Does heavy subsonic hollow points make sense?

[Stopsign32v]

Was looking at the NOE 358-155-TC for some heavy subsonic 9mm loads coated with Hi-Tek. But I was wondering, at those low of velocities would it even have any expansion?

[poppy42]

The simple fact is hollowpoint expansion is velocity based! Drop the velocity below the expansion threshold they don’t expand! I did A little test not very scientific because I don’t have a chronograph but take it for what it’s worth. I had a box of Hornaday 158 grain XTP bullets. The box clearly states that they will expand and velocities over 700 ft./s. In other words at standard velocities. I loaded some rounds up with three different powders I use the data from both Hornaday and from Lyman to determine what the feet per second was supposed to be. (like I said I can’t verify velocity I don’t have a chronograph) fire those rounds into wet newspaper at a distance of about 6 yards. I dug those bullets out of the wet newspaper and outside of the rifling marks the bullets look like they had never been loaded! Now in reference to your question about 9 mm subsonic is basically below 1000 ft./s the way I think of it so maybe if you load them just to subsonic levels you might get expansion I don’t know. Based on my experience I wouldn’t count on much. Hope this helps

[megasupermagnum]

That really depends. A pure lead HP will certainly expand below 1000 fps.

[Iwsbull]

Depending on alloy and hp design and wall thickness. You can look up Loads of Bacon and he has some really good vids of his testing.
I know at +P 44 special I get really good expansion in the borderline supersonic level from 50 yards to 200. Bhn about 8-9.

[BLAHUT]

Was looking at the NOE 358-155-TC for some heavy subsonic 9mm loads coated with Hi-Tek. But I was wondering, at those low of velocities would it even have any expansion?

Yes: If made in pure lead.

[Mr Peabody]

Well .22 rimfire short hollow points expand, they're around 700fps to start out with

[405grain]

You could cast the bullets with a 40 to 1 lead/tin alloy (so you get good mold fill out), then powder coat them. Load at around 1000 fps and it should be both sub-sonic and have some expansion.

[maglvr]

" Does heavy subsonic hollow points make sense?"
I'd guess about as much sense as non-alcohol vodka, but YMMV.

[stubshaft]

^^^^^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^^!

[44MAG#1]

What does VIRGEL say. It is the latest thing yet on stopping power questions.

[Hannibal]

I'm not sure what the point would be. Knock the velocity down on a 9mm and your into 38 Special ballistics pretty quick.

[44MAG#1]

What is wrong with the 38 Special?

[Hannibal]

What is wrong with the 38 Special?

In my opinion nothing at all given what it is. I'd just not choose to detune a 9mm.

[charlie b]

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/sel...c-tests/#45ACP

Look at the 9mm results. Several heavier HP bullets in there. Some are also borderline on penetration depth.

[megasupermagnum]

In my opinion nothing at all given what it is. I'd just not choose to detune a 9mm.

I wouldn't call it detuned. A 9mm luger wont get supersonic with a 147 grain. Even loading to +p wont do it. 1150 fps is hot even for a 125 gr bullet in 9mm. A 147 gr bullet at 1000 fps is a mean round for 9mm. I don't think a 38 special will touch that unless you are talking about a longer barreled revolver.

[gwpercle]

Cast them Soft ...
A 148 gr. swaged lead HBWC , loaded with the hollow base as a hollow point in 38 special
over 3.5 grs of Bullseye for 801 fps ... at this velocity , this soft swaged lead bullet will expand (flatten) to .715" diameter ... about/almost 3/4" ... penetration was 5 1/4 " into packed Newsprint ... which to me was impressive .

I believe if the metal is soft enough , the hollow point big enough and the velocity is around 750 to 800 FPS ... you should get expansion

This test was done by Terry Wieland in Handloader Magazine - August 2013 - #285 but involved a 38 special revolver and loads ... which made life easier .

My thought is if the boolit metal is soft enough and the cavity/hollow point large enough and the velocity in the 750 to 800 fps ... you should get some expansion .
It might be tough to get this to Feed in a 9mm ... but hey ...
Give it a Shot !
Gary

[Stopsign32v]

What is wrong with the 38 Special?

I tried loading them in my KP9 magazines but they won't fit.

[44MAG#1]

I tried loading them in my KP9 magazines but they won't fit.

That is what is so good about this site is the comic relief.
That is a good one.

[Stopsign32v]

That is what is so good about this site is the comic relief.
That is a good one.

I have a metric truck load of 38 Special brass. When it comes to just flat out plinking that round cannot be beat!

[Hanzy4200]

I think the real question, is does it matter? If SD is the idea, I would suggest some decent J words. I think you could get them to expand, but you would need a pretty soft alloy.