By Jim Dickson |Contributing editor
Solids and FMJs hold their shape consistently, providing deep penetration.
There is much to be learned about bullet performance by looking at the bullets from the backstop.
My backstop is a sandy clay soil that expand anything that can be expanded. The recovered .45 ACP and .45 Colt bullets bring out some interesting points.
First and foremost is the fact that FMJ and hard cast lead are consistent performers holding up under the worst conditions while giving the deepest penetration. These are the ones you want for defense and hunting. You want the most penetration you can get for defensive use because your enemy will take cover if he has a chance and you need the bullet that will penetrate the most cover to get at him. For hunting large game, you also need penetration. With a .45 you already have a big enough hole.
Jackets can separate from bullets upon impact, which may be a problem with the overall effectiveness of the projectile.
The next point is that hollowpoints do not always expand and even then they may not expand properly. While they usually give good performance those times they do not can get you in trouble. Sometimes they expand beyond expectations as well which can be good in some situations but bad when you need more penetration. The point is that they are not perform with 100% consistency and reliability.
Jacketed soft points also can shed their jackets. How this effects the intended target can vary but it is not what we expect of them. Jacketed soft points shedding their jacket is so common though that perhaps this is what we should expect.
Difference between jacketed softpoints and solid copper bullets that expand as designed. Bullet at far left has lost its jacket. Next bullet has expanded with jacket visible. Bullets on the right opened up as intended.
The Black Hills Ammunition .44 magnum 160 grain solid copper Honeybadger does not deform or lose its shape.
Bullets hitting bullets can have some interesting effects for the curious. Aside from dramatic flattening and deformation they can fuse together as shown.
The bottom line is that the solids are the only consistent performers. That’s worth noting.
