the old grind
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- Jul 21, 2012
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Probably don't want to confuse conventional HP with OTM (open tip match) if that's what the military is going to. .45 ACP (OSSs in the mid-60%) built its reputation in a military world of FMJ-exclusive action per the Hague convention, and in civilian use HG HPs have leveled the playing field.
What's OTM? The open tip is to have a sealed jacket base for boat-tails and the tip isn't very 'open' on close inspection. (semantics, but these don't rely on obturation as lead FBs etc would.) OTMs have a hollow nose cavity and thinner jackets than FMJs, and they will shatter or yaw inside target material vs the deeper penetration or pass thru' of 9mm hardball, SS109, etc.
Whaa? .45 ACP, .45 Colt (or LC), and .44 Spl are virtual ballistic twins as far as typical pill weights and velocities, sub-sonic btw. In a strictly FMJ arena the greater frontal area will enhance stopping power over a smaller caliber, deeper penetrating one such as 9mm.
That goes out the window if a jacket disrupts or a bullet yaws, something that's to be expected with thin jackets and a rearward weight bias of match-type ammo. One can argue that an OTM is FMJ due to the lack of exposed lead, and argue against calling it a HP because the open tip is a pinhole among pinholes. Typical PD 'wide' HPs are poor at penetrating body armor and IMO the pointy ogive of an OTM is more likely to do so. I'd like to be sure the terms aren't muddled any more than my feeble explanation, and that we're sure we understand the breadth of these terms.
Nam vets I know say the least caliber they'd like to be struck by (other than .45 ACP at close range) is 5.45x39mm with its 'knitting needle' bullet shape/profile. With the FMJ's hollow nose cavity it yaws at minimal depth and creates an ugly wound channel. I suspect OTMs would do the same if that's what the military is considering.
What's OTM? The open tip is to have a sealed jacket base for boat-tails and the tip isn't very 'open' on close inspection. (semantics, but these don't rely on obturation as lead FBs etc would.) OTMs have a hollow nose cavity and thinner jackets than FMJs, and they will shatter or yaw inside target material vs the deeper penetration or pass thru' of 9mm hardball, SS109, etc.
45 loads typically carry 2-3X more energy at the muzzle than a 9mm load.
Whaa? .45 ACP, .45 Colt (or LC), and .44 Spl are virtual ballistic twins as far as typical pill weights and velocities, sub-sonic btw. In a strictly FMJ arena the greater frontal area will enhance stopping power over a smaller caliber, deeper penetrating one such as 9mm.
That goes out the window if a jacket disrupts or a bullet yaws, something that's to be expected with thin jackets and a rearward weight bias of match-type ammo. One can argue that an OTM is FMJ due to the lack of exposed lead, and argue against calling it a HP because the open tip is a pinhole among pinholes. Typical PD 'wide' HPs are poor at penetrating body armor and IMO the pointy ogive of an OTM is more likely to do so. I'd like to be sure the terms aren't muddled any more than my feeble explanation, and that we're sure we understand the breadth of these terms.
Nam vets I know say the least caliber they'd like to be struck by (other than .45 ACP at close range) is 5.45x39mm with its 'knitting needle' bullet shape/profile. With the FMJ's hollow nose cavity it yaws at minimal depth and creates an ugly wound channel. I suspect OTMs would do the same if that's what the military is considering.