Smyth Busters: Are All Hollow-Point Bullets Meant to Expand?
This video debunks the myth that all hollow-point bullets are designed to expand. Brownells Gun Techs Steve and Caleb explain that while handgun hollow-points and many hunting rifle hollow-points (like Sierra GameKing) are designed for expansion to increase terminal ballistics, match-grade target hollow-points utilize the cavity for a centered air bubble to improve the ballistic coefficient by reducing air resistance. They also note that hollow-point construction can be easier to manufacture uniformly than solid points, which are more susceptible to damage during handling. The video clearly illustrates that the function of a hollow-point varies based on its intended application.






