hollow point Vs FMJ

Mick · 04-10-2008, 01:26 AM

I was talking to the guy at the gunshop today

He reckons hollow point bullets are more accurate than FMJ, I didn't argue with him cause I don't know, I just bought a box of FMJ and a box of hollow points, I aim to find out for myself.

Does anyone have any opinoins on this, is he right or is just the fact that hollow points are twice as expensive as FMJ that he recommended hollow point.

We are talking 150gr federals, FMJ and matchking projectiles.

AKHunter · 04-10-2008, 01:31 AM

Hollow points are more accurate at least in rifle bullet applications. That is the reason Match bullets are hollow point. The hollow point aerodynamics affect the air in such a way at the tip to create a more consistant and slippery passage through the air. I know that isn't explained as eloquently as can be but that in effect is the case.

irish murphy · 04-10-2008, 03:33 AM

It is true mick.You will find a lot of match grade projies are hollow points.Sierra and taipan match grade hollow points work awesome on paper.But on soft targets they dont expand very well.This is from my 303 data.I have tried a lot of different types of projies in 303.Not so many in 30cal.My opinion only mate but i wouldnt buy FMJ unless they shot well and were very cheap for use at the range.Then you have to be carefull to mate.Some ranges dont appreiciate FMJ ammo.Let us know what you come up with.What are you loading them into?your 30/06?

Mick · 04-10-2008, 04:57 AM

Yeah 30-06, they are federals so should be fairly decent brass and clean burning.
I only ordered one packet of each, it is a pity that up here unless you want .223 or 22-250 everything has to be ordered in unseen.

It will definitley be interesting to see the difference, What AKhunter said makes perfect sense to me and is what I suspected to be the case. Call me curious but I just have to see for myself.

Thanks for the info guys.

squirrelbaster · 04-10-2008, 04:17 PM

wow this is news to me, i never would have thought that hp are more accurate than fmj. learn somthing new everyday!

rfc357 · 04-10-2008, 04:53 PM

Go to the Sierra Bullets web site for information on why hollow point bullets are used for competition.

Mick · 04-11-2008, 02:33 AM

roger.

GlennM · 04-11-2008, 08:21 AM

The BC, ballistic coeffiency, is much better on HP's and a boattail. For match shooting, especially the long range matches, I -only- use BTHP. (Sierra Matchkings, for me).

Troy · 04-11-2008, 08:44 AM

yeah i woulda thought that any other design would have been more accurate than an hp. interesting.

scoutman · 04-11-2008, 01:17 PM

how about in 22LR is it the same with rimfire

mitch_mckee · 04-11-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

I was talking to the guy at the gunshop today

He reckons hollow point bullets are more accurate than FMJ, I didn't argue with him cause I don't know, I just bought a box of FMJ and a box of hollow points, I aim to find out for myself.

Does anyone have any opinoins on this, is he right or is just the fact that hollow points are twice as expensive as FMJ that he recommended hollow point.

We are talking 150gr federals, FMJ and matchking projectiles.

There are hollow points that are designed to expand on game and hollow points that are designed for accuracy.

For example, see the hollow point boat tail Sierras called Matchking vs the Varmiter:

Sierra Bullets - The Bulletsmiths

The Matchkings expand on game very little more than full metal jacket.

Mick · 04-11-2008, 05:33 PM

Ayuh, anyhow I did a little more research, I have found it's goint to be cheaper by at more than half to reload.
New brass powder primers and projectiles cost around a dollar a shot, to buy federal american eagle (the cheapest) factory loads is around $56 for a box of 20 almost three dollars.

Yes I will be using sierra match kings for a start. Apparently nosler make a good match grade projectile.

mitch_mckee · 04-11-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Ayuh, anyhow I did a little more research, I have found it's goint to be cheaper by at more than half to reload.
New brass powder primers and projectiles cost around a dollar a shot, to buy federal american eagle (the cheapest) factory loads is around $56 for a box of 20 almost three dollars.

Yes I will be using sierra match kings for a start. Apparently nosler make a good match grade projectile.

I like the Sierra 168 g. BTHP. (item #2200)

billy · 04-11-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch_mckee

I like the Sierra 168 g. BTHP. (item #2200)

so do many many other concerned with accuracy shooters

AKHunter · 04-12-2008, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by mitch_mckee (hollow point Vs FMJ)

I like the Sierra 168 g. BTHP. (item #2200)

so do many many other concerned with accuracy shooters
__________________
no matter how responsible he seems
dont give a monkey a gun

That particular bullet, I have seen refered to in text/articles in regard to accuracy and competition , more than any other .30 caliber bullet as the most accurate.

jaeger · 04-12-2008, 03:14 PM

168gr is a great projectile, however on windy days a 175gr hpbt is a little better.

mitch_mckee · 04-12-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaeger

168gr is a great projectile, however on windy days a 175gr hpbt is a little better.

I think the 175s are bettry for a slightly different twist in the rifling.

Mick · 04-14-2008, 05:23 AM

Me and my mate Lyndon went out today with my Sako .223 and his Tikka .222, trying for 300 yrds, I was using 55gr federal american eagle hp's, as well as 55gr highland lead tips. My mate had hand load 55gr lead tips.

The groupings for the Highland where so bad I stopped using them after 100yrds, after 2 shots the fouling in the barrel was so bad the 3rd shot would be always about 3 inches away from the other 2.

Federal American eagles where outstanding, at 200 yrds I was still holding a good 2 inch group of 5 shots. windage was a bit hows your father, but height wasn't a problem about 3 inch drop from 100 yrds. Moving out to 300 was a challenge, cause the wind started gusting and becoming very unpredictable, and the trajectory drop was about 14 inches from 200yrds, I still managed to hit the target with 4 out of 5 shots after sighters. The target was 12 inches square.

Lyndons handloads didn't fare so well, 100 yrds was fine with les then one inch groups but at 200 the gusty wind was blowing him all over the shop, (while I was still getting 2 inch groups) So he didn't try for 300.

I know this isn't really a good test for the subject of fmj v hp, but I know for a fact I'll use hollow points over lead tips now. And I definitley wont be buying Highland again.

GlennM · 04-14-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

I know this isn't really a good test for the subject of fmj v hp, but I know for a fact I'll use hollow points over lead tips now.

Actually, I thought your post was very useful. It was REAL world at 100, 200 & 300 and illustrated what a little wind can do to do groups. That, compared to "perfect world" ballistic charts, formulas and a sterile test lab environment that rarely shows the challenges facing hunters and long range shooters. Thanks.
GM

irish murphy · 04-14-2008, 07:24 AM

Highland ammo isnt worth a pinch of shit.But their brass is tops.I also use their projectiles a lot for BGR comp.Very cheap.$36 per 200 pills for 303 180gn spbt and 30cal 150gn sp.They also make a 168gn HPBT that works very well.30cal

04-10-2008, 01:26 AM	#1
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	hollow point Vs FMJ I was talking to the guy at the gunshop today He reckons hollow point bullets are more accurate than FMJ, I didn't argue with him cause I don't know, I just bought a box of FMJ and a box of hollow points, I aim to find out for myself. Does anyone have any opinoins on this, is he right or is just the fact that hollow points are twice as expensive as FMJ that he recommended hollow point. We are talking 150gr federals, FMJ and matchking projectiles. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

04-10-2008, 04:57 AM	#4
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Yeah 30-06, they are federals so should be fairly decent brass and clean burning. I only ordered one packet of each, it is a pity that up here unless you want .223 or 22-250 everything has to be ordered in unseen. It will definitley be interesting to see the difference, What AKhunter said makes perfect sense to me and is what I suspected to be the case. Call me curious but I just have to see for myself. Thanks for the info guys. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

04-10-2008, 04:17 PM	#5
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,233	wow this is news to me, i never would have thought that hp are more accurate than fmj. learn somthing new everyday! __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

04-11-2008, 02:33 AM	#7
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	roger. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

04-11-2008, 08:21 AM	#8
GlennM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 163 Blog Entries: 1	The BC, ballistic coeffiency, is much better on HP's and a boattail. For match shooting, especially the long range matches, I -only- use BTHP. (Sierra Matchkings, for me). __________________ A Matter of Timing - A Novel for all Patriots. Sneak Preview & Links here: www.gmillercompanies.com

04-10-2008, 01:31 AM	#2
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Hollow points are more accurate at least in rifle bullet applications. That is the reason Match bullets are hollow point. The hollow point aerodynamics affect the air in such a way at the tip to create a more consistant and slippery passage through the air. I know that isn't explained as eloquently as can be but that in effect is the case.

04-10-2008, 03:33 AM	#3
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	It is true mick.You will find a lot of match grade projies are hollow points.Sierra and taipan match grade hollow points work awesome on paper.But on soft targets they dont expand very well.This is from my 303 data.I have tried a lot of different types of projies in 303.Not so many in 30cal.My opinion only mate but i wouldnt buy FMJ unless they shot well and were very cheap for use at the range.Then you have to be carefull to mate.Some ranges dont appreiciate FMJ ammo.Let us know what you come up with.What are you loading them into?your 30/06?

04-10-2008, 04:53 PM	#6
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Go to the Sierra Bullets web site for information on why hollow point bullets are used for competition.

04-11-2008, 08:44 AM	#9
Troy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,501 Images: 3	yeah i woulda thought that any other design would have been more accurate than an hp. interesting.

04-11-2008, 01:17 PM	#10
scoutman Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 160	how about in 22LR is it the same with rimfire __________________ god made all man, but Samuel Colt made all man equal

04-11-2008, 05:33 PM	#12
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Ayuh, anyhow I did a little more research, I have found it's goint to be cheaper by at more than half to reload. New brass powder primers and projectiles cost around a dollar a shot, to buy federal american eagle (the cheapest) factory loads is around $56 for a box of 20 almost three dollars. Yes I will be using sierra match kings for a start. Apparently nosler make a good match grade projectile. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

04-12-2008, 03:14 PM	#16
jaeger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 289 Images: 3	168gr is a great projectile, however on windy days a 175gr hpbt is a little better.

04-14-2008, 05:23 AM	#18
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Me and my mate Lyndon went out today with my Sako .223 and his Tikka .222, trying for 300 yrds, I was using 55gr federal american eagle hp's, as well as 55gr highland lead tips. My mate had hand load 55gr lead tips. The groupings for the Highland where so bad I stopped using them after 100yrds, after 2 shots the fouling in the barrel was so bad the 3rd shot would be always about 3 inches away from the other 2. Federal American eagles where outstanding, at 200 yrds I was still holding a good 2 inch group of 5 shots. windage was a bit hows your father, but height wasn't a problem about 3 inch drop from 100 yrds. Moving out to 300 was a challenge, cause the wind started gusting and becoming very unpredictable, and the trajectory drop was about 14 inches from 200yrds, I still managed to hit the target with 4 out of 5 shots after sighters. The target was 12 inches square. Lyndons handloads didn't fare so well, 100 yrds was fine with les then one inch groups but at 200 the gusty wind was blowing him all over the shop, (while I was still getting 2 inch groups) So he didn't try for 300. I know this isn't really a good test for the subject of fmj v hp, but I know for a fact I'll use hollow points over lead tips now. And I definitley wont be buying Highland again. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

04-14-2008, 07:24 AM	#20
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Highland ammo isnt worth a pinch of shit.But their brass is tops.I also use their projectiles a lot for BGR comp.Very cheap.$36 per 200 pills for 303 180gn spbt and 30cal 150gn sp.They also make a 168gn HPBT that works very well.30cal