Ammo Games
Even during these desperate times of ammo drought and despair, I managed to scrounge up enough of three different loads to do proper testing with the Walther PDP.
Black Hills HoneyBadger is quickly becoming one of my favorite defensive loads. The solid-copper bullet resembles a drill bit more than a hollow point, and as the shape hints, it’s not designed to expand. Barriers or no barriers, it will perform the penetration task demanded. From the full-size Walther PDP, I measured average velocity of the light-for-caliber 100-grain projectile using a Competition Electronics Pro Chrono DLX optical chronograph 15 feet from the muzzle. The average velocity of a shot string worked out to 1,287.3 fps. For accuracy testing, I used a Ransom Multi-Caliber Steady Rest set up 25 yards from the target and fired multiple five-shot groups. The HoneyBadger load grouped into an average 1.79″.
I also dove into a supply of Norma MHP (monolithic hollow point) 108-grain ammo. In previous reviews, I’ve found this defensive load to show exceptional accuracy. For defensive use, it’s designed to expand massively when used for home defense and concealed carry applications. Using the same Pro Chrono setup, I measured average velocity of a shot string at 1,220.7 fps. From 25 yards, I fired multiple five-shot groups and observed an average group size of just 1.41″. Nice.
Last up was a more traditional load from Black Hills — their 115-grain JHP EXP offering with its traditional hollow-point design. The finicky nature of Black Hills’ production showed with this offering. Average velocity clocked in at 1,206.7 fps. Accuracy was impressive with an average group size of just 1.27″. Even more impressive was the five-shot group of the day at just 0.98″.
This PDP will shoot. It’s been a while since I’ve tested a production pistol with this kind of repeatable accuracy. Combined with a red dot, it’s easy to put shots on target with satisfying precision.