Hollow Point Bullets

[Thumb]

I was wondering if you can buy hollow point bullets such as the ones used in the Liberty Civil Defense rounds +P .45 ACP 78gr hollow points or any other caliber?

At about $30/20rnds I think it would be cheaper if I could reload some so I could practice with them

 

[jonbearman]

They are probably a proprietary bullet made for them or by them and seriously doubt they will be for sale by anyone.A 78 grain bullet,really? It may go fast but wont have much knock down power.

 

[amlevin]

Lightweight bullets for self defense don't attract my attention. Yes, fast but I'd prefer something that has some "inertia" to it. Think "getting hit by a high speed paint ball versus a bowling ball at half the speed".

For both "defensive carry loads" and practice I use the Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point. Does all I need or want. (sorry Mr. Ayoob I don't believe your BS about never carrying handloads for SD).

 

[artbosco]

I was wondering if you can buy hollow point bullets such as the ones used in the Liberty Civil Defense rounds +P .45 ACP 78gr hollow points or any other caliber?

At about $30/20rnds I think it would be cheaper if I could reload some so I could practice with them

There are numerous hollow point bullets for the 45 ACP, 9mm, .380, and other calibers. The Hornady XTP and the new HAP (Hornady Action Pistol) bullets [a less costly version of the XTP] are a good start for your research.

 

[2506]

It is hard to beat the Gold Dot or the Hornady XTP in any caliber. I also carry handloads in my CCW weapons. 7 grs Unique with a 200 gr XTP is very accurate and pretty potent in a 45 ACP. 6 grs Unique and a 115 XTP is very accurate and packs a punch in 9mm. I have been using the XTP as of the past few years because I can't find any Gold Dots.

 

[Thumb]

OK, no problem with using those mentioned, I just wondered if the ones I mentioned were available.

 

[artbosco]

OK, no problem with using those mentioned, I just wondered if the ones I mentioned were available.

You said such as, but if you're now looking for that specific bullet, Liberty might reveal their source of supply.

 

[Syncrowave]

Lightweight bullets for self defense don't attract my attention. Yes, fast but I'd prefer something that has some "inertia" to it.

Plenty of inertia with fast bullets.
Since E = MV²
doubling the mass only doubles the energy and tripling the mass only triples the energy
but doubling the velocity increases the energy 4X and tripling the velocity increases the energy 9X.

If I can't use a grenade, I'll take a fast bullet. At 1900 f/s, I suspect those 78 gr HPs are ugly.

 

[Catfur]

Lightweight bullets for self defense don't attract my attention. Yes, fast but I'd prefer something that has some "inertia" to it.

Plenty of inertia with fast bullets.
Since E = MV²
doubling the mass only doubles the energy and tripling the mass only triples the energy
but doubling the velocity increases the energy 4X and tripling the velocity increases the energy 9X.

If I can't use a grenade, I'll take a fast bullet. At 1900 f/s, I suspect those 78 gr HPs are ugly.

Inertia is momentum, not kinetic energy. Momentum is MV, not 1/2MV^2. High energy, low inertia bullets (low sectional density) tend to dump all their energy quickly, causing lots of damage, but not penetrate deeply, making the damage extensive, but superficial.

 

[Syncrowave]

Inertia is momentum, not kinetic energy. Momentum is MV, not 1/2MV^2. High energy, low inertia bullets (low sectional density) tend to dump all their energy quickly, causing lots of damage, but not penetrate deeply, making the damage extensive, but superficial.

Interesting. I took physics in high school and college, but honestly don't remember much about "inertia" or "momentum." Thanks.

 

[people]

Put it where you want it and it will do the job.

Too much penetration is not good either.

 

[GotRDid]

For any bullet to do the work required to neutralize a threat, it has to hit the target. All above mentioned alternatives are excellent choices, and it truly comes down to how well you (the driver of that bullet) perform under such intense pressure.
As for too much penetration, I can't see any problem with the bad guy leaking from two holes. I will, however, assume one has done the tactically sound assessment of the surroundings before firing the first shot.
GotRDid.

 

[amlevin]

For any bullet to do the work required to neutralize a threat, it has to hit the target. All above mentioned alternatives are excellent choices, and it truly comes down to how well you (the driver of that bullet) perform under such intense pressure.
As for too much penetration, I can't see any problem with the bad guy leaking from two holes. I will, however, assume one has done the tactically sound assessment of the surroundings before firing the first shot.
GotRDid.

What I find interesting is all the discussion about over-penetration with handgun bullets. Bullets that have limited ranges to begin with at muzzle velocities and far less after they've "dropped" velocity having passed through a "body".

Most of the FBI reports I have read found that "under-penetration" was an issue with a lot of hollow point rounds.

One of the responsibilities associated with carrying a firearm for Self Defense is being aware of the background when you have to employ your weapon. I worry far less about over-penetration than I do about missing and hitting a bystander. Perhaps some NYPD officers should do so as well. Remember the shootout where they hit more innocent civilians than bad guys?

 

[dogdude]

I have similar 45 cal bullets, when shot into a 1 gallon jug of water, the bullets turn in to razor blades, real scary looking. These are in my back door gun.