.223 & 7.62x39 FMJ vs HP vs SP questions

For the purpose of hunting hogs mostly and possibly deer...

FMJ...I've always imagimed FMJ would drill the same size hole on entry and exit if it didn't hit bone. Not sure what it would do if bone were involved.

HP...I never really knew what to expect from HP, they are what my questin is REALLY about. How would they perform on hogs or deer (body shots)?

SP... For hunting I always try to find SP ammo. SP is hard to come by especially for 7.62 x 39 so I'm really wondering how HP will perform.


So is my thinking correct?

Is Hp a good alternative for hogs if SP is not available or is HP just as good?

How would FMJ perfom for body shots?

I have shot all of the above on pigs and yotes.

FMJ unless you hit the CNS results were multiple shots and it still running a little ways.

Hollow Pts. are nasty in 223 and result in good kills on yotes and small pigs (under 200lb) in 7.62 they are good on pigs cause they hold their weight and dont explode.

Soft point in both is better penetration and good kills when hit in the vitals. Kinda depends on the brand of 223 also and the weight of the bullet

I have shot the 7.62.39 hollow points and have found out that performance varies wildly amoung brands, some of the cheap ammo companies produce hollow points that are merely FMJ with a small dip in the point so they can sell them as hollow points. These rounds dont perform well at all.


I think you are better off sticking with lead tips, after all they are the most consistant from brand to brand; and last time I was at wal-mart I think i saw 7.62x39 with lead tip that were loaded by winchester super-X.

That's my problem... finding SP ammo in the cheaper stuff, like Golden Bear whatever... There's lots of FMJ, some HP but SP is hard to find.

Rick, I have seen the cheap soft point stuff at a couple of Fort Worth gun shows recently, but I don't recall who was selling it.

I have a related question...do the cheap 7.62x39 Russian soft points expand and penetrate on deer as well as name-brand bullets? Any first-hand experience?

Yes the wolf 154 gr soft points do some damage. Both my boys got their first deer with that bullet. And their first hog.

I'd use any of them, but would only go for a neck/spine shot. With any bullet from either caliber the hog will be DRT.

For deer I can't recommend anything but a SP from either. Especially for a chest shot.