About Soft Point Ammo
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over
soft point ammo today.
Ammunition of this type is popular and has been in common use for well over a century. We are going to delve what
soft point ammo is while covering traits, features, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about
soft point ammo.
What are Soft Point Projectiles?
Like the name suggests,
soft point projectiles feature a soft exposed lead tip. The term “soft” specifically applies to the projectile tip’s hardness in relation to the harder jacketing which envelops the projectile. This exposed lead tip promotes expansion after impact, a feature which provides good effect on target. Expansion is ultimately dependent upon the strength of the projectile’s jacketing, hardness of the lead core, and energy transfer achieved after deceleration and impact.
This expansion is conducive to creating dynamic wound channels and producing clean kills when hunting. Simply put, the expansion exhibited by soft point ammo results in a wound channel which can be much larger than the initial diameter of the projectile. The devastating effect of
soft point projectiles on tissue led to them being outlawed for use in warfare by the Hague Convention of 1899 with full metal jacket bullets being deemed more humane.
Other Names for Soft Point Ammo
Like many types of
ammunition,
soft point ammo is also referred to by a variety of names. Often times,
ammunition of this type is abbreviated as “SP” for simplicity’s sake. This designation is common in product names and on
ammo boxes. Additionally,
soft point ammo has also been referred to as soft-nosed bullets. Another common designation for this type of
ammunition is “JSP,” or “jacketed soft point,” a name which serves as a literal representation of what this
ammunition type truly is. All in all, these designations all refer to
soft point ammunition.
Purchase Soft Point Ammo
What is Soft Point Ammo Used For?
Typically,
soft point ammunition is most commonly used for hunting purposes.
Soft point ammunition’s tendency to expand and create large wound channels makes it well-suited for ethically dispatching game. As such, many of the
soft point loadings on the market can be found in the form of hunting-oriented loadings. Depending on the caliber and type of loading, one can employ
soft point ammo offerings for everything from small game hunting to big game hunting.
What Types of Firearms Utilize Soft Point Ammunition?
Soft point ammo is typically used by pistols and rifles. This is to say that many popular pistol, rifle, and rimfire calibers can be found in the form of
soft point loadings. Between the two types of firearms,
soft point ammunition is most commonly employed by rifle shooters. The availability of
soft point ammunition is also reflective of this truth as one will encounter far more
soft point rifle ammo than
soft point pistol ammo.
Who Makes Soft Point Ammo?
Soft point ammunition is currently produced by a number of companies. These companies hail from various countries across the globe and also produce a wide range of other loadings. Producers of
soft point ammo include companies like
Sellier & Bellot,
Federal,
PMC, and
Armscor to name a few. These loadings can be found in the form of economically priced, general-purpose hunting loadings to more specialized offerings. Generally speaking,
soft point ammo is common and easily accessible.
Like most types of
ammunition,
soft point ammo is available in various quantities. If one wishes to purchase individual boxes of
soft point ammo for testing or a hunt, they can easily do so. Of course, if one has a specific load they wish to stock up on, one can
purchase bulk ammo quantities of
soft point ammunition. Shooters will typically be able to find
soft point ammunition in popular calibers such as
.22 Long Rifle,
.223 Remington,
.308 Winchester,
9mm Luger, and
.44 Magnum to name a few.
Other Types of Soft Point Ammo
Soft point ammunition has persisted in one form or another for well over a century. Over the years, many variations upon the established
soft point projectile have spawned and seen development. These projectiles differ from traditional soft point projectiles in a variety of ways such as shape, bullet profile, and material. A popular soft point variant commonly utilized in modern loadings comes in the form of pointed soft point, or PSP loadings. Like the name suggests, these projectiles feature a more prominent point which allows for better velocity potential and flatter trajectories. PSP projectiles effectively depart from the flatter and rounder tips found on traditional
soft point loadings. Additionally, one can find BTSP, or boat tail soft point loadings which feature projectile profiles conducive to high velocities and flat trajectories.
Purchase Soft Point Ammo
Is Soft Point Ammo Good for Target Shooting?
Like most types of loadings, one can certainly engage in recreational target shooting and plinking with
soft point ammunition. Of course, this is not the optimal use case for
ammunition of this type.
Soft point ammunition is better suited to applications which allow it to expand as intended, such as hunting. While loadings of this type can certainly punch holes in paper and ring steel,
soft point ammo is simply overkill for this application. Full metal jacket (FMJ)
ammo or frangible
ammunition is simply better suited for shooting of this type. Often times, these more optimal types of loadings tend to be more plentiful and more affordable than
soft point loadings are, making them even better for this use case.
Conclusion
All in all,
soft point ammunition persists in common use among shooters in the modern era. Ammunition of this type is often employed by hunters of all types due to its effectiveness at dispatching a wide range of game. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of
soft point ammunition in our inventory of
ammunition for sale. Whether you want to
buy soft point ammo or
purchase ammunition of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
View more posts about ammunition:
