Received a Berry's plated bullet catalog (I have purchased their bullets) and noticed that there are some hollow base bullets such as a 9mm, 124gr HBFP.

Why would one use such a bullet compared to say a regular flat base?

Thanks and Happy New Year

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Still Running Against the Wind

Hollow base bullets are popular in target shooting where the bullet is fired at low (800's fps) velocity. I can't see the value of a HB in 9mm.

But what does the hollow base do? I guess I do not understand the purpose of it especially if the bullet weighs the same as a a flat base? I would think at impact on a solid object like a steel plate the bullet would crush or flatten out maybe?

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Still Running Against the Wind

Upon ignition the hollow base expands sealing the bullet to the bore. Prevents the hot gasses from 'spilling' around the base and causing leading of the bore. (Think minie-ball.)

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John

A hollow base bullet is long for its weight, with the center of balance farther forward. It also makes for a larger volume powder chamber, reducing pressure.

Note, the extra powder volume is not intended for extra powder!

Hello

Before I found a source for the correct .360" bullets to load for .38 S&W loads in my Webley & Scott Mk.IV and S&W "Victory Model" .38 S&W Calibre revolvers, I used cheap .358" lead bullets made by a company called "Magtech". These bullet were made for use in .38 Special/.357 Magnum cartridges, but they are hollow based and did fairly well in the slightly larger bore of the .38 S&W cal. barrel.
Thanks
Mark

Lets talk about "bump up" and "obturation". In lead, for a perfect target load (in theory) you need the bullet to perfectly seal the bore. Assuming you have the correct balance of velocity and bullet choice, you need perfect seal of the bullet to the bore to eliminate leading(and get the best performance from your powder).

This is done one of a couple ways. Optimally you should use a bullet perfectly sized to the bore(and large enough cylinder throat in a revolver). The only other two ways to achieve this is to use a fast enough powder to "obturate", or smush ("bump up") the back of the bullet base enough to seal the bore.

Lastly, you have a hollow base wadcutter, which will "obturate" the easiest, and takes quite a bit of sizing variations out of the equation.

Basically the holllowbase flares to match the bore, making a perfect seal....

Of course, it is all theory Crimp plays a game too

grendelbane is the only one who read and understood the question. The purpose is to lengthen the bullet bearing area and move it's center of gravity slightly resulting in the bullet having somewhat improved inherent stability hopefully aiding accuracy. A second benefit is the bullet has more bearing surface in contact with the case. Most commonly 115 gr. 9mm bullets are found which are very close to the same length as 124 gr flat base.

Two 115 gr bullets, flat and hollow base, loaded to the same OAL leave the cartridge with the same powder volume available, it is just shaped differently.

Comments by others generally apply to Lead hollow-base bullets, not jacketed.

I don't beleive we were talking about jacketed bullets.... by NO means is a Berrys PLATED bullet a JACKETED bullet. I mean, you'd be callin nickel plated, hard chrome. After all, why do we load plated bullets to lead loads?

The statements I made apply to all but JACKETED
bullets. And as was stated, we are talking about plated bullets.

And... MOST hollow base bullets, seated to their respective lengths, allow for the same cartridge capacity as their non HB kin.

Where are the "casters"?

Sleeping Where I am going. Thanks for the info

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Still Running Against the Wind