matsaleh
Member
Can someone enlighten me as to when I would want to use soft point instead of hollow point, or vice versa? I know how they are functionally different, but what are the ballistic and/or tactical differences?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hollow Point vs. Soft Point?
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Snowdog
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There are exceptions to every rule, but in general, soft points offer greater penetration than hollow points, while hollow points are more destructive in the depths they penetrate than soft points.
Some like the idea of hollow points for defensive use as they are believed to expand and fragment violently, shedding their energy in the target. The result is tremendous tissue damage, though a wound shallower than that caused by a soft point.
Soft points expand and penetrate deeply, fragmenting very little in comparison. They can also be used in defensive applications (from humans), but are more often encountered by hunters who need the deep penetration of a bullet that will stay together after impact. The tissue damage encountered in the initial few inches of penetration may not be as substantial as that caused by the hollow point, but the wound will likely be far deeper, reaching/damaging the vitals that the hollow point may not have reached.
It's best to keep in mind that many of the HPs offered for rifles today are not made for defense, but for increased accuracy. The 168gr .308/.30-06 hollow point was not intended to expand, but offer match-grade accuracy to the marksman. Likewise, the hollow points imported from Russia for the 7.62x39 do not expand in the traditional way.
However, many of these rounds do fragment as they rapidly yaw, reverse orientation and travel base-forward. From my readings and personal research, this causes the bullet to violently fragment as the exposed lead rear of the bullet makes contact with the medium under extreme pressures. The result is much like that of a traditional hollow point, with the bullet expanding from the rear-forward. All the Wolf and Silverbear HP rounds I’ve tested did exactly this.
The empty pocket beneath the hollow cavity creates a condition that makes the bullet rear-heavy. Thus, the bullet is inclined to lose stability rapidly after impact with a soft target.
Some FMJs, such as Soviet 5.45x39, take advantage of this characteristic by leaving an area of dead space just below the tip of the bullet and the inner core.
In summary, hollow points are fragmentation prone (yielding shallow penetration), generally used for target work or defense/offense against humans, while soft points (that can also be used in this regard), are sought after for their deeper penetration in harvesting game.
Some like the idea of hollow points for defensive use as they are believed to expand and fragment violently, shedding their energy in the target. The result is tremendous tissue damage, though a wound shallower than that caused by a soft point.
Soft points expand and penetrate deeply, fragmenting very little in comparison. They can also be used in defensive applications (from humans), but are more often encountered by hunters who need the deep penetration of a bullet that will stay together after impact. The tissue damage encountered in the initial few inches of penetration may not be as substantial as that caused by the hollow point, but the wound will likely be far deeper, reaching/damaging the vitals that the hollow point may not have reached.
It's best to keep in mind that many of the HPs offered for rifles today are not made for defense, but for increased accuracy. The 168gr .308/.30-06 hollow point was not intended to expand, but offer match-grade accuracy to the marksman. Likewise, the hollow points imported from Russia for the 7.62x39 do not expand in the traditional way.
However, many of these rounds do fragment as they rapidly yaw, reverse orientation and travel base-forward. From my readings and personal research, this causes the bullet to violently fragment as the exposed lead rear of the bullet makes contact with the medium under extreme pressures. The result is much like that of a traditional hollow point, with the bullet expanding from the rear-forward. All the Wolf and Silverbear HP rounds I’ve tested did exactly this.
The empty pocket beneath the hollow cavity creates a condition that makes the bullet rear-heavy. Thus, the bullet is inclined to lose stability rapidly after impact with a soft target.
Some FMJs, such as Soviet 5.45x39, take advantage of this characteristic by leaving an area of dead space just below the tip of the bullet and the inner core.
In summary, hollow points are fragmentation prone (yielding shallow penetration), generally used for target work or defense/offense against humans, while soft points (that can also be used in this regard), are sought after for their deeper penetration in harvesting game.
La Pistoletta
Member
So soft points are somewhere between JHP and FMJ in penetration and tissue damage? A kind of intermediate?
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