Why hollow point for home defense

I dug the bullets out after firing and those that missed the cans had their nose filled with black stick and hadn't really expanded. I'll take my chances. I'm with steve, my. Most people will find it a justifiable shoot and not even bother with an autopsy but if the do there is a dead body filled with whatever you shoot him with and thats that. If you cut the guy in half then so be it. Dead men tell no tales! You probably will be sued in civil court which is for money not jail time. Just be propared, you'll loose a couple of grand defending youself but that's the way the system works, unless its just a crack head with no money then you will be alright.

It sucks either way and I'm sorry, but the only people that really get sued are city or state officers that roll thier own. And that is only because it is worth a LOT of money to sue the state. While we are on the subject of getting sued by a wounded bad guy it would be a good time to bring up some redneck logic of my very own. If the situation is ever to arise where you need to shoot, double tap When there is only one version to the story, there is much less wiggle room.

If somebody needs shot they need shot a bunch. Just a thought. Never use reloads even if they are reduced loads to prevent less damage.

Always use factory ammo and make sure your NRA Membership is up to date!!! To answer your question, I went thru training for 2nd Man qualification for Law Enforcement. I carry pending on the environment and threat condition, grain Black Talons, Federal Hydro Shocks or grain Military Ball in my 45ACP, never carry reloads except for hunting and for plinking period!!!!!!!

I say no as well for an answer. You have the right to protect yourself and your property. Just use factory ammo it sounds like. Didn't know that myself. Right Rail 1. Top Active Users. Right Rail 2. Latest Topics. Reply to Consequences? Easy fellas, Rittenhouse's trial is big now, but consider Sanderson. Remember that? If it expands to 1. Some ammo will expand to nearly double its original diameter.

So why not design bullets that expand as much as possible? Because penetration and expansion work against each other. The more a bullet expands, the less it will penetrate due to friction. This balance between expansion and penetration is a sophisticated act. What makes it even tougher is that bullets need to perform within design parameters even though they might have passed through a variety of barriers in front of the target like clothing, glass, wood, or automotive steel.

With so many potential variables, how to ammunition manufacturers optimize their designs? Enter the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI ballistic laboratories have developed a rigorous and carefully designed ammunition testing protocol to help them objectively compare the performance of different calibers and ammunition types.

When you consider the number of calibers, ammo companies, and unique loadings per manufacturer, it quickly becomes apparent that there are a nearly infinite number of variables. The FBI test protocols give the agency a way to compare.

While no lab test can accurately predict performance on the street, this test is generally considered the best overall approach and has been adopted industry-wide. Ammo companies design their offerings to excel in as many categories as possible in these FBI test scenarios.

What varies is what is in front of those blocks. Barriers are put in place to simulate no clothing, heavy clothing, doors, walls, windows, and cars. Ideally, a bullet will expand and penetrate properly after passing through any of these barriers. Most of the tests are performed from a distance of 10 feet, but a couple of the scenarios are replicated at 20 yards. The tests call for bullets to penetrate to a minimum of 12 inches and maximum of 18 and expansion is carefully measured.

When you consider angles and the possibility of a bullet striking extremities first, the need for a bullet to travel 12 inches becomes clear. In the Miami shootout of , agents delivered what would have been fatal hits to the armed subjects had their ammo penetrated deeply enough. Over-penetration is seen as a drawback too. Not only does the agency not want to see bullets pass through targets and risk hitting bystanders, over penetration implies wasted energy that could have aided additional expansion.

As a result, bullets that penetrate under 12 inches and over 18 are penalized in the scoring system. The wide range of scenarios quickly weeds out the poor performing ammunition from the more sophisticated loads.

Auto glass and steel can blunt the bullet and cause a similar result. There have been a number of ammunition solutions to this plugging problem over the years that went beyond designing a better hollow-point bullet. Every handgun owner should take the time to research and practice with all types of ammunition to decide which works best and fits their specific needs. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of hollow point ammunition will give gun owners the knowledge to make the correct choice.

How to Spot a Hollow Point A deep dimple in the nose of the bullet is the best known and easily recognizable feature of hollow point bullets. These bullets are designed to expand on contact with the target, thus creating a larger hole and increasing the stopping power of the firearm. When seen in comparison to a round nose or ball ammunition, the differences are easy to see.

The Advantages of Hollow Points When it comes to self-defense, a handgun loaded with hollow point bullets has a few advantages over one loaded with full metal jacket or round nosed lead bullets. When an attacker is in full force, the stopping power of your ammunition is especially important. Hollow points expand, much like an umbrella, upon contact. This means an increase in the force it delivers when the bullet hits its mark.

Can one type of bullet really be considered safer than others? In the case of hollow points, yes.