When you go to the shooting range, it’s easy to fall into the habit of only loading one type of ammunition into your firearm. As long as the ammunition fits into the chamber of your gun, why not use it?
The answer is quite simple. There are advantages to switching up your style of shoot from time to time. Specifically, there are two different types of ammunition that you should know about — soft point vs hollow point.
Let’s take a look at how these options differ from each other.
Bullet Design
Bullet design refers to the way a projectile is constructed and outfitted to achieve desired performance when fired. One type of design is the difference between soft point and hollow point ammunition.
Soft point ammunition consists of a jacket, not entirely surrounding the lead core, allowing the soft lead to expand on impact. The goal of this design is for the round to expand as it enters a target, creating a greater surface area to cause more tissue damage.
Conversely, the hollow point ammunition consists of a soft lead core, surrounded by a jacket of harder metal that is designed to expand upon impact, creating a wider wound channel inside the target. The main purpose of this design is for greater accuracy and to cause the projectile to expand once it reaches its target.
Expansion Upon Impact
Soft point ammunition is designed to expand upon impact when the bullet hits its target. This creates a larger wound in the target. The bullet has a softer point designed to open up upon impact, which increases the size of the wound it creates.
Hollow point ammunition is most often used for self-defense. This is because the bullet is designed to expand upon impact to create a larger wound in its target. This type of ammunition creates more stopping power because it expands and creates a bigger compensating surface area.
Penetration
Soft point bullets are designed for better penetration. They are made of full metal jacketed heavy bullets that are designed to expand and penetrate deep into a target. They can be used for hunting or even defense purposes.
Hollow point bullets are designed for more expansion than penetration. They will expand inside the target, causing more damage. They are commonly used by law enforcement and personal defense.
Both types of ammunition like the 22 wmr ammo will penetrate a target, but hollow point ammo is designed to maximize the amount of damage caused on impact.
Legality and Restrictions
Soft point ammo has restrictions due to its ability to cause more damage than other types of ammo. These bullets are designed for hunting and can penetrate further than other types of ammo. Soft point rounds are illegal in some jurisdictions due to their capability to cause greater harm than traditional ammo.
Hollow point rounds, on the other hand, are not subject to the same restrictions as soft points and are generally considered acceptable for defensive use. Hollow points are designed to expand upon impact, causing more tissue damage and greater stopping power. Unlike soft points, hollow points are not illegal in most places and can be used in almost any self-defense or hunting situation.
Learn to Compare Soft Point vs Hollow Point Ammunition
Soft point and hollow point ammunition are both great choices for defensive and hunting applications. Ultimately, the best choice is up to the user. Try both rounds for yourself and make an educated decision that fits your needs while you compare soft point vs hollow point. Similarly, for those looking to enhance their firearm’s performance, ProArmory’s guide on buying linear muzzle compensators offers comprehensive insights into selecting the best muzzle accessory for your needs.
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Amanda Byers is a graduate of Columbia, where she played volleyball and annoyed a lot of professors. Now as Zobuz’s entertainment and Lifestyle Editor, she enjoys writing about delicious BBQ, outrageous style trends and all things Buzz worthy.
