DoubleTap Equalizer Ammo

DoubleTap Equalizer ammo uses two projectiles in a single cartridge to deliver a devastating blow on the target: both game animals and criminal attackers. The projectiles are of different design, each wounding the target in different manners.

The exposed bullet is a standard jacketed hollowpoint. The second projectile is stacked under the hollowpoint and is solid lead. Exact configuration of the second projectile – ball or wadcutter type bullet – depends on the load. There are some great photos of these cartridges and bullets at the IAA forum here.

Assuming everything works as advertised, the hollowpoint would strike the target and mushroom as designed. The second projectile would then penetrate deep, creating a second, and different, wound channel.

But, can both projectiles hit a single target? The key is in making sure the bullets do not spread too far away from each other. According to DoubleTap’s blog, the accuracy of these loads is exceptionally good. At 25 yards the projectiles are within 2″ of each other. Tom Gresham, host of the Gun Talk radio program, stated he was seeing a 2″ – 4″ spread on the projectiles at about 20 yards.

The hollowpoint hits point of aim, according to the information posted on the DoubleTap site. The second projectile rises slightly, meaning it will hit a little higher than the JHP.

Caliber	Test Gun	HP Bullet Weight	HC Ball/Bullet Weight	Velocity	Energy
9mm +P	Beretta 92 FS	115 gr	50 gr	995 fps	365 ft-lbs
9mm +P	Ruger SR9	115 gr	50 gr	900 fps	297 ft-lbs
.357 Magnum	Ruger GP-100 4″	125 gr	70 gr	1,075 fps	500 ft-lbs
.357 Magnum	Smith & Wesson 1 7/8″	125 gr	70 gr	990 fps	424 ft-lbs
.357 Magnum	Smith & Wesson 686 6″	125 gr	70 gr	1,145 fps	568 ft-lbs
.40 S&W	Glock 23	135 gr	50 gr	1,000 fps	411 ft-lbs
10 mm	Glock 29	135 gr	95 gr	1,040 fps	553 ft-lbs
.41 Magnum	Ruger Blackhawk 6.5″	210 gr	90 gr	1,100 fps	806 ft-lbs
.44 Magnum	Colt Anaconda 6″	180 gr	120 gr	1,160 fps	896 ft-lbs
.44 Magnum	Ruger Alaskan 2.5″	180 gr	120 gr	1,050 fps	734 ft-lbs

The concept of duplex ammo is not new, though I’m not sure anyone has really perfected the concept. One of my favorite historical firearms that was designed to use duplex ammunition was the Winchester Salvo rifle. The Salvo rifle was a military prototype gun based on the FAL. The Salvo rifle sort-of welded two FAL receivers together to create a double mag, double barrel automatic rifle. The gun was chambered in a .22 caliber centerfire cartridge that was loaded with two projectiles in each load. So, with each pull of the trigger, four projectiles went downrange. You can read more about the Winchester Salvo rifle here.

The DoubleTap Equalizer line is currently available for a range of self-defense and hunting handguns. Calibers include 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, .41 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .454 Casull and .500 S&W Magnum.  The DoubleTap site isn’t the easiest to navigate and compare products, so I’ve listed the ammo loads here in this table. You can sort the table by column if you like.

A .38 Special cartridge was mentioned on the May 12, 2013 episode of Gun Talk by DoubleTap Ammunition’s CEO Mike McNett. I could not locate the load on the company’s website. However, McNett stated the new load will uses a 110 grain JHP and a 50 grain “hockey puck” for deep cutting damage.

If you have had a chance to shoot any of the DoubleTap Equalizer ammo, sound off in the comments section below. Love it or hate it – let your fellow shooters know what you think. In the meantime, I am going to try to land some .357 Magnum Doubletap Equilizer for review. I imagine this will be fun to get over a chronograph and check its penetration in ballistic gel.

Updated: April 3, 2022