The bullet is the business end of the cartridge. Its shape and build decide what it does when it hits. Pick the type for the job, then match it to your caliber.
Common bullet types
Quick comparison
| Type | What it is | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FMJ (full metal jacket) | Lead core fully wrapped in copper | Practice, plinking, military | Can pass through targets; not legal for big game in many places |
| JHP (jacketed hollow point) | Cavity in the nose | Self-defense | Costs more; test it in your gun |
| Soft point (JSP) | Jacket with exposed lead tip | Hunting | Expands slower than a hollow point |
| Polymer tip | Plastic tip over a hollow cavity | Hunting, long range | Higher price |
| Bonded | Jacket fused to the core | Big game, barriers | Premium price |
| Lead round nose (LRN) | Plain lead, no jacket | Cheap target, revolvers, older guns | More smoke and lead fouling; some indoor ranges restrict it |
| Wadcutter / semi-wadcutter | Flat or shouldered nose | Paper targets, revolvers | Cuts clean holes; may not feed in semi-autos |
| Frangible | Pressed powdered metal | Steel targets, close-range training | Breaks apart on hard surfaces |
How hollow points work
Which one should I buy?
- Range day: FMJ. Cheap, clean feeding, and plenty of it.
- Home and self-defense: a name-brand hollow point that runs reliably in your gun.
- Deer and big game: soft point, polymer tip or bonded. Check your state’s hunting rules.
- Revolver target shooting: wadcutters or lead round nose.
Shotgun loads
- Birdshot: many small pellets for birds, clays and small game.
- Buckshot: fewer, larger pellets for deer-size game and home defense.
- Slug: one big projectile for deer and longer shots. More on Shotgun Ammo and Shot Shells.
Military color tips
Military rifle ammo often uses a painted tip to mark the bullet type:
- Green: steel penetrator (like M855 5.56)
- Orange or red: tracer
- Black: armor-piercing
Many ranges ban tracers and steel-core ammo, so ask first. See Military Ammo.
Hunting regulations on bullet type vary by state. Always check before you hunt.