Flat point VS Round nose solids

[Sheldor]

Flat-nosed bullets are generally preferred as they cut cleaner holes in targets, have less tendency to ricochet, and wound better than round-nosed bullets. Both 9mm and .45 ACP do have factory loadings available with flat-nosed bullets. The reason that so many 9mm and .45 loadings still have round-nosed bullets is that these two cartridges are much older than .40 S&W and there are many older guns that will not function reliably with flat-nosed bullets.

 

[michael458]

Flat-nosed bullets are generally preferred as they cut cleaner holes in targets, have less tendency to ricochet, and wound better than round-nosed bullets. Both 9mm and .45 ACP

In 45 ACP I use the 200 gr CEB FN Solids and in 9mm CEB has a new 115 gr FN Solid that is superb, both tested and gave top end results........

CEB Had a Gen 1 and Gen II, Gen I has been discontinued . Both were top end.

We believe in Solids and are very serious about having them on hand, for many different scenarios one might run into, whether in the field hunting dangerous game, or in the streets where problems can be solved with good penetration, even in smaller calibers..............

And moving up to .308 caliber.........

Now, one may get back to the point of this thread, sorry for the slightly off track post.........But, it does say Flat Point vs Round Nose Solids, not specific to caliber or purpose...... there are many purposes and scenarios that Solids make a good choice.

 

[6.5 wildcatter]

As much as I favor solids for elephants, where penetration is the most important factor next to shot placement, I avoid them for self defense. While the problem to be solved in a SD situation is rapid incapacitation, due to shot placement and sufficient penetration to reach the vital organs, prevention of overpenetration from a passthrough is extremely important.

As a result, a well constructed hollow point pistol bullet which will retain its weight, penetrate in a straight line while expanding rapidly so its increased frontal area promotes its retention within the intended target, are the most important attributes.

A prime example is one of my favorite pistol cartridges, the 9x23mm Winchester. From a 4.25” 1911 barrel, the 0.355” 125 grain bullets will produce about 1500+ fps MV. The HP bonded version opens rapidly, produces a very significant wound cavity and terminal ballistics identical to a 357 magnum. The same weight SP bullet behaves much like a solid and is known for passthroughs due to its very significant penetration. A true solid only exacerbates the problem.

Civilian SD encounters rarely require penetrating barriers to reach the intended target, but often occur in scenarios where avoiding hitting innocent people beyond the criminal perpetrator must be avoided. Solids create problems best avoided to prevent unintended consequences.

We’ve strayed from the OP’s topic, but although solids have a very important role in DG hunting, IMHO they are best avoided in civilian SD when modern controlled expanding bullets are both available and effective.