Been so long since seeing "hydrostatic shock" discussed as real, I
will confess to be taken aback. First and foremost, small arms and
their munitions are designed to kill, not maim. One of the reasons
full metal jackets remain in play is the fact that
a standard is necessary for economy of scale purchasing, and the
rounds submitted for consideration ranged from small explosive devices
to hollowpoints that clogged so easily as to be rendered FMJ's and
nothing else. The capability to fire through barriers is of prime
consideration, and that opens yet another can of worms in deciding
what type of expanding ammo sould be employed. Pressure wave
incapacitation comes from velocity, and velocity alone, and is a
science as opposed to hydrostatic mumbo-jumbo. Rifle's employing
5.56 mm or 7.62 mm NATO cartridges have giddyup from 3000-3600 feet per
second, and the wounding is incurred...from full metal jackets, mind
you...by the speed of the round and not it's paltry weight.
Handguns are a different story, and SHOULD expand to provide the
maximum level of incapacitation. Disregarding central nervous
system hits, most targets are not killed in the snap of a finger as
seen in theatrical presentations, and even the best of munitions can
merely wound. The handgun round relies upon size and placement to
perform the task, and since modern armies must now also provide weapon
systems for those small of stature, recoil is of prime
consideration.
Most NATO countries cheat anyway when manufacturing FMJ's. as there is no super-dee-duper inspector general
prancing about to assure that the jacket meets minimal standards, and
the French in particular create rounds that are almost painted with
copper and not truly jacketed. (Saves lots of money)
The debate has been raging for well over a hundred years, and to keep
it simple law enforcement and miltary experts advise the following:
Any bullet over 2500 FPS can introduce an
unsurvivable wound regardless of it's design due to the effects of
pressure waves upon the target. Any bullet of a lower velocity should
mushroom to create a larger wound channel.