Does hollowpoint expand when it hits wall?

[xxsleepyxx]

I would think a rifle HP would be less likely because it's smaller, faster, and more powerful. This is why many people are wary to use rifle in home defense situations. However, for most of us, we use handguns as a bedside insurance. So how does a 9, 40, 45, 357 react to hitting a wall (in the case of a misplaced shot). Does it go through or does it expand inside of the wall?

[sevensix2x51]

I can't give you a link while on my phone, but google the box of truth. Pretty cool resource for questions like this.

[PyroFox79]

I think it would depend if it hit like just plain dry wall or a beam.

[bsg]

it can do either, neither or both.

[Army]

Hollowpoints can fill with wall particles, and continue on as a pseudo FMJ.

FMJ's however, will always perform as FMJ's.

Hollowpoints have the ability to expand at all times, FMJ does not.

All performance ammunition will penetrate household walls with ease. More reason to practice often, to hit only your intended target.

[serrogate]

I've talked to a couple LEOs about this and they said 357 and 44 don't use for home defense because they're more likely to go thru the walls along with hitting the perp and to use 40 or 45 hp, that it's the safest

[Uriah02]

I can't give you a link while on my phone, but google the box of truth. Pretty cool resource for questions like this.

I got you brother. Box O' Truth

[Kestryll]

This is coming from memory so while I don't think there are any errors there could be.

Any decent hollowpoint is designed to work off of hydraulic pressure, in other words with the fluids in a body.
As the round enters a body the fluid nature of tissue, organs and blood fills the cavity and the forward energy of the round causes this fluid to exert pressure on the sidewalls of the cavity forcing them to expand. This creates a larger frontal surface creating a larger wound channel and crush cavity in the body increasing the chances of rapid onset shock and hydraulic failure (bleeding out).

When a hollowpoint hits a hard object like metal it will most often deform and/or deflect reducing or eliminating it's ability to expand in a fluid environment.
When it hits a semi-solid object like drywall the cavity will most often fill with the powdered drywall and no longer be able to use hydraulic pressure to expand. It essentially becomes an FMJ or 'hardball' round.
In some cases the powdered drywall can act as or in conjunction with fluid to create enough pressure to cause expansion but that is more the exception than the rule.

[xxsleepyxx]

This is coming from memory so while I don't think there are any errors there could be.

Any decent hollowpoint is designed to work off of hydraulic pressure, in other words with the fluids in a body.
As the round enters a body the fluid nature of tissue, organs and blood fills the cavity and the forward energy of the round causes this fluid to exert pressure on the sidewalls of the cavity forcing them to expand. This creates a larger frontal surface creating a larger wound channel and crush cavity in the body increasing the chances of rapid onset shock and hydraulic failure (bleeding out).

When a hollowpoint hits a hard object like metal it will most often deform and/or deflect reducing or eliminating it's ability to expand in a fluid environment.
When it hits a semi-solid object like drywall the cavity will most often fill with the powdered drywall and no longer be able to use hydraulic pressure to expand. It essentially becomes an FMJ or 'hardball' round.
In some cases the powdered drywall can act as or in conjunction with fluid to create enough pressure to cause expansion but that is more the exception than the rule.

This brings up a good point and image I saw. Some of the hollowpoint tests on youtube show that 4 layers of denim jeans is enough to clog the HP and make them not expand. It is only the outstanding models of bullets that expand regardless. A wall seems much more likely to clog the HP. Good point. I didn't know liquid was a factor. I thought it was any object or obstruction. Thanks.

[Dr Pete]

We did this a few years ago at burro canyon at a private range.
Fun test.
Filled up a bunch of 1 gallon plastic bottles with water.
Filled a few up with playground sand (no rocks)
We made some cool looking jewelry for the ladies in the group
I would have to say Kestryll your description fits with what we saw.
Very interesting to see that all (22,32,40,45,30-30,30-06,223) with the exception of the .357 & .44 only made it into the second water bottle.
We lined these up thinking it would travel real far.
We had fun and it is a nice test for anyone who wants to see how far the bullet travels into different mediums.
Sand stops everything in the first container.
P.S. No I wouldn't stand in back of the lineup

[Matt C]

We made some cool looking jewelry for the ladies in the group

Out of lead....?

[rockman]

We did this a few years ago at burro canyon at a private range.
Fun test.
Filled up a bunch of 1 gallon plastic bottles with water.
Filled a few up with playground sand (no rocks)
We made some cool looking jewelry for the ladies in the group
I would have to say Kestryll your description fits with what we saw.
Very interesting to see that all (22,32,40,45,30-30,30-06,223) with the exception of the .357 & .44 only made it into the second water bottle.
We lined these up thinking it would travel real far.
We had fun and it is a nice test for anyone who wants to see how far the bullet travels into different mediums.
Sand stops everything in the first container.
P.S. No I wouldn't stand in back of the lineup

Thanks for the info

[gemini1]

We did this a few years ago at burro canyon at a private range.
Fun test.
Filled up a bunch of 1 gallon plastic bottles with water.
Filled a few up with playground sand (no rocks)
We made some cool looking jewelry for the ladies in the group
I would have to say Kestryll your description fits with what we saw.
Very interesting to see that all (22,32,40,45,30-30,30-06,223) with the exception of the .357 & .44 only made it into the second water bottle.
We lined these up thinking it would travel real far.
We had fun and it is a nice test for anyone who wants to see how far the bullet travels into different mediums.
Sand stops everything in the first container.
P.S. No I wouldn't stand in back of the lineup

So did the HP bullets expand to the size as it would a human body?

[dieselpower]

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=26

and

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#OVERPENETRATION

a very good read.

............... If an operator misses the intended target, the .223 will generally have less wounding potential than some pistol rounds after passing through a wall or similar structure. ...................

[Dr Pete]

So did the HP bullets expand to the size as it would a human body?

Like I said, the lady's had some nice jewelry
And yes, made from lead! They wouldn't actually wear it thou!
Long answer to your question, YES.
And makes a big hole on the opposite side of the first water bottle.
Fun exercise, lot's of valuable information.

P.S. I forgot the .177 in the pump rifle, It went through 1.5 phone books.
P.P.S. All shot from ~ 5 yards straight into the targets.

Some good reading dieselpower, thanks for the links. Bookmarked.