Accuracy of JHP vs FMJ

[bbbean]

For competition use, what's the difference between JHP and FMJ ammo? I've heard some folks argue that JHP is slightly more accurate, but I've never seen anything authoritative on the subject.

Your thoughts?

[Hazcat]

I would have thought FMJ would be more accurate, but I kinda remember hearing about the JHP myself.

[m25operator]

In a given weight, a hollow point is usually longer, giving more bearing surface, especially in handgun ammunition, look at 45acp ball next to a HP and you will see a big difference. As to accuracy, I have had great luck with both, but in 9mm or .355 I definitely  give the nod to HP.

[Big Frank]

Decades ago hollowpoints weren't as accurate as FMJ because they weren't as consistent, but how there are several "premium" HPs such as XTPs that are generally more accurate than FMJ. It helps having a round hole in the middle instead a lopsided off-center hole that gave hollowpoints a bad rep way back when.

[MikeBjerum]

Several shooters I have met when visitning Ben Avery in AZ swear by JHP.  It shocked me.  I thought that a smooth point would be better, but most of the ones I talked to that shoot .223 are using 69 grain JHP with a 1 in 8 or 1 in 7.5 twist.  They told me not to get married to anything until I had tried several different bullets, powder loads and headspacing in my gun.  Then once I found what worked in my gun USE IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS SAY!

[Sponsor]

[TSB]

From Wikipedia, I lay no claim to the accuracy of the information but it does make sense...

'Where target shooting accuracy is the prime consideration, some bullets such as the Sierra "Matchking" incorporate a cavity in the nose section. This has the effect of lightening the bullet's forward section and shifting the center of gravity towards the tail of the bullet, so as to give an improved ballistic coefficient, greater down-range velocity retention, and greater resistance to deflection by crosswinds. Match or target hollow-point bullets are designed for precision target use, and no consideration is given to their expansion or other terminal ballistic performance. The United States military, for example, uses hollow-point bullets in some sniper rifles for their exceptional accuracy at long ranges, and believes that the hollow point does not result in significantly different wounds than full metal jacket ammunition in practice.  Some hunters, however, have reported good expansion characteristics and quick, humane kills from hollow-point target bullets.

A boat tail hollow point bullet is a match grade bullet design that uses the concept of a teardrop like shape to give it a lower drag coefficient and make it produce less turbulence in its wake. Only the base of the bullet has a boat tail like shape, the ogive is still pointed, it can also have an open tip for even better accuracy at long ranges.'

Any Marine Snipers feel free to add anything to the above.  I can't see 1000 yards let alone hit something at that yardage.  It's my understanding that at 1000 yards of distance a 50 cal sniper round drops some 320 inches by gravity alone!


Tim

[2HOW]

Where target shooting accuracy is the prime consideration, some bullets incorporate a cavity in the nose section. This has the effect of lightening the bullet's forward section and shifting the center of gravity towards the tail of the bullet, so as to give an improved ballistic coefficient, greater down-range velocity retention, and greater resistance to deflection by crosswinds. Match or target hollow-point bullets are designed for precision target use, and no consideration is given to their expansion or other terminal ballistic performance. The United States military, for example, uses hollow-point bullets in some sniper rifles for their exceptional accuracy at long ranges, and believes that the hollow point does not result in significantly different wounds than full metal jacket ammunition in practice.

A boat tail hollow point bullet is a match grade bullet design that uses the concept of a teardrop like shape to give it a lower drag coefficient and make it produce less turbulence in its wake. Only the base of the bullet has a boat tail like shape, the ogive is still pointed, it can also have an open tip for even better accuracy at long ranges.


 I got this off wickepedia and believe these reasons to be true based on my experience and info over the years. Hopes this helps.

[Big Frank]

I'm not sure how much of the rifle stuff applies to handguns too. It could be that non-match FMJ pistol bullets are just generic chunks of metal that have to go down range, but they don't have to be very high quality. Just a thought.

[TAB]

I honestly don't think you would see a diffrence with good bullets.   I know guys that swear by both.

What was mentioned above about JHP being longer is true, which  would allow you to seat them a little deeper, would would decrease the case volume.  Which would increase presure.

[tombogan03884]

I honestly don't think you would see a diffrence with good bullets.   I know guys that swear by both.

What was mentioned above about JHP being longer is true, which  would allow you to seat them a little deeper, would would decrease the case volume.  Which would increase presure.

May be dependent on what your hand gun "likes" rather than any MAJOR difference.