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Glossary of Bullet Construction Types
This glossary defines common bullet construction types used in ammunition, providing clarity on their design, function, and applications.
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1. FMJ (Full Metal Jacket)
Description: A lead core encased in a harder metal shell (e.g., copper, gilding metal).
Purpose: Reduces barrel fouling and improves feeding in semi-automatic and automatic firearms.
Applications: Military use, target shooting, general range practice.
Example: 9mm FMJ.
2. JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Description: A lead-core bullet with a hollow cavity in its tip and a metal jacket covering most of the projectile.
Purpose: Designed for controlled expansion on impact, creating larger wound cavities.
Applications: Self-defense, hunting, law enforcement.
Example: .45 ACP JHP.
3. SP (Soft Point)
Description: A lead-core bullet with a soft, exposed lead tip and a partial metal jacket.
Purpose: Promotes controlled expansion upon impact while maintaining deep penetration.
Applications: Hunting medium-to-large game.
Example: .308 Winchester SP.
4. Ball
Description: Military terminology for standard FMJ ammunition.
Purpose: General-purpose military rounds for reliability and penetration.
Applications: Military combat, target practice.
Example: M193 5.56 Ball.
5. HPBT (Hollow Point Boat Tail)
Description: A hollow-point projectile with a streamlined “boat tail” rear to improve aerodynamics.
Purpose: Increases long-range accuracy and retains velocity.
Applications: Precision shooting, competitive shooting.
Example: .308 Sierra MatchKing HPBT.
6. BT (Boat Tail)
Description: A bullet with a tapered base to reduce air resistance.
Purpose: Improves ballistic performance, especially at long range.
Applications: Target shooting, long-range precision.
Example: 6.5 Creedmoor BT.
7. Polymer-Tip
Description: A bullet with a plastic tip over a hollow point or soft point core.
Purpose: Enhances ballistic coefficient (BC) and promotes consistent expansion on impact.
Applications: Hunting, long-range shooting.
Example: Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip).
8. AP (Armor Piercing)
Description: A bullet with a hardened steel, tungsten, or similar core designed to penetrate armor.
Purpose: Defeats armored targets or barriers.
Applications: Military and tactical use.
Example: .30-06 M2 AP.
9. API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
Description: Armor-piercing bullet with an incendiary compound that ignites on impact.
Purpose: Penetrates armor while igniting fuel or other flammable materials.
Applications: Anti-vehicle, anti-aircraft roles.
Example: .50 BMG API.
10. Tracer
Description: A bullet with a pyrotechnic compound in the base that burns brightly during flight.
Purpose: Allows shooters to track projectile trajectory visually.
Applications: Target marking, fire correction, military combat.
Example: 5.56 M856 Tracer.
11. Ballistic Tip
Description: A variation of polymer-tipped bullets with an aerodynamic tip for long-range performance.
Purpose: Improves accuracy and promotes rapid, controlled expansion.
Applications: Hunting and precision shooting.
Example: Nosler Ballistic Tip.
12. FRANG (Frangible)
Description: A bullet made of compressed powdered metals (e.g., copper/tin) that disintegrates on impact.
Purpose: Reduces ricochet risk and minimizes over-penetration.
Applications: Close-quarters training, steel target shooting.
Example: 5.56 NATO Frangible.
13. Bonded Core
Description: A bullet with a chemically or mechanically bonded jacket and core.
Purpose: Ensures the bullet retains weight and integrity during penetration.
Applications: Hunting large game, self-defense.
Example: Speer Gold Dot Bonded HP.
14. Solid (Monolithic)
Description: A bullet made from a single solid material, often copper or brass.
Purpose: Provides deep, straight-line penetration without deformation.
Applications: Dangerous game hunting, barrier penetration.
Example: Barnes TSX (Triple Shock X).
15. Glaser Safety Slug
Description: A bullet with a pre-fragmented core and a copper jacket filled with small shot and capped with a polymer tip.
Purpose: Reduces penetration while maximizing energy transfer on soft targets.
Applications: Self-defense in sensitive environments.
Example: .38 Special Glaser Safety Slug.
16. Wadcutter (WC)
Description: A flat-nosed bullet often used in revolvers to cut clean holes in targets.
Purpose: Maximizes target scoring visibility.
Applications: Target shooting, competition.
Example: .38 Special Wadcutter.
17. Semi-Wadcutter (SWC)
Description: A bullet with a flat nose and a sharp shoulder for clean target cuts.
Purpose: Combines target accuracy with better penetration than full wadcutters.
Applications: Competition shooting, hunting small game.
Example: .357 Magnum SWC.
18. RNL (Round Nose Lead)
Description: A simple, traditional lead bullet with a rounded nose.
Purpose: Cost-effective and widely used for target shooting.
Applications: Revolver practice and cowboy action shooting.
Example: .45 Colt RNL.
19. Partition
Description: A bullet with a dual-core design separated by a solid partition.
Purpose: Combines controlled expansion with deep penetration.
Applications: Hunting large, tough game.
Example: Nosler Partition.
20. HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary)
Description: A specialized projectile that detonates with explosive and incendiary effects on impact.
Purpose: Designed for anti-materiel and anti-vehicle roles.
Applications: Military aircraft, anti-armor.
Example: .50 BMG HEI.
Expanded Glossary of Bullet Construction Types (Specialized)
This section adds more advanced and specialized bullet designs, often known by trademarked or proprietary names from leading manufacturers.
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1. TTSX (Tipped Triple Shock X)
Manufacturer: Barnes Bullets
Description: A solid copper bullet with a polymer tip for enhanced ballistic coefficient (BC) and rapid expansion.
Purpose: Combines deep penetration, weight retention, and accuracy.
Applications: Hunting large game, long-range precision shooting.
Example: Barnes .308 TTSX.
2. LRX (Long Range X-Bullet)
Manufacturer: Barnes Bullets
Description: A long-range version of the solid copper X-Bullet with a polymer tip and optimized boat-tail design.
Purpose: Delivers long-range accuracy and reliable expansion at lower velocities.
Applications: Long-range hunting and shooting.
Example: Barnes 6.5mm LRX.
3. TSX (Triple Shock X)
Manufacturer: Barnes Bullets
Description: A solid copper hollow-point bullet with three expansion grooves to reduce barrel fouling.
Purpose: Provides consistent expansion, weight retention, and deep penetration.
Applications: Hunting dangerous game and large mammals.
Example: Barnes .375 H&H TSX.
4. ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag – Expanding)
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A polymer-tipped bullet with a heat-shield tip, ensuring consistent shape and expansion at long range.
Purpose: Maximizes ballistic coefficient for long-range precision and hunting performance.
Applications: Precision long-range hunting.
Example: Hornady 6.5 PRC ELD-X.
5. ELD-M (Extremely Low Drag – Match)
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: Similar to ELD-X but designed for match shooting with consistent shape and accuracy, lacking controlled expansion.
Purpose: Optimized for target shooting and precision competitions.
Applications: Long-range match shooting.
Example: Hornady 6mm Creedmoor ELD-M.
6. VLD (Very Low Drag)
Manufacturer: Berger Bullets
Description: A bullet with a highly aerodynamic profile, designed to minimize drag for superior long-range performance.
Purpose: Improves velocity retention and accuracy over long distances.
Applications: Long-range precision shooting and competitive matches.
Example: Berger 7mm VLD Target.
7. AccuBond
Manufacturer: Nosler
Description: A bonded-core bullet with a polymer tip and boat-tail design for controlled expansion and weight retention.
Purpose: Combines accuracy, penetration, and expansion for hunting.
Applications: Hunting medium-to-large game at various ranges.
Example: Nosler .300 Win Mag AccuBond.
8. Partition
Manufacturer: Nosler
Description: A dual-core bullet separated by a solid partition, with the front core designed to expand and the rear core for deep penetration.
Purpose: Ensures reliable performance on tough game animals.
Applications: Hunting large, dangerous game.
Example: Nosler 8mm Partition.
9. A-Frame
Manufacturer: Swift Bullets
Description: A bonded dual-core bullet with a partitioned design similar to Nosler’s Partition.
Purpose: Provides controlled expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration.
Applications: Hunting large and dangerous game.
Example: Swift .375 H&H A-Frame.
10. Ballistic Tip
Manufacturer: Nosler
Description: A polymer-tipped bullet with a tapered jacket for reliable expansion and a streamlined design for accuracy.
Purpose: Enhances terminal performance while maximizing ballistic coefficient.
Applications: Hunting, especially at medium ranges.
Example: Nosler .308 Ballistic Tip.
11. HST (Hydra-Shok Tactical)
Manufacturer: Federal Premium
Description: A hollow-point bullet with improved expansion and weight retention, optimized for law enforcement and personal defense.
Purpose: Provides consistent expansion and deep penetration without over-penetrating.
Applications: Self-defense, law enforcement.
Example: Federal 9mm HST.
12. Gold Dot
Manufacturer: Speer
Description: A bonded-core hollow-point bullet designed for controlled expansion and penetration.
Purpose: High weight retention for consistent terminal performance.
Applications: Self-defense and law enforcement.
Example: Speer .40 S&W Gold Dot.
13. Core-Lokt
Manufacturer: Remington
Description: A soft-point bullet with a mechanically locked core to ensure weight retention and expansion.
Purpose: Provides deep penetration with controlled expansion for hunting.
Applications: Hunting medium-to-large game.
Example: Remington .30-06 Core-Lokt.
14. SST (Super Shock Tip)
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A polymer-tipped bullet designed to provide rapid, controlled expansion with a high ballistic coefficient.
Purpose: Maximizes accuracy and terminal energy on impact.
Applications: Hunting at medium-to-long ranges.
Example: Hornady 7mm-08 SST.
15. InterBond
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A bonded-core bullet that ensures weight retention and controlled expansion at high velocities.
Purpose: Combines deep penetration with reliable expansion.
Applications: Hunting large game.
Example: Hornady .300 WSM InterBond.
16. GMX (Gilding Metal eXpanding)
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A solid copper alloy bullet that expands reliably and retains weight without lead contamination.
Purpose: Provides deep penetration and eco-friendly design.
Applications: Hunting in lead-free zones, medium-to-large game.
Example: Hornady .308 GMX.
17. E-Tip
Manufacturer: Nosler
Description: A solid copper bullet with a polymer tip for enhanced BC and terminal performance.
Purpose: Provides reliable expansion and weight retention while being lead-free.
Applications: Hunting in restricted zones, large game hunting.
Example: Nosler .270 E-Tip.
18. FLEX TIP (FTX)
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A hollow-point bullet with a flexible polymer tip, designed for lever-action rifles.
Purpose: Allows safe use of pointed bullets in tubular magazines while enhancing performance.
Applications: Lever-action hunting rifles.
Example: Hornady .30-30 FTX.
19. MonoFlex
Manufacturer: Hornady
Description: A lead-free variation of the FTX bullet made from a copper alloy with a flexible tip.
Purpose: Delivers expansion and penetration while meeting lead-free regulations.
Applications: Hunting in lead-restricted areas.
Example: Hornady .45-70 MonoFlex.