What is the purpose of hollow point bullets?

• A. To expand upon entry to make a larger wound cavity
• B. To vaporize on impact
• C. To increase velocity
• D. To penetrate armor

Answer: (A)

Hollow point bullets are designed to expand when they hit a target, mushrooming to create a larger wound cavity. This expansion happens because the hollow cavity in the tip causes the jacket and core to deform as they penetrate, increasing the bullet’s diameter inside tissue. The result is greater energy transfer over a shorter distance, which helps incapacitate more quickly and reduces the likelihood that the bullet will over-penetrate and exit the target, potentially harming others.

That’s why this option is the best choice. The other ideas don’t fit: hollow points aren’t meant to vaporize on impact, they don’t inherently increase velocity, and standard hollow points are not designed to penetrate armor (in fact, they generally penetrate less than full‑metal‑jacket rounds).