Hornady XTP in self defense

[dradave]

Just wondering, does a .45 Hornady 230gn HP XTP bullet really have time to expand from within the seven yards distance in a self defense situation or would a normal 230gn FMJ work just as well?

 

[Rule3]

The distance to the target does not matter. Its how fast it's going out of the barrel for the HP or any HP to open. That's why they have the big ad campaign for "short barrel" ammo. Bigger hollow points or blobs of silicon inside so they do not clog up with clothing material.

Does it matter? Probably not. A 45 is a 45 it it expands OK, if it doesn't OK also

But at close range a FMJ might be a through and through.

FWIW I use HP's

 

[Bula]

correct, flight time doesn't open them up, impact does. I beleive you can get performance spec data on the Hornady component site. My vote is, push them to ball spec, and they'll perform as advertised.

 

[A and O]

I'm stocking up on pumpkins to find out the answer to your question. All my neighbors are contributing to the cause. Going to be fun and sorta scientific even.

 

[rfwobbly]

You might visit the Box O Truth. He's tested about everything!

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

 

[ATAShooter]

a XTP will expand even if it is a 1 foot away belly shot. XTP is an excellent defense bullet. I also like the expansion of a Barnes XPB.

 

[cougar1717]

It's the velocity at impact that matters. Distance to target (within reason) does not determine whether a HP bullet will expand. I can't answer about FMJ vs HP in 45 Auto, but just make sure the HP's cycle reliably if you go that route.

 

[rcmodel]

or would a normal 230gn FMJ work just as well?

As already noted, HP bullet expansion takes place inside the target due to hydraulic pressure of body fluids inside the HP cavity. It has nothing to do with distance, at least until the bullet has slowed down so much at long range it won't expand as much, or at all.

IMO: A JHP is always superior to a RN-FMJ in any caliber when it comes to tissue damage and stopping a fight in the shortest time possible.

.45 ACP RN-FMJ may also cause over-penetration problems because it slips through the target without slowing down much.

A JHP that opens is like popping the drag chute out on a funny-car dragster. Even if it does completely penetrate the target, it will have lost most of it's velocity & energy in the target, not on someone on down the street walking the dog.

rc

 

[dradave]

Thanks all for the replies. I learn something new everyday. I'll look at the links posted when I get more time.

Thanx...

 

[FWest]

I was out doing some back yard testing of JHP 9MM last weekend. Kind of inspired by a thred about reload SD ammo. I purchased some PDX1 124gn+p bonded and reloaded some XTP also 124gn with 4.1 of 231. I shot them from a XD9 SC from 15 feet. Used 3 1 gallon jugs stuffed with wet newspaper and a 2.5 gallon bucket with stacked up whole wet newspaper to catch the rounds. I took some pics with my phone, not good pictures but good enough to see the difference. I was surprised by what I found. *Forgot to add I taped 2 layers of denim to the first jug.