TexasCHLforum.com

nj0ywatch1np0rn wrote:how do these compare to Hornady's TAP?

Well, the TAP ammunition uses XTP bullets. The difference between that and the regular XTP seems to be nickel-plated cases and powder specially made to minimize muzzle flash on the TAP. This new ammo uses a nickel-plated case as well as minimal-flash powder, so the difference appears only to be the bullet itself. The bullet design is very similar to the XTP, but the dimensions appear to be slightly different, probably tuned for performance with the polymer insert.

So from what I can tell, they are nearly the same round, with the exception of the special bullet designed for enhanced reliability against clothing barrier stoppage. Ballistically, it appears that the new bullet performs and expands the same as the XTP, so it doesn't look like there are any detractors by switching from TAP to the Critical Defense round.

casingpoint wrote: The energy dump theory has been downgraded in some circles as a major factor in incapacitation. But incapacitation/stop rates in police shootings increased dramatically wherever the Super Vel hollowpoint ammo replace ball rounds. What's your take on this?

I was unaware that clogging is a significant problem with modern hollow points like the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST rounds. Again, experience and comments on this very important issue?

This is why you see so many ballistics test run with terrycloth or denim in front of the testing media. Informal tests by a number of folks have found that sometimes the cavities on the bullets fill up with clothing material, keeping the bullet from expanding and acting ballistically similar to a FMJ round. There is a slight advantage to using JHP even if the bullet does expand: the front of the bullet still has sharp edges, and tears through the edges of organs that a smooth fmj might simply push aside.

As for sources, the ammunition is relatively new, so not a lot of places have it. I know that Ammunition To Go carries it, at least in .380 ACP and .38 Special. Unless you're in the vicinity of Brenham, you'll have to order it from them, though.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... ollow-poin" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... tx-hp-ammo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;