FMJ verse JHP

[fbcmrjrtykr]

As I try to build my stock of ammunition, I find myself torn between the price of FMJ and the destructive power of JHP. I have read the articles that discuss how much more damage JHP does and have watched the gel tests. I have also read where some say FMJ is just for target practice or plinking. But i have to wonder.....if I pop a couple of rounds of .40 FMJ into someone, are they really going to be less injured, assuming i'm accurate? What is your opinion here? Am I better off using my precious $$'s to buy as much FMJ as I can? Or should I concentrate on JHP? Right now, of the total rounds I have, only about 10% are JHP.

 

[JohnK]

I think you have already answered your own question. JHP's DO cause more damage/trauma, than FMJ, which tend to give a rapier wound profile.

Practice with the FMJ's, and carry the JHPs for street use.

When you HAVE to use a firearm for self defense, you have essentially gone to WAR.

Give yourself every advantage, and survive.

 

[Onthespot]

One of the main reasons to use JHP is over penetration or lack of it. You shoot FMJ in a public place it could go thru many things striking others. JHP stays in the one you don't love.

 

[Onthespot]

Practice with the FMJ and carry JHP. Also practice with YOUR choice of JHP to make sure gun eats it 100%. Just pricey to fire off alot JHP.

 

[RonS]

If you want to only keep one type of ammo there are JHP hollowpoints that don't cost $29 for a box of 20. RemFedChester make value priced HPs that sell for $20-23 for 50. Since I feel lucky to find Blazer Aluminum for $14 for 50 these days I suppose that is now considered reasonable.

Hardball for defense is a bad idea, over penetration, the tendency to glance off of bone and failure to stop are all issues.

 

[red dragon]

FMJ for shtf. If it ever happens,I want my ammunition to have the greatest penetration possible. Its all about shot placement. You can shoot someone five times with hollow points but if you don't hit a vital they could still continue their attack. Not to mention a lot of hollow points don't perform as advertised thus becoming a expensive fmj. I keep about a 1000rds of handgun ammo stocked and focus more on rifle ammunition,medical supplies,food and water.

 

[HalfStack]

While the JHP do more damage than the FMJ but in the case of the 40sw the flat nose does considerable tissue damage despite being the FMJ.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Buy enough premium hollow point ammo to familiarize, to fully load your pistol and between 2 and 5 extra mags, and have about 100 rounds in reserve. Avoid re-chambering your defense ammo as it will cause the bullet to move deeper into the case, dangerously increasing pressure.

Buy all the rest for practice and FMJ is great for that. FMJ will certainly injure or kill, but it may not stop someone as quickly. More importantly, however, is that FMJ tends to over penetrate, making it dangerous for bystanders or family members who might be in the next room.

 

[copterdrvr]

There are many, many examples of combatants in the recent conflicts in the middle east absorbing 5,6,7 and more rounds of FMJ milspec 9mm and continuing to fight.

 

[pharmer]

I'd say only 5% of my stash is JHP, rest is ball. I shoot fmj and Carry JHP's. I do shoot a couple hundred JHP's a year just to be sure they work. They always do. I will carry ball in a .45acp because at around 800+ fps they give the right mix of penetration and energy transfer. Joe

 

[jimmib]

I practice mostly with fmj and carry with jhp...I usually use the jhp I have in my pistol for the first firing at the range to make sure it works well and then switch to fmj...I have some Precision HP/XTP coming to put in for carry...I will put a full box of 50 through to make sure I have no problems with it

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Thanks to all who replied. The vast majority confirmed what I'd been thinking; JHP for live fire, FMJ for practice. I'll have to save my money and start building up my JHP stock. LOL.

 

[CanonEOS]

One of the biggest mistakes is to fire a lot of FMJ and then you'll buy a box of defence rounds, only to never fire them.

Although it's expensive, you really want to fire defence rounds so that you're comfortable with the round and that it cycles through correctly.

Sigmas for example should not fire +P+ and I had a box of that before I found out, I later traded it for +P rounds.

Paying $40-60 on a couple boxes of defence rounds at the range is probably worth the life/lives it'd save.

 

[hmbiohazard]

for defense you want JHP, FMJ is for range use as it does not expand and is known to over penetrate. this is bad when you live in apartments or condos. last thing you want is to have to use your handgun for defense and end up killing the neighbors child because your fmj round went through the wall and struck them while they slept in their crib. i shoot fmj at range to keep my skills up and carry the JHP in EDC. i also buy 200-300 rounds of the defense i plan to carry and put 100-150 down range to ensure its feeds right and know how the recoil will be, yes it varies based on what ammo you have. you need to be able to anticipate the recoil strength or you can get misfeeds from limp wristing

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Duly noted hmbiohazard. Thanks

 

[hmbiohazard]

at any given time, having a friend who reloads, (i know im a lucky guy to have friends like that) i have 1000-2000 rounds of FMJ and usually 3 full mags of JHP after putting the initial 150-200 through my sd40.

i cannot stress the concern for over penetration enough. i actually keep 2 mags of "guard dog" from federal for home defense

Federal Premium Ammunition - Handgun

 

[NavalOps]

I think you have already answered your own question. JHP's DO cause more damage/trauma, than FMJ, which tend to give a rapier wound profile.

Practice with the FMJ's, and carry the JHPs for street use.

When you HAVE to use a firearm for self defense, you have essentially gone to WAR.

Give yourself every advantage, and survive.

I agree with this comment. The FMJs have a stronger chance of going clean through your target, and will do less damage to the person you are trying to stop. FMJs are designed for target practice, whereas the JHP are designed with a way for the bullet to expand, thus increasing the impact pressure on your target.

 

[seadoubleyou]

I don't think in terms of damage caused by the hollow point. I think in terms of stopping power. So my 9 mm is loaded with +p jhp ammo. And the fmj is for practice.


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