Burt Blade
Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2004
- Messages
- 477
One problem with the science of terminal ballistics: the darn perps won't follow the studies! Some of these felonious morons just cannot read the box that promises Dead right There!
So what to do? I generally look at JHPs as “bonus” rounds. If it actually expands, it is a bonus. If it will work as a solid, then I can accept it. A 230 grain .45 FMJ can reliably be counted upon to produce an approximately .45 caliber hole. A 230 grain .45 JHP should not do any less. Does it also feed 100% in my 1911? OK, we have a winner. 230 grain HydraShock works for me.
You cannot with certainty count on a JHP round to prevent over-penetration, or to “smithereen” your attackers innards. You may get a bonus of enough effect to make up for less-than-ideal placement. But even fully expanded and spot-on-target, it may still exit and continue on.
Actual controlled-study field-tests of defensive ammunition in realistic conditions are rather strongly frowned upon by most of civilized society and the law, so we have to make do with soup bones and jello, and comparisons to various four-legged critters.
And it certainly keeps folks busy on forums like this.
So what to do? I generally look at JHPs as “bonus” rounds. If it actually expands, it is a bonus. If it will work as a solid, then I can accept it. A 230 grain .45 FMJ can reliably be counted upon to produce an approximately .45 caliber hole. A 230 grain .45 JHP should not do any less. Does it also feed 100% in my 1911? OK, we have a winner. 230 grain HydraShock works for me.
You cannot with certainty count on a JHP round to prevent over-penetration, or to “smithereen” your attackers innards. You may get a bonus of enough effect to make up for less-than-ideal placement. But even fully expanded and spot-on-target, it may still exit and continue on.
Actual controlled-study field-tests of defensive ammunition in realistic conditions are rather strongly frowned upon by most of civilized society and the law, so we have to make do with soup bones and jello, and comparisons to various four-legged critters.
And it certainly keeps folks busy on forums like this.