Why Hollow Points Fly Straight

by
at Hornady Manufacturing Co. posted on January 10, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hp-1.jpg

The starting point for an accurate bullet is the jacket concentricity. You have to have a bullet that has a very concentric jacket. If it gets over .001” it will definitely show up on the target. Generally speaking, spending a lot of time trying to get jackets under .0005” is not going to get you much because this will be covered up by a lot of other things.

From a pure physics standpoint, a hollow point does have some advantages for trying to achieve greater accuracy. A lot of bullets are “over stabilized” in the common barrel twist rates that are used in competition. When a bullet is over-stabilized it will take it longer to “go to sleep” or stabilize, following any disturbance at the point of muzzle exit. Hollow point bullets literally have no lead in a significant portion of the jacket at the front of the bullet. This results in a bullet that is longer for a given bullet weight than, say, a soft point bullet with lead all the way to the nose. The result of the longer bullet for the same weight, coupled with the hollow cavity in the nose, is a bullet with a more rearward center of gravity and a slightly lower stability.

The bottom line is the bullet goes to sleep quicker and you achieve better accuracy. You can go too far with this, however, and get a bullet that will fly point first but never go to sleep, never stop yawing, and it will shoot all over the paper.

Latest

NRA App Mar2026 2
NRA App Mar2026 2

Your NRA In Your Pocket: Official App Now Available on iOS and Android

The NRA’s new official app offers a digital membership card, NRA-ILA news, digital magazines, local event search and exclusive member benefits on iOS and Android.

Historic Runs and Budget Storm Clouds: 1991 National Matches

The 1991 National Matches featured dominant performances by David Tubb Steve Reiter and Lones Wigger amid budget uncertainty and extreme weather.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Guide to Using a Sling for ARC

Kyle Lamb breaks down how a two-point quick-adjust sling stabilizes prone, kneeling and standing positions while enabling fast transitions during ARC competition.

NRA Honorary Club Recognition Has Returned

NRA announces Honorary Club recognition for Precision Pistol shooters who achieved elite scores from 2018 through 2025 after a six-year pause.

How Volunteers Are The Heartbeat of USPSA

Why volunteers are the backbone of practical shooting and how every contribution fuels the sport’s continued growth.

Turner Parcell Takes HOA at 2026 NSCA East Coast Championship

Team Remington’s Turner Parcell wins HOA with 187/200 at the 2026 NSCA East Coast Championship. Teammate Michael Luongo sweeps 12-Gauge and 20-Gauge events at Hunters Pointe.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.