All About Hollow Point Ammo
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over
hollow point ammo today.
Hollow point ammunition is employed by shooters of all types, making it some of the most common
ammunition on the market. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of this type of
ammunition while delving into traits, features, use cases, and more. Now, let’s go over hollow point
ammunition.
What are Hollow Points?
Hollow point ammunition, as the name suggests, is a term referring to
ammunition with hollow tipped projectiles.
Ammunition of this type, specifically in handgun use, is often referred to as jacketed hollow point, or JHP loadings. Often times, people call
ammunition of this type “hollow points” for simplicity’s sake. These types of loadings are distinct from standard full metal jacket (FMJ) loadings which feature solid projectiles. Hollow point loadings have become well-known for their performance in self-defense and duty use cases and are generally found in the form of pistol and rifle calibers.
In the realm of self-defense, a good hollow point is one which achieves both adequate penetration on target. Hollow point projectiles, due to their hollow tip, are less likely to pass completely through a target like FMJ loadings have a tendency to do. Optimally, a hollow point loading should defeat barriers like clothing and achieve effective penetration on target without punching all the way through. Manufacturers will generally produce hollow point loadings with grain weights and velocities conducive to achieving this desired level of penetration.
Additionally, most hollow point projectiles feature distinct “petals” which form along lines cut into the projectile itself. These lines allow for the projectile to expand upon impact, imparting a considerable amount of kinetic energy and tissue damage. Velocity again plays a role in the effectiveness and expansion of hollow point projectiles. A high velocity projectile stopping and rapidly expanding delivers an incredible effect on target, providing fight ending capabilities. Additionally, high velocities aid hollow point projectiles in expansion.
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What Are Hollow Points Used For?
Hollow point ammunition is most commonly employed in a defensive capacity. These types of loadings are carried by armed citizens and professional end users alike due to their performance. Hollow point
ammo is especially valuable for self-defense and duty use due to the tendency of the loading to not overpenetrate. This is especially appreciable and relevant when trying to eliminate and reduce the chance of collateral damage. Additionally, the tendency for these loadings to achieve desirable penetration on target before expanding on impact makes them quite valuable in for defense.
Hollow point type loadings are also employed in match and competition roles. Boattail hollow point (BTHP) and open tip match (OTM) projectiles are common in these types of loadings. These types of hollow points differ from standard defensive-oriented JHP loadings as they are not concerned with expansion. Hollow point projectiles on these loadings are present to promote flat trajectories, higher velocities, and greater accuracy potential.
Are Hollow Points Expensive?
Generally, speaking,
hollow point ammunition will tend to demand a bit of a premium over standard FMJ loadings. In some cases, this may only be a slight increase in price when compared to standard offerings. This is often the case with most standard hollow point
ammo found on the market. The price increase becomes more dramatic when specialty hollow point offerings are considered. Some of these offerings will feature proprietary projectiles and features which better optimize them for self-defense. Additionally, some of these more premium offerings can feature specialty projectiles and plated casings, increasing both performance and cost.
Who Makes Hollow Point Ammo?
At this point in time,
hollow point ammunition is produced by a wide range of companies. These companies produce hollow point
ammo for commercial sales and for use in duty and professional use cases. Companies across the globe produce general-purpose hollow point loadings and more specialized, exotic hollow point
ammo offerings.
Ammo manufacturers such as
Sellier & Bellot,
PMC,
Fiocchi, and
Aguila are among those who produce hollow point
ammunition. Additionally, specialty offerings are available from companies such as
Black Hills Ammunition,
Corbon,
Federal,
Hornady, and
Underwood to name a few.
Are Hollow Point Loadings Common?
At this point in time, there is a wide variety of
hollow point ammo available on the market. One will easily encounter hollow point loadings at most places one can find
ammo for sale. This is to say that more often than not, one will find
hollow point ammo alongside standard FMJ loadings at most brick-and-mortar stores. If you
buy ammo online, one will find that hollow point loadings are common and there is generally a larger selection available than many local
ammo shelves.
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Conclusion
All in all,
hollow point loadings are some of the most viable and common loadings one will find on the market. From training to match use and defensive use, one will be well-served by hollow point
ammo. These loadings can be found in a variety of popular calibers such as
9mm Luger,
.45 ACP,
5.56x45mm NATO, and
.22 Long Rifle to name a few. We here at True Shot Ammo have a wide range of
ammo for sale, specifically stocking many hollow point loadings. If you are looking to
buy ammo of this type or something else we stock, we here at True Shot Ammo have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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