What are "hollow point" bullets designed for?

Hollow point bullets are specifically designed to expand upon impact, which significantly increases their stopping power. This design allows the bullet to create a larger wound channel when it strikes a target, leading to greater tissue damage and a higher likelihood of incapacitation.

The hollow tip of these bullets causes them to mushroom or expand as they penetrate the target, transferring more of the bullet's energy into the target and causing more effective tissue disruption than full metal jacket bullets, which typically pass through without significant expansion. The intent behind this design is often related to self-defense and hunting, where it is crucial to stop a threat effectively and humanely.

The other designs do not focus on expansion but rather on different physical properties of the bullet. For example, minimizing bullet drop, reducing recoil, and improving speed address aspects such as trajectory, shooting comfort, and flight dynamics rather than the stopping power upon impact.