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hollow point and soft point question

beantole
I have never understood why we are told to use soft point for hunting animals and hollow point for shooting a human in self defense. I hike, there may be some cougars. If I ever had to shoot them is hollow point or soft point more effective? Thanks.
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • gskyhawk
    on something like a cougar a hollow point would be fine , most people don'tlike HP for hunting because they are worried about the bullet expanding to much to quick and not getting any penetration, but on something that is smaller and is light skinned you shouldn't have any problems
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  • beantole
    OK, I ways always confused on that point. Thank you for clarifying it.
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  • D. Bryan
    The principle of a hollow point is rapid expansion to deliver maximum impact to the target. It is like being hit with a punch or a shove. Both deliver the same energy but the punch is more effective.

    Active old guy who lives with two dobermans.
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  • tr fox
    hollow point will probably expand upon hitting soft tissue.

    soft point will probably only expand upon hitting bone, etc.

    or so I have been told.

    Quote "Somehow government decided that the Constitutional Bill of Rights has become the Bill of "Suggested" Rights and are to be rationed to the citizens as the power elite sees fit"
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  • andy12390
    i would belive it depends what kind of gun you have (caliber) if you pack a 22 lr "survival rifle or whatever, i think i would rather solid points. anyone agree with me?. but if i had any centerfire, i wouldnt mind carrying hollows.

    Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. - Don Corleone
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  • Bittersweat
    I'm with you Andy. Seems that the gun publications have beat this subject into the dirt over the last couple of years. Still, one point is very clear, a soft point or hollow (softer?) point bullet needs a lot of velocity to expand. Most pistol bullets won't expand at all due to low (under 1200 fps) velocity. Maybe they don't need to. A .45 slug punches nearly a 1/2 inch hole. So a flat point bullet will do just as good a job as a hollow point.

    A rifle bullet has pleanty of velocity and will expand nicely...but will it expand over 1/2 inch ? Maybe if it hits a rib. Otherwise maybe not.
    I'm trying not to muddy the water too much. Hope this will help.
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