Bullet Construction and Its Role in Performance
Bullet selection is one of the most influential variables in handloading. Shape, weight, construction, and material composition all contribute to ballistic performance, feeding reliability, and terminal behavior. Understanding how bullets are manufactured and how they function in flight allows reloaders to tailor ammunition for target shooting, training, hunting, or competitive use. Most modern bullets consist of a lead core encased in a copper or gilding metal jacket. This jacket reduces barrel fouling, improves feeding reliability, and helps the bullet maintain structural integrity during firing. Full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are commonly used for training and general range use because they feed smoothly and are cost-effective. In contrast, soft point and hollow point bullets are engineered to expand upon impact, making them more suitable for hunting or defensive applications where controlled energy transfer is important. Another common category is plated bullets. Rather ...