Fastest,
So if I understand you...
Would you recommend a wadcutter for self defense?...I'm thinking in a revolver.
Now in a semi, a truncated cone?
It seems, by your argument, that using a hollowpoint is just asking for trouble unless you are able to hit someone in flesh devoid of bony structures.
And these would be driven at greater velocities?
I currently use 147gr WWB personal defense in my 9mm.
It depends on the specific caliber. What people seem to forget about when they increase caliber is the geometric increase in powder space inside the cylinder we call a shell casing. Due to this, as you increase caliber what you are capable of shooting, and how fast, changes.
All I'm trying to get at is a few ignored, rather specific facts.
If I am legally justified in shooting, as a general rule, the bad guy has to be pointing a gun at me. This means my shot to get to COM, if shooting for lungs, heart, or spine is going to have to go through his arms.
I believe this is going to require a bullet that retains energy, and goes to the 18" Urey Patrick recommends in gelatin, ala FBI, or more.
All of the guys that have ever attacked me, and the one with a gun, were huge, well over 275 pounds, and big. Our prison system also has done an excellent job of creating big, strong, criminals as well.
I would consider 9mm and . 45 ACP marginal with HP's for game this size. None of the 'data' collected on shootings has figured in the size factor. Another major concern. In fact I'm not sure there is any real data concerning shootings, other then war, and that's with hardball.
What I recommend is looking at the caliber you are using, and see if it's capable of getting 18" of penetration in the first place. If not, use something else.
If it is, find a bullet that expands as much as possible, but still goes that 18",
and does it EVERYTIME.
If possible, always choose a bullet with a larger meplat, and flat nose, over a rounded bullet. If you can find a hollow point that penetrates 18" in gelatin, in the caliber you are using, use it. If not, be aware of the fact that the 1 foot of penetration your HP gives you might be used up in going through the bad person's arms, so change your target.
Be aware of the type of scenario you are likely to encounter. My bad guys are most likely very big, and in gangs, so I am likely to face at least 2-3 bad guys.
Specific:WWB HP's at 147 grains. I use the HST's. Everytime you start thinking you have a magic bullet, pull out a ruler, put it on your arms, and extend your arms toward a target, with a gun in your hand.
Realize how little penetration 14" really is, and how long your arms are. If you hit the guys arms you MIGHT stop him from shooting at you, with that arm. He's still in the fight.
Also watch how hps act in gelatin. All the energy and damage is done generally in the first 4-6". Look at brassfetcher for this. Put that ruler up to your chest, and realize that if you miss the heart, your best chance of stopping the guy is the spine. Realize that some people have very deep chests, and that bullet might not get through the spine bones to the
nerves, since it's lost most of it's power in the front half of penetration.
Also at the end of their wound channel hollow points aren't really that good at smashing anything, since they have mushroomed, slowed down, and lack the profile for penetrating bone.
I'm not saying don't use hollow points. I AM saying tailor the hollow point to the caliber, use a generally heavier hollow point then most recommend. Also they need to be moving fast, 1200-1500 fps ideally.
If you can't get that, have a look at another bullet design.
In a revolver I use .45 Colt, with 260 grain LFN style bullets at 800 fps.
I am VERY fast, I can point shoot VERY well. It penetrates, and I hit what I aim at.
For other stuff I use the loads listed in my previous post.