I disassembled a few rounds of Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP to see if I could reload the bullets into the 9mm Luger. I have never used this bullet and didn't know what to expect. To my horror I found that they have a hollow base and appear to have been swaged into the aluminum jacket from the bottom. The diameter was only .354" and the jacket even had a cannelure with some kind of lube in it. What's up with this? Is the base of this bullet supposed to expand like some kind of hollow base wadcutter? Is the entire Silvertip lineup made like this? I have an unopened box of 145 gr. .357 Magnum Silvertip and I don't see how you can shoot a bullet with both a hollow base and hollow point at .357 velocities.

Dave Sinko

Not all Silvertips are created equal. Those intended for relatively low velocity like .380 , .38 Special and .45 ACP have aluminum jackets , but those in magnum calibers have a silvery plating over copper or gilding metal jackets. The recent 9mm and .32s I've seen are plated also.

Dave, I pulled a 210 gr. .44 magnum bullet and the bullet had a very dished out/concave base. I don't think that's anything to be alarmed about, It is probably part on the secret to the Silvertip's accuracy.

The 357 Magnum 145 gr Silvertip does indeed have a base similar to what you are talking about. I wouldn't be alarmed, Winchester knew
what they were doing with the Silvertip. Yes it is old tech, but few
357 Magnum loads do much better than the Silvertip. Silvertips are some of the most accurate rounds available. Carry them with confidence.

In many cases, I have heard of jacketed bullets being .001 smaller than the normal diameter for cast. Never had a problem with accuracy like that.

I'm still very skeptical of this bullet. Undersize bullets need to have a hollow base or skirt that will expand to engage the rifling. What is the reason for this for a JHP that is to be used for defensive purposes, other than economy and ease of manufacture?

It looks pretty, but it isn't real silver so you can't even kill any vampires with it.

Dave Sinko

I thought everyone knew that the .380 is too light for vampires! That's why I use either 200gr .44 spl or 210 gr .44 mag, depending on how blood thirsty they are.

(I use Corbons or Hydroshocks in my .380 and avoid vampires)

I wouldn't overthink it, Dave. The Silvertip enjoys the reputation of being a solid performer in .380. My guess is that the hollow base seals the bore like a mini ball and aids accuracy and velocity by bearing firmly against the sides of the barrel all the way out the tube. Obviously Winchester's engineers wanted the Silvertip line to look cool. That has no bearing on performance. They just chose the best jacket material based on the given cartridge to get the look and performance they desired . Thin, weak, soft aluminum would make sense for a .380. The 210 gr. .44 cal. bullet is nickel plated copper and ideal for .44 mag. velocities.