When it comes to choosing the right ammunition for your firearm, there are a lot of factors to consider. One of the most important is the type of bullet you use. Hollow point (HP) rounds are a popular choice for self-defense and hunting because they are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and increasing the likelihood of stopping a threat. But they are not the only option.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ammunition industry experienced a significant setback, leading to a shortage of ammunition across the country, particularly hollow point (HP) ammunition. It was during this period that I came across Underwood's Xtreme Defender ammunition, which is equipped with fluid transfer fluted bullets, designed by Lehigh Defense (owned by Wilson Combat). The flute on the bullet channels the hydraulic energy inward, causing it to accelerate outward with intense pressure spikes that cause significant damage to the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, it creates a drag effect similar to hollow point (HP) bullets, which effectively reduces over-penetration.

At first, I was hesitant to try them because they were not the traditional hollow point (HP) I was used to carry. However, due to the scarcity of ammo, I was prompted to seek feedback from various sources and watch online reviews about these bullets. After doing my research, I was impressed with the performance of the ammunition. Every review showed the rounds were accurate, reliable, and had excellent penetration on the gel test. The bullets were designed to penetrate through barriers such as clothing, glass, and sheet metal, making them an ideal choice for self-defense situations. Since then, I have been using Underwood's Xtreme Defender as my carry load. I feel confident knowing that I have reliable and effective ammunition that I can trust in case of an emergency.

I ensure that I change my carry ammunition every 6-12 months and buy a box for trial purposes. I have shot approximately 80-100 rounds of both the 90 grain Xtreme Defender's standard and +P versions and have not encountered any issues with these rounds on my Shield Plus 4", Canik TP9SF, and CZ 75 SP01 Tactical firearms. I have never noticed any bullet setback or any deformation on the rounds. There are no visible marks on the ramps, and I have never experienced any miss-feeding or stovepipes. I am pleased with these rounds, and every time someone makes a review, the results are always consistent.

A distinct advantage of non-expanding bullets over traditional hollow point (HP), lies in their ability deliver reliable terminal performance without relying on expansion. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where expansion may be hindered, such as when encountering barriers like heavy clothing, glass, or other intermediate barriers. Additionally, the absence of expansion in these rounds can also contribute to their reliability and consistency. By eliminating the reliance on expansion, these rounds offer a more consistent and predictable performance, making them an excellent choice for self-defense.

Furthermore, the solid copper construction provides excellent weight retention. This ensures that the round retains its mass and energy, allowing it to penetrate deeply and cause significant damage to vital organs or other critical structures.

The biggest deterrent for most people is that these rounds are relatively new in the market and haven't been adopted by any law enforcement agency. As a result, there is no real-life data available on their performance in real-life scenarios. However, the Lehigh Xtreme Defender was extensively tested in the 2016-17 Joint Agency Ballistic Test For Defensive Handgun Ammunition (PDF).

As per the 2016 Joint Agency Ballistics Test Report for defensive handgun ammunition, the Xtreme Defender has surpassed even the hollow points on tissue tests conducted on dead animal tissue. Additionally, the round has been found to be the most dependable among all the tested rounds (refer to page 32 for details).

For those who think this will only work in a non-compressible fluid like gel as we initially did, we can confirm that this technology works extremely well in actual animal tissue with or without barriers...tissue tests confirmed that in over 100 shots the measured wound channel was not only larger than that of an FMJ but in most cases was the largest wound channel produced in that caliber compared to all other rounds to include fully functioning hollow points.

Reliability and Consistency. Every single shot did roughly the same thing. There is a 0% chance of failure to function because there can be no failure to tumble or expand (because they don’t) and no chance to fragment. This was the most reliable and consistent round tested

Underwood is not the only one loading Lehigh's Xtreme Defender bullets. Wilson Combat, who adquired Lehigh last earlier this year, also are offering loads with Xtreme Defender on thier website. Another manufacturer offering Lehigh's bullet is Black Hills and their HoneyBadger line.

Lehigh is not the only one offering a flute bullet design. Inceptor Ammo offers a similar designed bullet, but made of a polymer-copper mixed material, instead of solid copper, the ARX ammunition line. These are even lighter and faster. A 65 grain bullet comming out of the muzzle at a whooping 1,650 fps. But in my research these bullets did not performed as well as the Xtreme Defender. They seems to lack the ability to penetrate deep enough.

Another non-expanding bullet option for self defense are fragmenting bullets. Previously, these were deemed ineffective as they lacked sufficient penetration to neutralize a threat. However, recent advancements in design by companies like Liberty Ammunition and G2 Research have addressed this issue. These modern designs allow the bullets to partially fragment upon impact, generating multiple wound channels while retaining a solid core capable of reaching vital organs. The only drawback is that they tend to be quite expensive.

• Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing
• Liberty Civil Defense
• G2 Research R.I.P. (Radically Invasive Projectile)

For those who prefer sticking to the good ol', battle tested, hollow point (HP) rounds, there are dependable choices available, but it's crucial to acknowledge that their effectiveness may differ. The following are the top 5 hollow point (HP) in the market:

• Federal HST or Punch*
• Speer Gold Dot
• Hornady Critical Defense or Critical Duty
• Remington High Terminal Performance (HTP)
• Winchester PDX1.

As for me, I'm sticking with the Underwood's Xtreme Defender as my go-to choice for carrying ammunition. Although they may cost a bit more than traditional defensive rounds, Underwood always offers special deals and sales, so I just keep my eyes open.

*Federal Punch is a more affordable option to HST. They are made with softer lead core and brass casing.

**Critical Defense bullets are designed for civilian use in compact pistols, and Critical Duty bullets are suited to law enforcement in full-sized handguns.