Would a hollow point bullet expand at all if you held the pistol to your head?

BillyT · December 17, 2009, 01:56 PM

Just curious. Frustrated co-worker was joking about shooting himself, and said something about making sure it was a hollow point, and I replied that it wouldn't expand at all. Am I right or wrong?

Pbearperry · December 17, 2009, 02:05 PM

Is this a trick question just to see if there is any intelligent life in this forum?

BillyT · December 17, 2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Is this a trick question just to see if there is any intelligent life in this forum?

No.

Tamara · December 17, 2009, 02:16 PM

It would expand just fine. It's not like it needs a running start outside the barrel.

Your coworker should seek professional help.

**Vanya** · December 17, 2009, 02:38 PM

What Tamara said.

The expansion of a hollow point bullet depends on its velocity when it hits the target: higher velocity = more expansion. The bullet is going fastest right when it leaves the barrel of the gun (which is why people talk about "muzzle velocity" when comparing guns or loads); it slows down after that, so...

And yes, your co-worker needs counseling, or perhaps a different job.

sserdlihc · December 17, 2009, 02:42 PM

I would steer clear of that co-worker.

Ronbert · December 17, 2009, 02:49 PM

No bullet needed for major damage at that range.

Look up actor Jon-Erik Hexum's demise.

Alan Duke · December 17, 2009, 04:59 PM

Remarks like that should not be taken lightly. He needs to get help and a superviser needs to be informed. Statements like that can often be that person reaching out. Christmas time has a high suicide rate as well. Be careful.

Catfish25p2000 · December 17, 2009, 05:50 PM

Dude, this is kind of a creepy thread...

Sefner · December 17, 2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Ronbert

No bullet needed for major damage at that range.

True that. Although not every time. I remember a news story of a kid who shot himself in the face with a .25 in an attempt to end his life and lived. Also look up the suicide of Merriwether Lewis.

markj · December 17, 2009, 06:45 PM

I have seen first hand a guy shot in the left temple with a .22 using a hollow point. No exit and he was dead, he was my step brother, a bad scene altogether.

Better let his loved ones know so they can try to help him, I wish I had a heads up, things might be different today.

Tom2 · December 17, 2009, 06:46 PM

Don't turn your back on that guy and set closest to the exit with your back to the wall.

C Philip · December 17, 2009, 06:55 PM

Yes, it would expand. Look at some of the tests people do shooting water jugs, the bullet starts to expand right away.

LongRifles, Inc. · December 17, 2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Would a hollow point bullet expand at all if you held the pistol to your head?

Try it and set it up with direct internet video feed

**Bud Helms** · December 17, 2009, 07:21 PM

'Looks like we've answered the question, Yes it probably would expand. No, it doesn't make any difference at that range.

I'm thinking this topic can't stay on firearms and for that matter who would expect it to do so.

So, we're closed here.

December 17, 2009, 01:56 PM	#1
BillyT Junior Member Join Date: October 24, 2006 Posts: 14	Would a hollow point bullet expand at all if you held the pistol to your head? Just curious. Frustrated co-worker was joking about shooting himself, and said something about making sure it was a hollow point, and I replied that it wouldn't expand at all. Am I right or wrong?

December 17, 2009, 02:16 PM	#4
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 15,858	It would expand just fine. It's not like it needs a running start outside the barrel. Your coworker should seek professional help. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

December 17, 2009, 02:38 PM	#5
Vanya Staff Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 2,954	What Tamara said. The expansion of a hollow point bullet depends on its velocity when it hits the target: higher velocity = more expansion. The bullet is going fastest right when it leaves the barrel of the gun (which is why people talk about "muzzle velocity" when comparing guns or loads); it slows down after that, so... And yes, your co-worker needs counseling, or perhaps a different job. __________________ Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking; where it is absent, discussion is apt to become worse than useless. - Leo Tolstoy

December 17, 2009, 02:42 PM	#6
sserdlihc Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,390	I would steer clear of that co-worker. __________________ Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. Aupleius If someone doesn't like you, that's their problem! Milton Childress

December 17, 2009, 05:50 PM	#9
Catfish25p2000 Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2009 Posts: 263	Dude, this is kind of a creepy thread... __________________ This is the best country on earth... Lets go do some shooting and celebrate!!!

December 17, 2009, 02:05 PM	#2
Pbearperry Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 283	Is this a trick question just to see if there is any intelligent life in this forum?

December 17, 2009, 02:49 PM	#7
Ronbert Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2009 Location: Ft. Collins, CO. Posts: 398	No bullet needed for major damage at that range. Look up actor Jon-Erik Hexum's demise.

December 17, 2009, 04:59 PM	#8
Alan Duke Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2009 Location: Tomball,TX Posts: 111	Remarks like that should not be taken lightly. He needs to get help and a superviser needs to be informed. Statements like that can often be that person reaching out. Christmas time has a high suicide rate as well. Be careful.

December 17, 2009, 06:45 PM	#11
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,837	I have seen first hand a guy shot in the left temple with a .22 using a hollow point. No exit and he was dead, he was my step brother, a bad scene altogether. Better let his loved ones know so they can try to help him, I wish I had a heads up, things might be different today.

December 17, 2009, 06:46 PM	#12
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,644	Don't turn your back on that guy and set closest to the exit with your back to the wall. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

December 17, 2009, 06:55 PM	#13
C Philip Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 784	Yes, it would expand. Look at some of the tests people do shooting water jugs, the bullet starts to expand right away.

December 17, 2009, 07:21 PM	#15
Bud Helms Staff Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 12,912	'Looks like we've answered the question, Yes it probably would expand. No, it doesn't make any difference at that range. I'm thinking this topic can't stay on firearms and for that matter who would expect it to do so. So, we're closed here. __________________ "The irony of the Information Age is that it has given new respectability to uninformed opinion." - John Lawton, speaking to the American Association of Broadcast Journalists in 1995