![different types of guns and bullets different types of guns and bullets](https://quarryhs.co.uk/P1030493w.jpg)
These bullets feature a hole in the tip which greatly enhances expansion and corresponding stopping power.Īnother important characteristic of bullet shape is the base profile. These bullets offer the benefits of fully jacketed bullets, but with increased stopping power due to the enhanced expansion becuase of the soft tip. Jacketed Soft Point (SP) bullets are a jacketed bullet with an exposed lead tip. This bullet is a cross between the Flat Point (FP) and the Round Nose (RN) bullet with characteristics similar to the Flat Point (FP) bullet. These bullets do not punch clean holes in targets, and are not good for hunting and defense. These bullets offer the best feeding characteristics for automatic pistols (Think ball 45acp ammo from WWI+, and 9mm parabellum) and good ballistic characteristics as well. Round nose bullets have a cylindrical body with a round tip. These bullets feed well in automatics, and punch a small hole in targets (the diameter of the flat point). These rounds offer better ballistic performance (less drag) than wadcutters, still punch nice holes in paper targets, and can be fed by automatic pistols in most cases.įlat point bullets generally have a flat point on the tip, and a straight taper from the body to the tip. This bullet has a cylindrical body with a shoulder, and a flat point on the tip.
![different types of guns and bullets different types of guns and bullets](https://www.pistolbasics101.com/uploads/7/9/2/7/7927240/4028209_orig.jpg)
The semi-wadcutter is a variation on the wadcutter. These bullets produce clean “punches” in paper targets. Typically made from lead, these bullets are basically a cylinder of lead. The wadcutter is perhaps the most basic bullet profile. Since acronyms are typically used to describe bullets (Such as RNFP for Round Nose Flat Point) I’ll cover the most commonly types of bullets, and leave it to the reader to understand other permutations of these terms. Here, I’ll describe different types of bullets based on their fundamental shape and properties. There are many different types of bullets that each have a unique set of characteristics, and an intended use for each as well. Lead bullets have a band of lubricant around the sides to prevent leading of the barrel. Revolver bullets are held in place by a combination of neck tension, and a “roll crimp” where the mouth of the case is rolled over into the crimp groove (lead bullets) or the cannellure (jacketed bullets). Revovler bullets have more variety than automatic pistol bullets because they do not feed from a magazine, and therefore have fewer constraints in composition or shape. The shape of the bullet is optimized for reliable feeding.ĭiagram: Automatic Pistol Bullet (Flat Point shown) Revolver Bulletsīullets for revolvers are commonly either lead, or jacketed in composition. These bullets are held in place by neck tension (the press fit of the bullet into the case mouth, which is smaller in diameter). These bullets are also smooth on the sides, without special features for crimping.
![different types of guns and bullets different types of guns and bullets](https://theclaybird.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bigstock-Hunting-equipment-pump-actio-185568904-1024x890.jpg)
There are two classifications for handgun bullets: Automatic pistol bulletsīullets for automatic pistols are typically plated or jacketed in composition. Read on to learn what these acronyms mean. Other: Other types of bullets include plated bullets (thin metal coating), solid copper bullets, polymer coated bullets, and more.Īn assortment of bullets, from left: Plated FP, Lead SWC, Lead RN, JSP, JHP, Jacketed RN.These bullets cost more, can have greater accuracy, eliminate barrel leading (but do foul the barrel to some extent), and are approved for indoor use at local gun ranges. Jacketed: Bullets that have a lead core, but also feature an outer jacket (usually copper) that engages with the rifling in the barrel of the handgun.These bullets are cast, and offer specific ballistic characteristics, usually are lowest in cost, and are lubricated with a grease type of lubrication. There are three basic types of bullet construction commonly used in handguns: Understanding how bullets are constructed for each handgun shooting application is important background information for proper bullet selection, and to understand how the reloading process works.