A open cavity at the nose of a bullet, intended to cause the bullet’s diameter to expand upon impact, which in turn creates a larger wound cavity.
Hollow point bullets and similar expanding bullet designs are commonly used in premium personal-defense handgun ammunition because they are more effective. They are also safer, because they reduce collateral damage caused by overpenetration.
In rifles, hollow point designs are less common. Some target bullets for rifles have hollow points as a side effect of their construction but are not designed to expand.
Hollow point ammunition is banned in some U.S. jurisdictions.