I want to buy some 308s. I don't know enough about it. I understand hollow points, and what they do. I figure FMJ will penetrate better. Seems these Fed 168 BTHPs are real accurate and good. But, what kinf of advantages or things will the fmj do at distances, that the HP won't. What type of objects or while experminting, have you guys seen a difference in one will do, that the other won't?? At what distances would you say one would or wouldn't penetrate vests etc. ??
308 , FMJ vs HP
- Thread starter pumkin
- Start date
I bought almost 200 rounds of Fed 168gr Matchkings BTHP, I was thinking I'd like to accumulate a mix of diff type slugs. I also got a bunch of Herters 150 gr fmj. What will fmj penetrate that the hp wont. I'm trying to stock up on this type thing for future protection, and think the availability of this may dry up soon. Anybody have any educated guesses at what yardage either of these will or wont penetrate body armor or lets say 1/8" steel??
Spats McGee
Administrator
Welcome to TFL, pumkin! Your question is really better suited to "Rifles, General Discussions" than the "TFL Photo Contest" forum. I'd suggest PM'ing a moderator to move it. I think your thread will get more action that way.
There are 2 types of hollow points.
Hunting/defense hollow points are to aid rapid expansion in a soft target.
Match hollow points, where the hollow point is part of the design & manufacturing process, to improve uniformity.
You are talking 168 gr Federal so I assume you are referring to .308.
In this case, it is match ammunition, designed for accuracy out to 800 yards or so. Beyond that, depending on temperature and altitude, they tend to drop subsonic, and those particular bullets don't exactly have a good reputation for handling that well.
Herters FMJ is to put it kindly, cheap mass produced Russian ammo re-branded by a Malaysian company and sold by Cabelas. It is blasting ammo.
Really apples and oranges.
As to penetration, both will probably go through 1/8 mild steel, but bounce off armor plate.
As to body armor, I have no idea. I have no interest in shooting people in body armor...
Hunting/defense hollow points are to aid rapid expansion in a soft target.
Match hollow points, where the hollow point is part of the design & manufacturing process, to improve uniformity.
You are talking 168 gr Federal so I assume you are referring to .308.
In this case, it is match ammunition, designed for accuracy out to 800 yards or so. Beyond that, depending on temperature and altitude, they tend to drop subsonic, and those particular bullets don't exactly have a good reputation for handling that well.
Herters FMJ is to put it kindly, cheap mass produced Russian ammo re-branded by a Malaysian company and sold by Cabelas. It is blasting ammo.
Really apples and oranges.
As to penetration, both will probably go through 1/8 mild steel, but bounce off armor plate.
As to body armor, I have no idea. I have no interest in shooting people in body armor...
You can shoot through trees with FMJ ball. The stuff will also slap against tree sides, ricochet out of the dirt, and someone each year is getting killed by FMJ ricochets.
The more frangible bullets will fall about.
FMJ bullets are military bullets, designed not to expand in a person, thus making it “humane”, a bogus idea created solely to embarrass the British in the 1899. By design they have to penetrate non armored vehicles, buildings.
They are cheap, most are very inaccurate, and they are banned at a surprising number of ranges because the things come out of the berms at weird angles.
The more frangible bullets will fall about.
FMJ bullets are military bullets, designed not to expand in a person, thus making it “humane”, a bogus idea created solely to embarrass the British in the 1899. By design they have to penetrate non armored vehicles, buildings.
They are cheap, most are very inaccurate, and they are banned at a surprising number of ranges because the things come out of the berms at weird angles.
thanks for your guys info. The 168 fed prem matchkings that I got aren't uniform on the end though. Most of the slugs have the appearance like someone snipped the ends off at an angle, about 15-20 degrees slope.
I know the herters is low grade, but want to expermint w/ it. I ordered a 308 rifle, wrong one got sent, factory has no more, been out of luck on being able to shoot any. Thanks again for the input.
I know the herters is low grade, but want to expermint w/ it. I ordered a 308 rifle, wrong one got sent, factory has no more, been out of luck on being able to shoot any. Thanks again for the input.
Hollow point bullets are not always designed for expansion. The smooth uniform base of the bullet is what effects accuracy. Hollow point and soft point bullets are formed this way. The FMJ's usually have exposed lead bases which are not as uniform. This potentially changes the flight pattern of the bullet.
Typically the hollow point bullet is the choice for accuracy.
Typically the hollow point bullet is the choice for accuracy.