Making Your own Hollowpoints

rvd

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I wasn't sure where to ask this so here goes..

I have a nice stash of Surplus Ammo in 7.62X54r that I shoot at the range.. They're all FMJ obviously but the question I had was is it possible to make hollowpoints out of these? Reason I ask is I remember a few years back, a long time ammo reloader told me I could take the bullet and drill holes in the center of it.. My question is, since they're all pointed do you have to fille the point flat then drill the hole in the center? I have done this with rimfires but never with centerfires..
Has anybody tried this before? Is there anything dangerous that can happen? Other than possibly screwing up the BC of the bullet and it's accuracy what else could happen?

We do fun shoots at my range where we shoot at 2L water bottles, watermellons etc I thought some hollopoints would be nicer to hit them with instead of FMJ..

thanks
 
The problem with making a hollowpoint out of an FMJ is that the base of the bullet is not enclosed by the jacket.

So by filing the tip off of the bullet, it is said that there is the possibility of shooting the core out and leaving the jacket sleeved in the barrel - a very dangerous barrel obstruction.

I've never seen it, but I imagine it might be a possibility with un-bonded or steel cored bullets, so I just wouldn't take the chance.
 
why not start reloading the 54r? From what i gather your going to have to start reloading sooner or later due to supply.

Drilling holes in the tops of bullets doesn't sound fun or safe. are they steel cored rounds?
 
I plan on getting into reloading eventually.. I already have a set of RCBS dies, I just the rest of the gear..

From what I read on that "dum dum" article lol its seems ok to file the X or Flatten the bullet tip out... I'll try and few and see but i'll make SURE to pull the bolt and check the bore after EVERY shot fired.

By the way, the rounds are steel core.. They're 1986 Albanian Steel Core Light Ball. 147.8gr spitzer boat tail.
 
don't think you will get the expansion from a steel core. not sure , but in the "dum dum" write up they appeared to be lead cored

yes you're right, i'm not going to bother trying it with steelcore.. I had bought some commercial softpoint ammo from Igman but i'm all out of it.. Only got some S&B and surplus left over..

I'll just shoot them the way they are.
 
Im new at this.. but could you not pull the bullet and replace it with a soft or hallow point?

like Woodchopper said
 
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I have a nice stash of Surplus Ammo in 7.62X54r that I shoot at the range.. They're all FMJ obviously but the question I had was is it possible to make hollowpoints out of these?

I bet my boots that your FMJs have steel core and steel jacket, thus making terrible HP.
Pull the bullets, ditch them and replace them with bulk 303 bullets if you can come across any. If you are very anal and perfectionist benchrester, you can size the .312 down to .311, but even 312 will work just fine.

Pull one bullet, cut it in halves and see what it's made of. Or use magnet.
 
The problem with making a hollowpoint out of an FMJ is that the base of the bullet is not enclosed by the jacket.

So by filing the tip off of the bullet, it is said that there is the possibility of shooting the core out and leaving the jacket sleeved in the barrel - a very dangerous barrel obstruction.

I've never seen it, but I imagine it might be a possibility with un-bonded or steel cored bullets, so I just wouldn't take the chance.

I'v herd of that happening. Scarry thought
 
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