What’s the Deal with .223 Hollow Point Expansion?

Ammunition & Reloading
1

I’m trying to get a better understanding of how .223 hollow point ammunition performs, especially regarding expansion and penetration. I’ve been reading a lot about its effectiveness for both hunting and self-defense scenarios, but I find myself with plenty of questions.

Some things I’m particularly curious about:

  • Expansion Characteristics: How well does the bullet expand compared to other types of ammunition? Are there specific brands or models that perform better in this aspect?
  • Penetration Depth: How does the penetration depth of .223 hollow points stack up against full metal jackets? Is there a risk of over-penetration in home defense situations?
  • Best Applications: In what scenarios do you all find .223 hollow points most effective? Is it primarily for hunting or self-defense, or does it work well in both?

I’d appreciate any personal experiences, recommendations, or insights you might have. Also, if you have recommendations on where to purchase reliable .223 hollow point ammo, that would be super helpful!

2

The expansion of .223 hollow points can be dramatically affected by barrel length. A longer barrel typically allows for more bullet stability and higher velocities, which can enhance expansion performance.

3

That’s true! Distance to target is also crucial; at longer distances, you might not see the same level of expansion due to velocity loss.

4

I’ve noticed that different mediums affect expansion too. Ballistic gel tends to give the most reliable data for expansion, though testing against bone can show different results.

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5

Absolutely! Real-life scenarios often yield unexpected outcomes, which is why it’s good to conduct thorough testing across different media.

6

Having a consistent testing protocol is key to understanding these variations. I’ve seen videos showing how .223 expands through different materials, and it’s quite enlightening!

7

For sure! I love how these tests open up conversations about effectiveness in real situations. Anyone else see some unexpected results?

8

It’s fascinating to see videos that show the difference when hitting soft media versus denser objects like bone. Really makes you think about shot placement.

9

Totally agree, and let’s not forget the types of bullets themselves! Some are designed specifically for better expansion than others; which brands have you all tested?

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10

I’ve tried Federal Fusion and Hornady V-Max for my .223. They both have impressive expansion in gel tests!

11

I haven’t had as much luck with remanufactured rounds; they often don’t expand as well as new factory loads. That might be something to consider!

12

Yes! Quality control can vary widely. It’s essential to know where your ammo comes from before trusting it!

13

This is making me think about the importance of training with the type of ammo you plan to use for self-defense situations. Anyone have experiences on that?

14

Great point, pcastaneda! Practice builds muscle memory, especially with different ammo types. It’s amazing how much difference it can make!

15

It really is! I always say, ‘You can’t hit what you don’t practice with!’

16

Well said, woodstimothy! But let’s be honest, sometimes you just need to blow off some steam and crack a few jokes about testimony. Why did the .223 round go to therapy? It had too many expansion issues! Ha!

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17

I’ve had great experiences with Federal Fusion .223 hollow points. They expand reliably and have good accuracy. The cost is also reasonable for the performance you get.

18

I totally agree! Federal Fusion is one of my go-tos. I’ve noticed they expand really well even in tough conditions.

19

I’ve tested Hornady V-Max as well, and they perform admirably. The expansion is impressive, and they also group nicely. Just a bit pricier, but they’re worth it for hunting.

20

I haven’t tried Hornady yet. What kind of game have you used them on, @michael57? I’m curious about their effectiveness.