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Hydra-Shock question

leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
Can anyone help me understand this?

I have a box of Federal Hydra-shock in both 155gr. And 180gr. (.40s&w)
Why is it that the lighter bullet (155gr.) has a smaller hollow-point hole and more exposed lead internally and the heavier bullet (180gr) has a much larger hole and less lead...?

Which of these would penetrate farther? etc
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Comments

  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would venture a guess that it has to do with the physics of balistics. The smaller hole in the lighter bullet is all that is needed to effectively introduce enough tissue into the cavity to get it to open. The heavier load, will carry more energy, and therefore present the possibilty of over-penetration. To avoid this, the larger hole will allow more tissue to enter, and therefore expand the heavier bullet fast enough to keep it from punching straight through without opening and possibly ending up in someone else.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Federal .40s&w Hydra-Shock

    180gr.
    Muzzle
    25yds
    Velocity
    990
    960
    Energy
    390
    365

    155gr.
    Muzzle
    25yds
    Velocity
    1140
    1080
    Energy
    445
    400
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    These guys said all. Good luck

    Rugster
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's heavier where's the weight?
    The 180 visually looks lighter because of the larger cavity.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    180gr-155gr=25grs heavier. The weight is in the base of the bullet. The physics laws dictate that although the 155 shows more energy, this test is done with no resistance, therefore The introduction of resistance will show that the 180gr bullet, being heavier, will retain it's energy longer when resistance is applied, BECAUSE it is heavier, and the resistance is the same (human body).

    Also, look at the energy at a greater distance than 25yds. The 180 will carry more force over distance, which is exactly why heavy rifle bullets are used for long distance competition. (more resistance to wind drift)

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I e-mailed Federal the same question and this is the reply I received back.


    Bullet design performance issues and the 155 grain will penetrate deeper due
    to higher velocity,however smaller wound channel.
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  • leadrollerzleadrollerz Member Posts: 66 ✭✭
    edited November -1
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  • TED GARTED GAR Member Posts: 389 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You guys are getting into the overpenetration, area.
    Are you shooting dangerous game? If you arent shooting
    a bear, than the heavier slower bullet is always the ticket.
    It goes in slow, opens up does its damage, transmits its full
    potential, and may or may not exit, your target. So what?
    A real fast bullet zips in zips out, does some damage, but,still
    had so much energy left, DID IT DO ALL IT COULD? think about that.
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  • lazywallruslazywallrus Member Posts: 119 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just to play the devils advocate on this, If a larger slower bullet is better why are so many police depts. switching to the 357sig from the 45????If Im straying from the subject I apologize, But if your comparing the two rounds I would choose the 155 due to the increased effect of neurogenic shock or lighting bolt effect from the higher velocity. That lighting bolt incapacitates faster than tissue damage.

    Lazy
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    While light and fast is good, some ammo that works well is heavy. 230 gr 45 HS is still top of the heap. 158gr HP +P for 38 SPL is still the best for that caliber.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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