All I can reply to is what I know as its what i have checked out and use as to plated projectiles.
First i load Plated in every caliber that i shoot, 380, 9MM, 38 Super, 10 MM, 45 Acp.(for plinking/target!
the projectiles cost me a fair bit less than FMJ and certainly about half of what JHP cost.
I have tried both Rainers & berrys in .355 ( my 38 supers) and they really do not expand even at those velocities when fired through milk jugs of water, the nose does deform a bit but nothing that i consider expansion, these are in 1250 FPS range out my 5 inch 38 super.(115 & 124 grain)
at 9Mm velocites, not a chance they will expand, and I also used the 115 grain hollow point Raniers, no real difference in the projectile except that it caved in a bit at the hollow point opening.
as for soft swaged lead core, thats right but the plating makes a difference , same as to reloading data.
I push the 38 Super as mentioned in the 1250 FPS, the 10 MM at 1400 and a bit FPS, the 9mm is in the 1050-1100 FPS, no flying apart, no wooble, they shoot great for me.
as for picking a self defense round, well thats a very personal decision but honestly a solid copper projectile is best as it has no jacket, it can be pushed very fast, it maintains virtually all its weight and has penetration as well, downside its a bit more costly.
the second choice in my opinion is any brand of modern self defense designed projectile( hollow point) as they are computer designed with tapering jackets, bonded cores and usually are going to produce the best of both expansion and penetration in a given round.
AS to FBI protocol it makes no sense to me to worry about such unless its a duty round thats carried by law enforcement,, I mean if you get into shooting through automobiles and windshields then you are really pushing the self defense envelope.
I think any of the modern self defense factory rounds do their job very well, the thing is make sure they run in your gun flawlessly, don't matter what Officer BOB that lives down the street uses or the FBI if it won't run reliabally in your weapon.
First i load Plated in every caliber that i shoot, 380, 9MM, 38 Super, 10 MM, 45 Acp.(for plinking/target!
the projectiles cost me a fair bit less than FMJ and certainly about half of what JHP cost.
I have tried both Rainers & berrys in .355 ( my 38 supers) and they really do not expand even at those velocities when fired through milk jugs of water, the nose does deform a bit but nothing that i consider expansion, these are in 1250 FPS range out my 5 inch 38 super.(115 & 124 grain)
at 9Mm velocites, not a chance they will expand, and I also used the 115 grain hollow point Raniers, no real difference in the projectile except that it caved in a bit at the hollow point opening.
as for soft swaged lead core, thats right but the plating makes a difference , same as to reloading data.
I push the 38 Super as mentioned in the 1250 FPS, the 10 MM at 1400 and a bit FPS, the 9mm is in the 1050-1100 FPS, no flying apart, no wooble, they shoot great for me.
as for picking a self defense round, well thats a very personal decision but honestly a solid copper projectile is best as it has no jacket, it can be pushed very fast, it maintains virtually all its weight and has penetration as well, downside its a bit more costly.
the second choice in my opinion is any brand of modern self defense designed projectile( hollow point) as they are computer designed with tapering jackets, bonded cores and usually are going to produce the best of both expansion and penetration in a given round.
AS to FBI protocol it makes no sense to me to worry about such unless its a duty round thats carried by law enforcement,, I mean if you get into shooting through automobiles and windshields then you are really pushing the self defense envelope.
I think any of the modern self defense factory rounds do their job very well, the thing is make sure they run in your gun flawlessly, don't matter what Officer BOB that lives down the street uses or the FBI if it won't run reliabally in your weapon.