Top Hollow Point Ammo Brands: Leading Edge Performers

When it comes to choosing hollow point ammunition, selecting the right brand is crucial for both reliability and performance. The market boasts a variety of reputable manufacturers that have consistently delivered quality products to meet the needs of gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. From Winchester's iconic PDX1 Defender series to Speer Gold Dot's superior bonded core technology, each brand offers unique advantages tailored for different applications. Whether you're new to firearms or an experienced user seeking the best in hollow point technology, explore the comprehensive list of top brands below.

Illustration of hollow point

Best brands of hollow point in 2025

Hornady

Hornady is renowned as one of the best producers of hollow point ammunition, particularly with their Critical Defense and Critical Duty lines. These bullets feature the patented FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding) technology, which ensures reliable expansion even after passing through various types of clothing, a common issue with conventional hollow points. For instance, the Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain bullet achieves 152% expansion and 100% weight retention in ballistic gel tests. This technology has been refined over the years to provide consistent and effective performance, making Hornady a trusted name in self-defense ammunition. With extensive testing, including ballistics gelatin tests, Hornady's products have demonstrated superior reliability and effectiveness. For more detailed information, visit their Critical Defense page.

Federal Premium

Federal Premium is renowned as one of the best producers of hollow point ammunition, particularly with its HST (Hydraulic Shock Technology) line, which has been proven in FBI test protocols and features a hollow point designed to expand consistently without plugging up through various barriers. Introduced to law enforcement in 2002 and commercially available since 2013, the HST lineup now includes 11 loads, offering superior terminal performance with near 100-percent weight retention and optimal penetration. The HST ammunition is available in multiple calibers, including four different 9mm loads, .45 ACP +P, .357 SIG, and others. Its unique primer and nickel-plated case ensure ultimate function and reliability in semi-automatic handguns. Federal Premium's commitment to innovation and quality has made the HST a trusted choice for both law enforcement and personal defense.

Remington

Remington is renowned as one of the top producers of hollow point ammunition, known for its high-performance and reliable products. In the ammunition market, Remington's hollow point bullets, such as the 115gr JHP, are praised for their good penetration and expansion, making them suitable for full-sized pistols and longer barrels. The brand's updates in their product lines, including handgun, shotshell, rimfire, and rifle ammunition, were highlighted in February 2023, showcasing their commitment to innovation. Remington's products are widely used in commercial shooting applications, contributing to the brand's significant market presence. With a long history of producing quality ammunition, Remington continues to be a leader in the industry.

Winchester

Winchester is renowned as one of the best producers of hollow point ammunition, particularly with their Match series, which has been trusted by hunters and competitive shooters for generations since its founding in 1866. The Winchester Match 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition, for example, features a 140-grain hollow-point boat tail (HP-BT) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2710 feet per second and muzzle energy of 2283 foot pounds, ensuring high accuracy and performance. This ammunition is designed for use in rifles with fast twist barrels and is known for its sleek profile and large boattail, maximizing long-range accuracy. The brand's commitment to quality and precision has made it a staple in the shooting world. With its high-performance products, Winchester continues to set standards in the ammunition industry.

Speer

Speer is renowned as one of the best producers of hollow point ammunition, particularly with their Gold Dot line, which is engineered for optimum performance. Each Gold Dot hollow point cavity is precisely tuned by specific caliber and bullet weight to ensure consistent expansion and penetration, meeting the stringent tests developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This two-step cavity formation process allows for controlled expansion rates, making Gold Dot rounds highly reliable for self-defense. With variations available in multiple calibers, including 9mm with 115, 124, 135, and 147gr bullets, Speer caters to a wide range of firearms and user needs. The Gold Dot rounds are known for their consistent expansion and minimal tumbling in ballistic gel tests.

Sig Sauer

Sig Sauer is renowned for its high-quality hollow point ammunition, particularly the V-Crown defense loads, which are available in calibers such as .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, and .45 ACP. These loads are designed for reliable expansion and penetration, with the .45 ACP load showing close performance to competing loads like Federal HST in terms of penetration depth. The V-Crown bullets feature a wide opening, similar to Federal Hydra-Shok, ensuring effective expansion. In tests, the Sig Sauer V-Crown ammo exhibited consistent accuracy and reliability, with no feeding problems or malfunctions reported. This makes Sig Sauer a trusted brand for self-defense ammunition.

Barnes

Barnes Bullets is renowned for its exceptional hollow point ammunition, particularly the TAC-XPD and TAC-XP lines, which are praised for their reliable expansion, deep penetration, and high weight retention. These bullets, made from monolithic copper, ensure devastating energy transfer and quick, clean stops, making them a favorite among law enforcement, hunters, and self-defense users. The TAC-XPD, for example, maintains its weight post-impact, with tests showing minimal weight loss, and it achieves impressive expansion diameters, such as 0.74 to 0.78 inches in gel tests. Barnes Bullets has solidified its position as a trusted brand, innovating and refining designs to enhance ballistic performance. Their commitment to quality and environmental responsibility further underscores their reputation. Discover more about Barnes TAC-XPD hollow point ammunition.

CCI

CCI, or Cascade Cartridge Inc., is renowned as one of the best producers of hollow point ammunition, particularly with its innovative products like the CCI Stinger, introduced in 1975, and the recent Clean-22 Hyper Velocity ammunition launched in 2023. CCI's hollow point bullets, such as those in the Velocitor line, offer high velocity and reliable performance, with the Velocitor traveling at 1435 fps. The company, founded by Dick Speer in the early 1950s, has been a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor until its sale to the Czechoslovak Group in November 2024. CCI's products are highly regarded for their accuracy and effectiveness, making them a favorite among hunters and shooters. As of 2020, CCI employed about 1,100 people and continues to expand its product lines.

Sierra

Sierra Bullets is renowned for its exceptional hollow point bullets, particularly the MatchKing and GameChanger series, which are engineered for precision and reliable expansion. The MatchKing bullets feature a hollow point design with a very small meplat and a boat tail shape, enhancing their ballistic coefficient and accuracy. The GameChanger bullets combine match accuracy with a hollow point design for quick expansion and are fitted with a transparent green tip for ballistic uniformity. Sierra's meticulous manufacturing process ensures that each bullet meets high standards, with weight held to within ±0.3 grain and concentricity variation of 0.0003 in maximum. This attention to detail has made Sierra a top choice for both competitive shooters and hunters.

Nosler

Nosler, Inc. is renowned for its high-performance hollow-point and soft-point bullets, particularly notable for their revolutionary designs such as the Partition® and Ballistic Tip®. These bullets are engineered for optimal accuracy, deep penetration, and significant weight retention, making them a favorite among hunters and defensive users. For instance, Nosler's AccuBond® technology ensures the jacket and core remain together, providing better barrier penetration and weight retention, with some bullets maintaining up to 95% weight retention. Their ASP (Assured Stopping Power) rounds, available in 9mm with weights of 115-gr., 124-gr., and 147-gr., are designed for duty and defensive use, offering consistent and accurate performance. With over 60 years of experience in bullet manufacturing, Nosler continues to innovate and deliver top-tier ammunition. For more detailed information, visit their official website.