What is FMJ Ammo Good For?
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about FMJ ammo. Ammunition of this type is incredibly common and well-supported by a variety of ammunition manufacturers. We are going to define this type of ammo, find out what FMJ ammo is good for, and delve into other considerations. Without further ado, let’s go over FMJ ammo.
What is FMJ Ammo?
FMJ ammo, or full metal jacket ammo, is one of the most prolific types of ammunition one will encounter on the market. Like the name suggests, ammunition of this type utilizes bullets which feature metallic jacketing. This jacketing promotes more efficient loading and cycling and also helps projectiles resist deformation. Additionally, beyond protecting the bullet core, this jacketing also allowed for projectiles to achieve and maintain higher velocities. This is due to the fact that deformation is being resisted and projectiles feature better uniformity and concentricity with jacketing than they do with exposed lead. These types of loadings can be found in the form of pistol or rifle calibers. FMJ loadings can be had in the form of popular calibers such as 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.7x28mm, .223 Rem, 7.62×39, and .308 Win just to name a few.
Is FMJ Ammo Different from TMJ Ammo?
While FMJ ammo features jacketed projectiles, TMJ, or total metal jacket, loadings take things a bit further. Notably, FMJ loadings cover projectiles in all areas except for the base of the bullet. As a result, there is exposed lead at the bottom of FMJ projectiles. TMJ loadings feature fully enclosed projectiles, hence the word “total” in the name of this type of ammo. Because of this full encapsulation, TMJ loadings notably reduce the amount of lead a shooter is exposed to when firing. This boon is especially appreciable to those who shoot high round counts, particularly indoors.
Military Origins of FMJ Ammo
Declaration III of the Hague Convention of 1899 barred the use of expanding bullets in warfare. Due to this fact, FMJ loadings were adopted by militaries across the world to comply with this ruling. Unlike hollow point (HP) and soft point (SP) type projectiles, FMJ loadings are not designed to expand upon impact. The presence of the jacketing on these projectiles resists deformation and aids in retaining the bullet’s shape after impact, thus resisting the potential for expansion. Currently, militaries around the world still adhere to these regulations and employ FMJ loadings for calibers such as 5.56, 7.62x51mm NATO, and 9mm.
FMJ Projectiles are Cleaner Than Non-Jacketed Offerings
The presence of jacketing on FMJ projectiles makes them ultimately cleaner than their non-jacketed counterparts. This is due to the fact that the jacketing acts as a barrier and prevents the raw metal of the bullet core from contacting the rifling. Bullet cores are commonly made of lead, a material which can quickly foul bores when utilized as an exposed projectile. Additionally, the presence of jacketing allows for smoother travel down the bore and out the muzzle than raw, uneven lead projectiles do. Jacketing provides a more uniform and concentric exterior which is more conducive to engaging with rifling and traveling downrange.
Is FMJ Ammo Good for Self-Defense?
FMJ ammunition can certainly get the job done when it comes to self-defense, but is it the most optimal or advised choice? Loadings of this type, especially those in calibers which reach high velocity levels, can have the potential of passing through a target. In terms of defense, it is more optimal for projectiles to stay within a target and expand, creating a more dynamic wound channel and inflicting greater trauma.
Additionally, FMJ loadings have the potential to overpenetrate and inflict unintended harm. For self-defense applications, dedicated jacketed hollow point (JHP) offerings and defense-oriented loads are simply better. Loadings of this type are designed to achieve desirable levels of penetration on target while also facilitating fight-stopping levels of expansion. All in all, while FMJ ammo can get the job done, it is far from the optimal tool for self-defense.
Is FMJ Ammo Good for Hunting?
FMJ ammo is ultimately suboptimal for hunting purposes. The same traits which make this type of ammunition less than ideal for self-defense use are also at play when considering hunting. Expansion is once again key as optimal energy transfer and quick kills are ideal. This is a matter of ethics as principled hunters wish to cleanly and humanely dispatch game with little to no suffering.
Additionally, expanding ammunition, in the form of either SP loadings or specialty hunting loadings, are simply more optimal for this use case. SP loadings and purpose-built hunting loadings are designed from the ground up to achieve optimal penetration, expansion, and wound potential, ensuring quick and humane kills. In short, FMJ ammunition is not ideal for hunting use.
So, what is FMJ Ammo Good For?
Currently, shooters employ FMJ ammunition in a variety of roles. These roles range from recreational use cases to more practical purposes. Of course, FMJ ammunition is well-suited to casual, recreational target shooting. The affordable nature of this type of ammunition makes it easy to stock up on for many range days on the cheap. FMJ ammunition is also well-suited to training and honing one’s skills. The plentiful nature of loadings of this type in addition to their economic pricing makes it easy for one to stock up on FMJ ammo. Shooters also commonly employ FMJ ammunition in competition settings. These matches often feature pistol shooting, rifle shooting, or even both types of shooting. Everything from multi-gun competitions to dedicated pistol matches and precision-oriented matches utilize FMJ loadings.
Who Makes FMJ Ammo?
Currently, FMJ ammo is produced by a wide range of ammo manufacturers. These manufacturers encompass American companies and foreign entities who produce ammunition. Companies such as Federal, PPU, Turan, FNH USA, PMC, and CCI are among the producers of FMJ ammo. Like most types of ammunition, FMJ ammo is available in individual or bulk ammo quantities. Additionally, companies like Turan and PMC offer “battle pack” quantities of FMJ ammo which are greater than individual ammo quantities but less than traditional bulk ammo quantities. Ammunition of this type is extremely accessible and affordable, especially when compared to specialty loadings.
Conclusion
All in all, FMJ ammunition is prolific and employed by shooters of all types. These loadings are readily available and can be had at affordable prices, making them easily accessed and utilized by shooters of all types. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of FMJ ammunition in our inventory of ammo for sale. Whether you want to buy FMJ ammo or wish to buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
3 Responses
I didn’t know a lot of what I just read.
Thanks for the info!
FMJ= ‘Combat effective, target cheap’.
JHP, JSP= Hunting, self defense.
Cast Lead alloy= Highly effective with regards to alloy/caliber/velocity/application considerations. CastBoolits.com.