RFI, soft points vs FMJ on steel, what gives?

[ViniVidivici]

I guess the "closed base theory" would explain OTMs causing more damage too, as Clint alluded to.

This experiment might be worth a try, deleting the base of the jacket on one of these.

[lysander]

I guess the "closed base theory" would explain OTMs causing more damage too, as Clint alluded to.

This experiment might be worth a try, deleting the base of the jacket on one of these.

Deleting the base of an OTM might run the risk of core punch-through . . .

[MegademiC]

I wonder if its the friction of the sp/otm moving in-to-out vs a fmj just collapsing.

[markm]

Deleting the base of an OTM might run the risk of core punch-through . . .

Which would suck to fix. Plus as the great markm noted, you've changed the weight of the bullet and thus have two variables for the expriment.

[ViniVidivici]

I was just gonna file the bottom of the jacket off, then weigh before seating...not sure I wanna do it now! Doesn't sound too good.

Ultimately it just sounds like, for some reason of physics, SP are a NO-GO on steel, at least at 100 yards out of an 18" barrel.

May see what they do at 200 though. Just feel like this would've been common knowledge I'd have stumbled upon at some point...

[georgeib]

It occurs to me that one way to maintain more of the integrity of the bullet might be to use an end mill bit to remove the center of the base, rather than the whole base. That way the entire base isn't lead, similar to a standard FMJ.

[ViniVidivici]

I think you could still have pass-through, as the other end of jacket (SP or OTM) is open.

I'm glad Lysander came in with that before I tried it.

[georgeib]

What would be the danger of a pass through? The jacket becoming lodged in the bore?

[kerplode]

Mill off the SP jacket from the base only and see if it still craters like that?

That's some crazy shit I might do.

It'd be an interesting experiment, but I wouldn't recommend it. The pressure will squirt the core out and leave the jacket stuck in the rifling.

[kerplode]

What would be the danger of a pass through? The jacket becoming lodged in the bore?

Yeah, exactly.

Then next round, boom!