I am normally quite fond of Hornady products. I find their dies, especially their "Custom Grade-New Dimension" dies to be excellent. I find their defensive/tactical ammo to be awesome quality at a nice savings over Remington, Federal , or Winchester. Their TAP labelled ammo costs $5 a box (of 20) less, on average and frankly, I think it outperforms the others in expansion.
Hornady has been one of the leaders in ammo, lately. They have been partners in developing quite a few new rounds and calibers and improving some grand old ones with their LeverEvolution series ammo.
Now, they have released their `Critical defense' line of handgun ammo. Currently available in 380 Auto, 38 Special, 38 Special+P, and of course 9mm Para, this is Hornady's answer to hollow points not expanding properly. Federal came out with their EFMJ ammo a couple of years ago and that stuff seems to work well enough, but costs and arm and a leg, if you can find it. Hornady's idea is NOT original in any way, shape, or form. They appeared to have taken one of their normal hollow point rounds and filled the hollow area with a plug of plastic.
Again, this is not an original line of thought. People have been using homemade versions of this for years. People have filled their bullets hollow cavities with BB's, mercury, wax and a number of other things sitting around the garage. While all these ideas solved the potential issue of the normal hollow point not expanding due to it's cavity being filled with denim, fur or flesh, some gun rag writers are promoting this ammo as the second coming. Hornady is claiming 100% reliability in this bullets expansion. That's a huge claim. Once I get my hands on a useful supply of it, i intend to test that promise.
Hornady's own website ( http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=786 ) shows that the 380 Auto went through denim and them only penetrated about 11.5 inches of ballistic gel. The FBI tests from a dozen years ago has stated that ammo must penetrate at least 13 inches to be considered effective.
Like I said, I will test what i can on this. Hopefully, I will be able to post some pictures of what comes of this.
