Why Flat nosed bullets?

[hbaird]

What is the advantage in flat noses on bullets? Both PMC and Winchester have them.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

They hit harder, burrow deeper and fly straighter. Plus they look pretty business like-kinda what the pros carry

Hell, I don't know!

 

[Cal44]

The usual argument is flat nosed bullets do more damage by ripping and tearing tissue as they go though. Whereas round nose tend to push the tissues out of the way without as much damage.

I wonder if there is real evidence of this difference reported by pathologists that have seen lots of wounds from both LRM and WC ammo or the same caliber, bullet weight, and velocity.

Lots of what I read on this subject seems like common sense, but it's hard to get real scientific analyses.

 

[squekydad]

Who cares, it's the cheap stuff we get to practice with. I will buy any brand of practice ammo available, round, flat, lead, plated, jacketed. Usually only have one choice on the shelf at a time these days in CT and mail order now illegal. Just glad I have guns that are not ammo sensitive.

 

[Doubless]

There is a reason the old 38 Special police load with 158-grain round nose bullets was referred to as the widow maker load... RNs just don't do much damage. SWCs crush much more tissue.

 

[TucsonMTB]

In my experience, flat nosed bullets cut smooth edged, circular holes in my paper targets . . . almost like wad cutters and JHP.

That's a good thing.

 

[Sgt 45]

A long time ago we (the gun shop/range where I worked) did some tests on phone books comparing .45 caliber 230 gr RN vs 230 gr truncated cone (flat point ) and flat point bullets cut a .45 caliber hole through the phone book as if it were put on a drill press while the RN bullets pushed through the paper but didn't really destroy much. Yes there was a hole,but you could push the paper back and read most of what was there while the flat point bullets the paper was gone, nothing was pushed, things were cut.

 

[Neumann]

Flat nosed or hollow point bullets are essential for use in a rifle with a tubular magazine, to prevent accidental ignition due to recoil.

For hunting or self defense, they are less likely to be deflected by brush or bone, and dissipate more energy in their path. A pointed or round nosed bullet will seek the easiest path. A flat nosed bullet will cut through obstacles.

For an easy example, try pounding a 10p nail into a piece of pine trim. With a point, the wood will split. With the tip cut off square, it will punch a hole without splitting the wood. That's an old finish carpenter trick.

 

[greenmachine]

Quote: "For an easy example, try pounding a 10p nail into a piece of pine trim. With a point, the wood will split. With the tip cut off square, it will punch a hole without splitting the wood. That's an old finish carpenter trick."

Makes a good 'point'.

 

[hbaird]

Thanks for all the answers.

 

[buckshotshorty]

I like flat point bullets because the configuration somewhat mimics that of hollow point carry ammo. If you have problems feeding the flat point, you'll almost definitely have problems with hollow points.

It's a cheaper way to find out.

 

[Johnmuratore]

I've found that most 9mm are round nose while most .40 are flat.
I've asked myself that same question.

 

[Kadonny]

Wad cutters, sorta has a purpose for the name, right?

 

[nitesite]

Wouldn't a .40S&W cartridge OAL be too long for the magazine if it had the typical RN profile bullet found in a 9mm, but the forty pistols are said to be the same grip size/cartridge OAL as a nine? Same with all 10mm FMJ bullets being flat tip to keep the cartridge OAL the same as a .45ACP RN.

 

[k31scout]

Wouldn't a .40S&W cartridge OAL be too long for the magazine if it had the typical RN profile bullet found in a 9mm, but the forty pistols are said to be the same grip size/cartridge OAL as a nine? Same with all 10mm FMJ bullets being flat tip to keep the cartridge OAL the same as a .45ACP RN.

That's what I'm thinking. Strictly and OAL issue so the powder does not get compressed. Minor bullet set back would be more of a problem with a case close to being compressed from the factory.

 

[hbaird]

All the HP's I have seen are the same OAL as well. I am now thinking that is the first of several reasons.
Again thank you to all that have answered.

Wouldn't a .40S&W cartridge OAL be too long for the magazine if it had the typical RN profile bullet found in a 9mm, but the forty pistols are said to be the same grip size/cartridge OAL as a nine? Same with all 10mm FMJ bullets being flat tip to keep the cartridge OAL the same as a .45ACP RN.

 

[Maddmax]

Flat nosed or hollow point bullets are essential for use in a rifle with a tubular magazine, to prevent accidental ignition due to recoil.

For an easy example, try pounding a 10p nail into a piece of pine trim. With a point, the wood will split. With the tip cut off square, it will punch a hole without splitting the wood. That's an old finish carpenter trick.

Case in point would be the 444 Lever Action Marlin.

I load 230 grain FNFMJ in my 45 and some in my 9's. Hard hitters.

 

[Retleo]

When Law Enforcement was transitioning from 9mm to the new and more powerful .40 S&W, all 9mm jacketed bullets were round nosed and all .40 bullets were made with a flat or blunt point so you could easily recognize the difference and not mix calibers.

 

[Comrad]

Quote: "For an easy example, try pounding a 10p nail into a piece of pine trim. With a point, the wood will split. With the tip cut off square, it will punch a hole without splitting the wood. That's an old finish carpenter trick."

Makes a good 'point'.

New finish carpenter trick, use a nail gun, sorry, couldn't resist.

You will now be returned to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[medxam]

I my experience, having done several thousand GSW autopsies, wad cutters do more internal damage than round nose projectiles! Than is why aai carry them.

medxam