bullets

Under each caliber and weight selection, there will be a description of the design purpose and uses of that particular bullet.  Also, there will be pictures of expanded bullets at different velocities.  In the descriptions, there will be reference to the functional impact velocity (FIV) and the preferred impact velocity (PIV).  The FIV describes the impact velocity limits of the bullet from the minimum opening velocity, up to the maximum impact velocity.  In this case, the maximum impact velocity is defined by the highest velocity, where the bullet would have a high degree of probability of maintaining its structural integrity; in other words, stay in one mass.

The bullets are designed with a solid rear section that would keep on penetrating should the mushroom become separated, but that velocity is practically unlimited and is not used in determining the FIV.   The PIV refers to the impact velocities that would elicit the best performance from the bullet, considering the intended purpose of that bullet.  In some cases, the upper limits of the FIV cannot be directly determined because the cartridge that was used could not deliver the velocity to take the bullet to it’s upper limits.  In that case the FIV was chosen by investigation of other bullets of similar design or lighter bullets in the same caliber, which could be driven faster.

Not all bullets have been photographed with a full spectrum of impact velocities and some bullets are still in development.  Please drop by again, as new photos will be added as more testing is done and time allows.

Under the bullets in each picture there are two numbers. The top number is the impact velocity in feet per second and the bottom number is the percentage of weight retention.