Bullet Bio: Hornady FTX

by
posted on December 2, 2015
hornady_flex_tip_f.jpg

There is no American-made rifle more iconic than the lever action. Even in today’s long-range world, the lever action rifle remains popular. It's popular as a first gun for a new hunter, and it's popular as a woods rifle for seasoned veterans. One of the limiting features of lever action rifles, like the tube fed Marlins and Winchesters, has always been the inability to load pointed bullets in the magazine, for fear of a bullet’s sharp nose setting off the primer on the cartridge ahead of it.

In 2005 Hornady solved this worry with the introduction of its Flex Tip bullet. Hornady replaced the common hard Delrin tip used in a variety of spitzer-type bullets, like its SST and Nosler’s Ballistic Tip, with a soft, malleable rubber tip. This rubber-like tip served three purposes. First, it was soft enough to eliminate the worry of setting off the primer on the cartridge in front of it. Second, its sharpness increased the ballistic coefficient of the bullet so that it would fly flatter. And finally, due to the malleability of the tip, it helped initiate expansion as it was pressed into the core of the bullet.

Sometimes problems that seem complicated are solved in a simple manner, and that’s how Hornady circumvented the restriction of pointy bullets in tube fed lever guns. These bullets were loaded in Hornady’s aptly named LEVERevolution ammunition and, quite frankly, revolutionized lever-action rifles. Hunters started looking at lever guns in a new light, because of the ammunition they now had on hand.

If there’s a complaint with the FTX bullet, it’s the same complaint that has plagued cup and core bullets since their inception more than 100 years ago. Sometimes the core can seperate from the jacket of a cup and core bullet. Now, as bad as this might sound, it’s only a real problem if this separation occurs very early during penetration. If that happens, penetration suffers and so does wounding. I’ve seen jacket and core separation with a number of bullets and I’ve seen it with the FTX.

However, I’ve never seen the jacket and core of an FTX bullet separate during initial penetration. Typically when it occurs, it’s at the end of penetration where the jacket begins to slow, due to its expansion, and the core pops out because it is heavier and harder to stop. Most frequently, the core is still inside the expanded jacket, it just falls out when the bullet is pulled from the dead deer. Such was the case with the whitetail buck I shot at about 20 yards with a .30-30 Winchester. 

One thing is for sure, Hornady FTX bullets are totally deer capable and they extend your range with a lever gun. Hornady is even applying these Flex Tips to other cartridges like the .300 Blackout because they enhance expansion at low velocity.

Latest

001 4BBT Holster 01
001 4BBT Holster 01

4 Reasons Big-Bore Revolvers Are Still Ideal Trail Guns

Although semi-automatic pistols have a place in the trail gun line up, revolvers still have their advantages.

First Look: Rise Reliant Bolt-Action Trigger

Rise Triggers has entered the bolt-action market with its first-ever trigger for the Remington 700 platform: the Reliant Hunter and Reliant Pro triggers.

NRA Announces New Club Leadership & Development Online Course

The National Rifle Association of America is pleased to announce the release of its newly revised edition of the NRA Club Leadership & Development Online Course.

USDA Order is a Win for Wildlife

Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memorandum to conserve and restore wildlife habitat connectivity in the United States, directing agencies within the USDA to consider habitat connectivity in planning and programs in a manner that recognizes State and Tribal authorities and respects private property rights.

Review: Beretta BRX1

Beretta calls the BRX1 the fastest manually operated repeating platform on the market. Quick barrel, bolt and magazine swaps and adjustable ergonomics make it a distinct alternative to the classic turn-bolt for just about anyone, and ambidextrous controls make the rifle an attractive choice for lefties.

Are Premium Steel Waterfowl Shells Worth the Price?

With prices approaching those of bismuth—a superior shot-making material—are top-tier steel loads worth the cost? Here is what you need to know to make an informed decision.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.