Originally posted by: tcsenter
there are hollow point bullets, which rupture and individual shards of metal screw up the body in question.
Hollow point bullets are not implicitly fragmenting bullets. There are fragmenting hollow points and there are non-fragmenting hollow points.
The infamous and sensationalized Black Talon was one of only a few commercially available fragmenting hollow points. Most in fact are designed to retain as much mass as possible. The hollow point 'chamber' is designed to enhance expansion or 'mushrooming' in a controlled and predictable manner. The goal is two-fold: to create a larger wound channel and to maximize resistance so the bullet imparts all its energy before exiting.
The lead designer of the Black Talon also designed Winchester's line of "Ranger" and "SXT" hollow points.
there was a movement to ban some sort of plastic composite bullet called a "cop killer" on account of its ability to penatrate kevlar, but i know little about that.
The funny thing is, that bullet was
NOT designed to penetrate Kevlar vests. Yet another example of media sensationalism.
The "teflon" bullet was developed by a company founded by a couple FORMER COPS. Their intent was to develop 'specialty' ammunition and other equipment FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. The "teflon" bullet they developed was specifically designed to enhance penetration of auto body panels and auto glass, not bullet resistant vests. It was not even measurably more likely to defeat standard bullet resistant vests of the type and level recommended for law enforcement by the Department of Justice. It did have enhanced penetration of first generation Kevlar vests which were largely not being used anymore. The company marketed this bullet ONLY to law enforcement agencies. It was never offered for sale to the general public nor did the company have any plans to make it available to the general public.
It was CBS News who created the myth of the "cop killer bullet" in an "expose" by a journalist with deep sympathies for the antigun movement. I think it was CBS who sensationalized the Black Talon, too, but I can't remember for certain.
For a good 10 - 12 years during the 1980's and into the 1990's, there was an identifiable pattern of gun-related reporting by CBS News that was materially misleading and factually problematic. The results of that misinformation campaign still linger in the form of widedly held misconceptions among members of public who are not well-informed about firearms.
Don't get me started on the myth of "plastic guns" which can defeat metal detectors and X-ray machines used for security purposes.
