Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Ammunition Terminology

So - every now and then someone in the media gets it in their heads to try and explain ammunition to the market. They undoubtedly get it wrong.

For starters...these are bullets:



When combined with brass/steel case, powder, and a primer -- they make a loaded cartridge like these:


Now, there are different kinds of bullets -- but generally, most jacketed bullets (so called due to the copper cladding on the exterior) fall into two categories, soft/hollow point (SP/HP) or Full Metal Jacket (FMJ).

Hollow or soft-point (HP/SP) bullets are typically chosen for hunting and self-defense applications due to their "expansion" as they impact tissue. This expansion increases the overall diameter of the bullet, causing more damage as it passes through. Contrary to popular belief, they do not "explode" once inside tissue. Conversely, full metal jacketed (FMJ) rounds typically expand very little, if at all.

These are Federal and Speer handgun ammunition. From left to right:


1) Speer Gold Dot .45 JHP 230gr
2) Federal Hydrashok .45 JHP 230gr
3) Federal Guard Dog .45 EMJ 165gr
4) Federal American Eagle .45FMJ 230gr

You can see the expansion of the first three, and the lack thereof for the fourth. The expansion causes the bullet to expend its kinetic energy rather quickly upon entering tissue, thereby reducing penetration. The issue with non-expanding ammo for self-defense would be that, were you to ever have to use it, it might go right on through your intended target, and into whatever is beyond before it fully expends its energy.

Carry ammunition is a personal choice, but as my carry permit instructor always said, you're responsible for every bullet that comes out. I'd rather they stay where I put them.

Keep on keepin' on.

Pat

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