If not hollow-points, then what ammo for SD?

P

Pond James Pond

New member
If you choose not to use hollow-points, but opt for another profile, what would you choose.

I anticipate that the calibre will dictate the answer somewhat so lets offer 3:
9mm Luger, because I have one (presently FMJ)
.44 Mag, because I have one (presently SJSP)
.45 ACP because it seems very popular and is between the two above in ballistics

So which bullet type and why?
 
I want hollow points because that is what local LE uses: They deem them to be the best for personal defense, which is the object of the excercise.

Barring HP's, I want something that expands as a HP would, like Pow'R Ball or EFMJ.....
 
Lead SWCs. I know they work, I've shot everything from snakes, coyotes, dogs, up to and including Moose and Buffalo.

They work.
 
Instead of a Hornady TAP (hollow point), I now use the Hornady Critical Defense in my CC. It is closed to an insert point that allows the bullet to penetrate cloth and bone before opening. It was developed in colaboration of the CIA.
 
In my opinion and research, I'm always looking at the size and length of the permanent wound cavity. Bigger the better. If you look around the forums a bit there are a couple of threads discussing the use of full wad cutters (albeit 38 specials) as self defense ammunition. Very interesting links.

I really don't plan on hollow points opening up at pistol velocities. Even the best hollow points have failures depending on circumstances and obstacles. I believe it is first and foremost shot placement, then the damage and hemorrhaging done in the permanent wound cavity.

If the premise is no hollow points, I'd use the biggest, most blunt profile that will run the gun. In an auto, that is more challenging. I can use semi wad cutters in my 45 ACP guns and they do leave a nice neat hole. And, I'm sure that I could get my 9MM Glock to run a semi wad cutter as well. I just never have tried. The revolvers will shoot anything, the flattest meplat profile I could find (Keith type semi wad cutters and the like).

Since I don't have to limit myself to non hollow point ammo, I use Speer Gold Dot hollow points for all of my carry ammunition, generally speaking.

I'm guessing your question is because where you live hollow point ammo is forbidden or amazingly expensive?
 
It depends, if possible I'd rather use some sort of ballistic tipped bullet. But if it's smaller ammo, then I'd use lead tipped ammo. Yes, hollow points can do more damage but what if it's winter and they are wearing a lot of heavy clothes, how well is that .22 gonna do with hollowpoints?
I have a friend who keeps all of revolvers loaded in his house. He has every other bullet fmj and every other bullet a hollow point. So far, the only invader of his property has been a possum he shot with a .44 mag, but the idea is good.
 
Anything but round nose,,,

Flat nose FMJ is a better choice than any round nose bullet.

Round nose bullets have a tendency to simply push tissue aside,,,
Any kind of flattened surface will cut body tissue better.

Aarond
 
Made my choice a long time ago, for soft skinned two legged dirt bag who wants to hurt my family or me and take my stuff it is LSWC in any of my defensive handguns. 38 spcl, .357, 41 mag, 44 spcl or 44 mag.

That being said if I had something else in the gun at the time whatever it was in those calibers it would still ruin his day. More worried about where to hit him and less with what I hit him with.
 
Flat point if semi-auto or wadcutter if revolver... .45 ACP, 9mm, .357 Mag, .44 Spc, .44 Mag... just nothing smaller than .38 Spc for me.
 
I choose to use JHPs because they're the most effective and I would never choose anything else unless I'm outdoors and worried about bears.

If I were not allowed to have JHPs I would wove because that state is obviously run by crackpots. And finally to cover the way-out-there-just-because hypothetical scenario, If for whatever reason JHPs were not an option I would get a .45acp with expanding FMJ.
 
I'm guessing your question is because where you live hollow point ammo is forbidden or amazingly expensive?
Click to expand...

Yup!

It's the former!

I'm going to start looking up all these abbreviations!!
FMJ, I know... but the rest...:o
 
My semis I use FMJ the revolver 357 or 44mag soft nose semi jacketed, goes deep and will expand a little.
 
Master Blaster, the military uses FMJ for two reasons, Hague Convention of 1927 and cost.


Does Federal still make the Expanding Full Metal Jacket round? That's MADE for Jersey!
 
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