How much of a problem is inconsistent expansion in today’s modern bullets (specifically 9mm)?
Hornady markets Flex Tip for preventing clogging. And I’m wondering how much consideration I should give to their solution. But I need to know more about the problem first.
My main concern is heavy clothing and civilian self defense. Anyone have tests results or research to show expansion inconsistencies?
Thanks. Jake.
Uh…one of the major problems exhibited by JHP handgun projectiles over the past several decades is hollowpoint plugging and bullets then failing to expand. The holy grail quest of all the ammo vendors has been to develop robust expanding projectiles that avoid this issue, along with offering projectiles having an acceptable penetration depth and good intermediate barrier capability.
Have you looked at any of the ammo testing discussing this?
For example: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=88092
Over the course of many years we (locally speaking) have never had a failure to expand of the 9mm 124gr +P Gold Dot, summer or winter, heavy clothes or not, launched from a S&W 5906, or G26 or G17 .
They often exit, but they always expand.
Just one data point for you.