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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Winchester Super-X 7MMMAU 145GR PP 20rds
Winchester Super-X, 7×57, 145 Grain, Power Point X7MM1$36.99 -
Federal Fusion 300WIN 180GR 20rds
Federal Fusion, 300 WIN MAG, 180 Grain, Boat Tail F300WFS3$38.99 -
Federal Fusion 300WIN 165GR 20rds
Federal Fusion, 300 WIN MAG, 165 Grain, Boat Tail F300WFS2$38.99 -
Federal PWRSHK 300SAV 180GR SP 20rds
Federal PowerShok, 300 Savage, 180 Grain, Soft Point 300B$39.99 -
Winchester Deer Season XP Brass .300 WSM 150-Grain 20-Rounds EP
Winchester Deer Season XP delivers a reliable and consistent load with good performance at a great value. Each box contains 20 rounds of 150 grain .300 WSM with extreme point bullets and brass casings.
$39.99 -
Federal Premium Nickel Plated Brass 7mm WSM 160 Grain 20-Rounds NA
Federal Premium provides the excellent penetration, fast expansion, and weight retention required for long-range big game hunting. Each box contains 20 rounds of 160 grain 7mm WSM with Nosler accubond bullets.
$39.99