hollow point match ammo? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

rogerxd45 · 10-03-2007, 02:01 PM

why does match ammo have a hollow point it seems like a pointed tip would be more aerodynamic then a hollow point that seems like it would catch air. if you stick a cup out a car window it has alot of drag if you put a cone out it has a whole lot less drag

cougar_guy04 · 10-03-2007, 02:50 PM

The way I've heard explained to me was that (for USPSA/IDPA/GSSF/etc action shooting) the hollow point was a more accurate bullet and also tore cleaner (or bigger?) holes in the paper. Also, in bowling pin matches (again, going by what someone told me) the HP grabs onto the pin instead of going right through it.

Again, this is just what I've been told, and most of it made sense to me, but I'll let the experts chime in for certain.

rogerxd45 · 10-03-2007, 03:08 PM

i was refering more to rifle ammo

fredj338 · 10-03-2007, 04:00 PM

When forming a bullet, gilding metal or copper cup is used. It's filled w/ a lead core then formed. The lead core needs to have soem place to go. It's either out the bas or tip. A seemless/solid base is more accurate than an open lead core base. It's why FMJ is open at the base. The hollow cav. also puts more of the bullets weight to the rear which enhances longer range accuracy.

Tomcat088 · 10-03-2007, 05:02 PM

What fred said is correct. Most match grade hollow points have a very consistent base, and more attention is paid to the uniformity and balance of the bullet. If the jacket is made properly, it is easy to have a nice uniform bullet, they merely pour only so many ounces of lead into the bullet. You could achieve this with and open lead base, but there are other factors that also influence how the bullet flies besides a uniform bullet. Since the front of the bullet is hollow, the center of gravity (weight as fred said) is further back in the bullet, which allows for it to be stabilized longer in the barrel and makes it harder for the bullet to tip or yaw. The most accurate loads are not always the fastest or the most aerodynamic, but the best stabilized bullet. Bullets can be overstabilized, so it's not the fastest spinning bullet either, but the "best stabilized" bullet. Ogive (taper of the bullet) does affect how "flat" the bullet shoots because of it's aerodynamic influence. At unknown distances or with wind that is changing alot, it can be a big advantage. BUT if things are consistent, gravity and drag are pretty constant variables, so the load doesn't have to get there fast or flat, just needs to be consistent every time. What you will see though is that most of the match grade hollow points are longer and more "pointy" than typical hunting bullets, even if they are hollow points, so although they might have a "hollow point" they still may shoot flatter and have better ballistics.

rogerxd45 · 10-03-2007, 08:13 PM

ok that makes a ton of sence and the reason they dont use plated is because its not as consitant as the way they do it now?

fredj338 · 10-03-2007, 09:01 PM

No, thin copper plating won't withstand the higher pressures & rotational forces on the bullet as it speeds down the bbl. Plated bullets, like Berry's or Ranier, are good for maybe 1400fps in shallow rifled bbls. Most modern rifle bullets are doing at least twice that.

10-03-2007, 02:01 PM	#1
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	hollow point match ammo? why does match ammo have a hollow point it seems like a pointed tip would be more aerodynamic then a hollow point that seems like it would catch air. if you stick a cup out a car window it has alot of drag if you put a cone out it has a whole lot less drag

10-03-2007, 02:50 PM	#2
cougar_guy04 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Turn East at Orlando Posts: 1,770	The way I've heard explained to me was that (for USPSA/IDPA/GSSF/etc action shooting) the hollow point was a more accurate bullet and also tore cleaner (or bigger?) holes in the paper. Also, in bowling pin matches (again, going by what someone told me) the HP grabs onto the pin instead of going right through it. Again, this is just what I've been told, and most of it made sense to me, but I'll let the experts chime in for certain. __________________ "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"

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10-03-2007, 03:08 PM	#3
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	i was refering more to rifle ammo

10-03-2007, 04:00 PM	#4
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,231	When forming a bullet, gilding metal or copper cup is used. It's filled w/ a lead core then formed. The lead core needs to have soem place to go. It's either out the bas or tip. A seemless/solid base is more accurate than an open lead core base. It's why FMJ is open at the base. The hollow cav. also puts more of the bullets weight to the rear which enhances longer range accuracy.

10-03-2007, 05:02 PM	#5
Tomcat088 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 688	What fred said is correct. Most match grade hollow points have a very consistent base, and more attention is paid to the uniformity and balance of the bullet. If the jacket is made properly, it is easy to have a nice uniform bullet, they merely pour only so many ounces of lead into the bullet. You could achieve this with and open lead base, but there are other factors that also influence how the bullet flies besides a uniform bullet. Since the front of the bullet is hollow, the center of gravity (weight as fred said) is further back in the bullet, which allows for it to be stabilized longer in the barrel and makes it harder for the bullet to tip or yaw. The most accurate loads are not always the fastest or the most aerodynamic, but the best stabilized bullet. Bullets can be overstabilized, so it's not the fastest spinning bullet either, but the "best stabilized" bullet. Ogive (taper of the bullet) does affect how "flat" the bullet shoots because of it's aerodynamic influence. At unknown distances or with wind that is changing alot, it can be a big advantage. BUT if things are consistent, gravity and drag are pretty constant variables, so the load doesn't have to get there fast or flat, just needs to be consistent every time. What you will see though is that most of the match grade hollow points are longer and more "pointy" than typical hunting bullets, even if they are hollow points, so although they might have a "hollow point" they still may shoot flatter and have better ballistics.

10-03-2007, 08:13 PM	#6
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	ok that makes a ton of sence and the reason they dont use plated is because its not as consitant as the way they do it now?

10-03-2007, 09:01 PM	#7
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,231	No, thin copper plating won't withstand the higher pressures & rotational forces on the bullet as it speeds down the bbl. Plated bullets, like Berry's or Ranier, are good for maybe 1400fps in shallow rifled bbls. Most modern rifle bullets are doing at least twice that.