Question about the shapes of lead in pistols vs rifles

[JTH]

Quick and simple question, why aren't pistol round lead pointed? Seems it would be more aerodynamic or does it have to with the smaller load and rounded shape lead will do more damage to target, especially people targets!

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Most pistol rounds are, or very soon will be after firing, subsonic. Moreover, the larger frontal area is more disruptive to tissue, and less reliant on expansion, which happens less reliably at lower velocities.

 

[Deus Machina]

Just nature of the beast.

A relatively ball-shaped nose feeds better in most pistol designs.
At their velocity, a large frontal area causes a larger wound.
Most importantly, a bullet of the same length with a pointier nose weighs less. Any aerodynamic advantage is instantly overcome by the loss of mass.

 

[Jim Watson]

A pointed bullet would take up more room in revolver cylinder or pistol magazine, leaving less space for powder or making the gun big and unwieldy. Pistol ranges are usually short enough not to benefit from the aerodynamics of a spitzer bullet anyhow.

 

[Maverick223]

A relatively ball-shaped nose feeds better in most pistol designs.
At their velocity, a large frontal area causes a larger wound.
Most importantly, a bullet of the same length with a pointier nose weighs less. Any aerodynamic advantage is instantly overcome by the loss of mass.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[JTH]

Thanks guys. Covered my question and then some. I've learn alot since joining THR. I'm within 5 years of considering retirement, since moving back to a metro area (Austin), I can think of 10 to 1 reasons for moving back to a rural area in NE Tx around Lake Fork, where I lived for a couple of years, while teaching at a high school in the area. If the SHTF, I have fishing, deer, hogs an water to live on. It sure would be a beech trying to live w/o a/c in the summer though. Always can look into a small wind turbine or solar panels but would not be cheap.