I am wondering if a hollow point 223 will give adequate penetration  or if it will just make a large but shallow wound has anyone done any hunting with the wolf 55gr hollow points? I have them loaded up for home defense, good idea?

FYI, There is an Ammunition forum for questions like this w/ an ammo fac attached to the top of the forum which will more than likely answer your question.

Mike

PS - make mine for home the 64 grn. Win PP and PP+

Quoted: I am wondering if a hollow point 223 will give adequate penetration  or if it will just make a large but shallow wound has anyone done any hunting with the wolf 55gr hollow points? I have them loaded up for home defense, good idea?

There are so many variables here I don't know where to begin.

Which hollowpoint?  What weight?  What barrel length?

Drop this question into the ammo forum and we'll getcha all the answers!

In the 5.56 Performance FAQ at the Maryland AR-15 Shooters Site we have a table on the penetrative capabilities of many HP & SP rounds (as well as FMJ) in calibrated 10% Ballistic Gelatin (courtesy of the IWBA Journal).  In general the most HP rounds don't penetrate enough - and of those that do - most of them don't fragment or expand (i.e. they are 'match rounds').

Also note the table has values fired from a carbine (16") - 20" should be a bit more.

Check out the table here:
communities.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/556performance.msnw

Read a bit further into the FAQ and you will find a list of rounds that are recommended for LEO use - also note several of these don't expand even though they are Hollowpoints...