Rifle ammo
The vast majority of bullets are constructed of a solid lead core with a copper covering (called a “jacket”) that contains the lead. Lead is used because it’s an extremely dense, yet cheap metal, making it perfect for giving projectiles their weight while keeping the overall size small. Copper is used because it’s strong enough to keep the softer lead from de-forming, but soft enough to allow the gun’s rifling to “grip” the bullet.
The copper jacket starts out as a cup, having been cut from a long sheet. Through a process called “drawing,” the cup is lengthened and shaped to fit the profile of the projectile they’re making. These cups will eventually end up as jackets for 5.56 NATO rounds.
However, while this process is very efficient, it’s extremely difficult to actually get the metal to encase the entire lead core without any gaps. To keep production costs down, bullet manufacturers usually leave one end of the projectile open. Which end is open – and how that’s done – determines the classification of the projectile.
Here are three 150 grain .308 caliber bullets (a “grain” is a unit of bullet weight). And while they look very similar, the way in which they were manufactured is very different. The first projectile on the left is a “full metal jacket” (FMJ) round with a solid copper point. The other two are an open tip and a soft point bullet respectively, with openings in the copper at the tips of the projectiles.
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Federal P375T4 375Hh 250 TB 20rds
Federal 375 H&H Magnum 250 Grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw$73.79 -
Winchester Super-X .218 Win Be 46GR HP 50rds
Winchester Super-X, 218 Bee, 46 Grain, Hollow Point X218B$73.49 -
Barnes Bullets VOR-TX 300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM) 190 GR LRX Boat Tail 20 rds
Barnes Bullets 29011 VOR-TX 300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM) 190 GR LRX Boat Ta$62.99 -
Nosler Match Grade 28 Nosler Ammunition 185 Grains 20 Rounds
Nosler Match Grade 28 Nosler ammo is an excellent choice for competitive and recreational shooting applications. This fantastic ammunition is well known to provide excellent results, delivering excellent accuracy and reliability. Nosler Match Grade ammunition features 185 grains and is positive functioning with great accuracy.
$62.99