SJHP Advantage?

MikeNice · Mar 16, 2011

Is there really any advantage to carrying a semi-jacketed hollow point round for self defense?

I was talking to a friend that use to be the weapons specialist for a small police department. He said that he always encouraged guys to carry SJHPs in their back up .38spls. His reasoning was, if the hollow point gets clogged at least you have a semi jacketed soft point. That should give you some expansion. If you use a regular hollow point and it clogs you have a FMJ and no ex[ansion.

I've heard from others that a SJSP isn't really going to get any expansion from a short barrel .38spl even at +p levels. So, is there really any advantage to a SJHP?

This is one of the topics that has befuddled me for the last year. I haven't really found any good information on the differences in performance between SJHP and regualr or bonded HPs.

I know there is no magic bullet. For some reason though I keep feeling drawn to the Double Tap 125gr+P SJHP and Remmington Express 125gr+P SJHP witht he scalloped jacket. I just want to make sure I'm not giving up performance in a major way by going with a SJHP.

klutchless · Mar 16, 2011

I use the Hornady critical defense will not plug while going through clothing.The only sjhp I shoot is a rem 357 and it hits like a brick anyway. I do see your friends point it would be better to have a sjhp in a higher vilocity round.

pioneer461 · Mar 17, 2011

There are hollow points and then again, there are hollow points. Not all are created equal. Over the decades since HP bullets have been around, a lot has been learned. Hollow point bullets depend on velocity to penetrate sufficiently and to mushroom (expand) reliably. With the present movement of concealed carry guns with shorter barrel lengths, it has been found that some HP bullets don't expand sufficiently, or at all in real world shootings. Other factors such as thick clothing on the target will clog the HP cavity and cause the bullet to fail to expand. In a sense, they act just like FMJ bullets. I have personally seen this professionally when viewing autopsies and emergency surgery.

Ammo makers responded to those issues, and have engineered bullet design to expand on a more consistent basis when fired from shorter barrels and resulting lower velocity. Additionally, some ammo makers have found that by placing a soft polymer filler in the hollow point cavity, and by scoring the inside of the bullet's jacket, consistent, reliable expansion results.

The early pioneers in this technology were CorBon with their Pow-R-Ball ammo, and Federal's Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) ammo. Hornady has recently entered the controlled expansion ammo market with their Critical Defense ammo. There may be others as well.

Selecting self defense ammo is no place to go cheap. Cheap ammo is ok for the range, but for self defense why would you not want the best ammo you can get your hands on? Do your research and look for ammo specifically engineered for self defense, and that which will expand through barriers and shorter barrels.

Finally, no matter what ammo you select for self defense, make sure it works in your gun(s). Some firearms are ammo sensitive and you really don't want to find out if it works or not in a self defense situation. The loudest sound you will ever hear in a gun fight is, CLICK.

Remllez · Mar 17, 2011

Is your question about SJHP (semi jacket hollow point) or SJSP (semi jacket soft point?)
I find the semi jacket soft points do expand even if shot thru a couple layers of denim into water jugs. Not sure how scientific it is but it convinced me that it is a good choice for standard velocity .38 special. The copper jacket seems to help drive the slug while the lead expands around the jacket. By the way I shoot them from a Smith model 49 Bodyguard.

The Lone Haranguer · Mar 17, 2011

Is there really any advantage to carrying a semi-jacketed hollow point round for self defense?

In a revolver. You don't see these for auto pistol rounds due to feeding problems, as the exposed lead tends to mash against feed ramps. I see no advantage, however, over a modern design hollowpoint.

MikeNice · Mar 17, 2011

Rem, I was asking about SJHP. I was told, the advantage is that in a worst case scenario you get a SJSP which is still better than a FMJ.

I am talking about a 2" .38spl firing +p loaded bullets.

Pioneer, it isn't about saving money. I will be the first to say go for a Ranger T Series, Gold Dot, or Federal HST in most auto calibers. I am wondering mainly because right now I am carrying a revolver. That means more options. I like to know as much as I can about all of my options.

I like to have as much info as possible, usually. It makes me much more comfortable.

orionengnr · Mar 18, 2011

Hmmmm...
In a 4" or better revolver, the Remington 125 gr SJHP approaches legendary status. In a 2" snubby, I would be using a Short Barrel load.

Speer seems to be taking the vanguard in this technology. Take a look at their 135 grain short barrel loads.

mljdeckard · Mar 18, 2011

I have said many times that I think Hornady CD is a solution looking for a problem. I see evidence neither of a common problem of cloth affecting hollow-point expansion in general, nor that CD is any more or less likely to expand than any other premium defensive round.

ChristopherG · Mar 18, 2011

The SJHP is an older technology that attempted to deal with the problem of ensuring expansion at varying velocities. There are better, more reliable JHP's now than there were when the SJHP was created. Seek a bonded top of the line HP like the Speer Gold Dot or the Winchester Ranger. If your gun is a short barreled revolver you will get better and more reliable expansion with one of these (especially the 135 grain Gold Dot +p) than from a SJHP.

In a service size (i.e. 4" or more) gun shooting at magnum velocities, a SJHP will probably perform just fine (though it will still stand a greater chance of fragmenting and penetrating less thoroughly than a bonded bullet).

SJHP Advantage?

MikeNice

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klutchless

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pioneer461

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Remllez

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The Lone Haranguer

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MikeNice

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