|
Fashion and 'Common Wisdom'
A 200 to 230 grain lead SWC at 850 to 1000 feet per second is a rather potent and useful defensive round. It is certainly more effective than a similar RNJ and probably more effective than a JHP that fails (for any reason) to expand. The defined leading edge of the bullet tends to tear things it hits rather than slide around them.
In the period between the Second World War and the 1990s, such a loading became very popular and widely used. This was the period the more adventurous folks were starting to carry auto pistols and finding FMJ somewhat lacking.
In the 80s and 90s, reliable hollow points became more and more available. The jacketed hollow point gave less leading - always a plus - and became more 'desirable' in the same way wide white wall tires were replaced by narrow white walls.
Then there's the 'legality' argument. From which I will refrain.
The sum total is now 'everyone knows' JHP are the dernier cri of defensive handgun rounds.
However, in terms of self-defense effectiveness, lead SWC still do a fine job; within the limits of any hand gun level round.
|