The various hydroshock type pullets ie flat nosed mono metal bullets were originally invented to get around idiotic laws against lead or lead core bullets in such places as California.

If the bullet is banded they do give eg a double rifle or other rifle with a thinner barrel an ability to shoot a solid type bullet, as a lead core is not possible. The lead core has some give for the rifling as compared to a mono solid which doesn't.

The flat nose is a compromise between a FMJ or round nose solid and a solid point or other controlled expansion bullet.

The reason the mono bullets are usually light for calibre is not because they have all the penetration they need, so they are going for flatter trajectory. Instead it is because mono bullets are heavy for length, and a full weight bullet would be too long if it was a mono solid. Therefore you might get a 230 gr mono instead of a 300 gr FMJ. The 230 gr mono may still be longer than the 300 gr FMJ.

I have seen and heard various reports on them often quite different from the usual ones on the net.

Myself I regard them as essential for places like California but everywhere a fad and a compromise.

My reasoning? Lets take the most essential use for a FMJ or Solid. Elephant hunting. I would not take a light weight mono bullet at high velocity against an elephant's skull or other heavy bones. There are reasons the 300 gr in .375, the 400 gr in .400's, the 480 to 500 gr in the .450's etc have always been the best choices. Why sacrifice lesser weight for a fad flat nose mono bullet. Speed is not needed, penetration and section density is. I still think these light for calibre monos will deflect more. JMO.

Secondly why use a mono or solid for medium game hunting? Many reports of inadequate expansion. Just like any other solid. Sometimes solids are used for lesser meat or skin/fur damage of course. Why not just use a good controlled expansion soft point bullet? The bullet that is proved to work the best. I don't really understand the excitement about them, other than being marketing buzz.

The "hydro" bubble in front of a flat nose, sounds like to me a lot of pseudo science. JMO. But obviously better than a pointed spitzer mil style FMJ if comparing. The big holes in medium game photos ... well they can be seen with other bullets. I have a photo of a pig where its rear leg and hip is almost blown off.

One problem hydro style bullets may be compensating for, is the extreme velocity cartridges that exist today. It is a simple fact that many bullets or no bullets on the market exist for these cartridges. For example some of the bigger bore high velocity cartridges. Simply put there are no controlled expansion bullets designed to work reliably for them. One reason for big bores, smart guys go for increased calibre diameter, and bullet weight, not increased velocity eg the .460 Wvy Mag vs a .500 Jeffery. It is not rocket science which is more effective. Anyway a flat mono bullet may be an answer for such extreme velocity cartridges, and would probably be very effective in them.

A lot of this is off topic!

Claydog,

It would be interesting if you ever tried your .275 on buffalo. No doubt it can kill a buffalo with a good heart shot or just above the heart. Brain or spine shot too. I reckon a good 175 gr Woodleigh SP would do the job. Be interesting to see what a hydro in 7mm would do. Of course with the limitations that a small calibre has for lesser ability for dropping wounded or charging animals.

Good photos gentlemen and interesting comments.