, and ability to deliver consistent results make it a superior alternative to traditional hollow points. The HoneyBadger offers deep penetration, impressive terminal ballistics, and unmatched reliability. If you’re looking for a round that performs flawlessly in handgun and lever-action rifles, the HoneyBadger is a top contender for your ammunition. ~ Gun Talk Staff
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