BULLETS

Types of Bullets

• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): A bullet with a soft core (usually lead) encased in a shell of harder metal. FMJs are known for their penetration and are commonly used in military applications.
• Hollow Point (HP): Designed to expand upon impact, hollow-point bullets are often used in self-defense and law enforcement due to their stopping power.
• Soft Point (SP): These bullets have a partially exposed lead tip, allowing for controlled expansion upon impact, making them suitable for hunting.
• Boat Tail (BT): Featuring a tapered rear end, boat-tail bullets are designed to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag, enhancing long-range performance.
• Wadcutter: A flat-fronted bullet used primarily in target shooting, designed to cut clean holes in paper for easier scoring.

2. Materials

• Lead: The most common material for bullet cores, lead is malleable and dense, providing good stopping power.
• Copper: Often used in FMJ and HP bullets, copper is corrosion-resistant and can enhance penetration.
• Steel: Sometimes used in budget ammunition or military applications, steel bullets are less common due to their hardness and potential to damage barrels.
• Tungsten: Used in armor-piercing rounds due to its density and hardness, tungsten bullets can penetrate tough materials.

3. Applications

• Military: Bullets designed for combat situations, often focusing on penetration and lethality.
• Law Enforcement: Ammunition used by police forces, which may prioritize stopping power and controlled expansion.
• Hunting: Bullets designed for various game types, emphasizing expansion and accuracy.
• Sport Shooting: Ammunition used in competitive settings, where precision and consistency are crucial.

4. Ballistics

• Internal Ballistics: The study of the bullet’s behavior inside the firearm, including the ignition of the propellant and the bullet’s travel down the barrel.
• External Ballistics: The study of the bullet’s flight path, including factors like drag, wind resistance, and gravity.
• Terminal Ballistics: The analysis of how a bullet behaves upon impact with a target, including penetration depth and tissue damage.

5. Legal and Safety Considerations

• Regulations: Varies by country and region, affecting the purchase, possession, and use of certain types of ammunition.
• Safety: Proper handling, storage, and usage of bullets and firearms to prevent accidents and injuries.

6. Historical Development

• Early Bullets: Initial use of lead balls in muzzle-loading firearms.
• Modern Advancements: Development of smokeless powder and innovations in bullet design for improved performance.