FMJ, HP, TMJ, SP, OTM, FTX – What does it all mean?

In today’s market, there is a plethora of available cartridges in different configurations. A person could for example, own something like a 9mm handgun and see four or five different types of 9mm bullets available to buy. Similarly, someone who owns a rifle may notice there are equally just many different types of ammunition variants and bullet designs. Each one having a specific intended purpose or suggested use. Ammo manufacturers will put labels on their product to help describe the specific bullet design, such as FMJ, TMJ, JHP, OTM, FTX or SP. This is supposed to identify what the customer is purchasing. But what if you are new to firearms or perhaps don’t have a lot of experience? What do all of these acronyms mean? And does it really matter?

The most common ammo type: FMJ or “Ball”:

FMJ translates directly to Full Metal Jacket. This ammunition type is sometimes called ‘Ball’ ammunition. This means that a lead bullet is encased by a copper jacket, or some other type of metal, and has a somewhat round ‘ball-like’ appearance in handgun cartridges. For rifle bullets, the same concept applies except for the shape which will have a more notable ‘pointy’ appearance. FMJ is the most common type of ammunition available, due to being ubiquitous and affordable. This is what most of us see in sporting goods stores or gun stores. It is sometimes marketed as “Range Ammo” or “Training Ammo”, and is ideally suited for that role. It is also preferred over Solid Lead or Cast Lead bullets (which feature no jacket) due to the significant reduction of lead exposure which could pose a potential health hazard to the shooter in some cases. There are other names that sometimes appear for the same type of ammo described above. Just know that they are essentially the same: ∙TMJ = Total Metal Jacket ∙TMC = Total Metal Case

Hollow Point Bullets, or HP:

This bullet design is one of the most talked about, and sought after next to FMJ. If we were to do a Google Search on Hollow Point Bullets, there would be an enormous amount of information about them that immediately appears. Some of it legitimate, some not so much. The bottom line is that HP designates a bullet as Hollow Point, which is a projectile design that is intended to expand upon impact and penetration of a target. The bullet shape will often appear with a flat tip, concave opening and scoring around the edges. Or otherwise appearing “hollow” in the center. This is generally the accepted type of ammunition for self-defense and law enforcement use. Its controlled expansion design enables the round to increase its overall diameter, thus increasing its wounding capability and potential to stop a threat. They will often appear mushroom or flower shaped after they expand. Without going too deep into the subject, this is the predominant reason HP are recommended for self-defense as FMJ type bullets will not expand and can pass through a threat. I would caution that not all HP rounds perform the same. Choose your self-defense ammunition carefully. Just because a bullet is labeled HP, doesn’t mean it will work like one should. Some manufacturers spend a great deal of resources into research and development of their design in order to ensure its performance and quality. Others don’t - you get what you pay for. The same general concept also applies for rifle cartridges. Ballistic and terminal performance will be covered in a later article for those of you who are more interested.

Other bullet designs: XTP, OTP, SP and FTX:

∙FTX & XTP Bullets (Flex Tip): Specifically designed for Hunting and Self Defense Applications in mind. Sometimes misnamed as “ballistic-tips”. They are defined by a colored polymer tip (Red, Blue, Orange) and feature most of the same characteristics of HP bullet designs. The exception to these rounds is that they are engineered for a greater degree of controlled expansion and penetration. Most are oriented for hunting and may be advertised as so on the outside of the box. Be sure to research their intended use for either Self Defense or Hunting as they aren’t always interchangeable. Some rounds by nature are made to penetrate deeply and then expand. Hunting cartridges are not always interchangeable for self-defense loads, likewise self-defense loads don’t make for good hunting purposes. Both rifle and pistol cartridges may be produced in this configuration. Their price point will often reflect the research and quality control placed into their performance as they are made to work in critical situations where one shot may be all that counts. ∙Open Tip Match (OTM): Designed for optimal or increased accuracy at range in mind. They appear with a very small opening in the tip of the bullet. Rifle cartridges with this feature may be used for competition, training at longer ranges (think past 300 meters) and have been used by the US military overseas for long range engagements. OTM rounds aren’t specifically to expand on impact or penetrate deeply. They are simply made to hit targets with greater consistency and accuracy at longer ranges. ∙Soft Points (SP): As the name implies, this bullet features a conical, exposed tip of lead that is designed to penetrate and deform. Most of their use is intended for hunting small to medium sized game. They sometimes lack the accuracy of OTM and performance of FTX and XTP bullets, and aren’t really recommended for self-defense. These rounds are of an older design and may be preferred for hunting in areas where hollow point ammunition is prohibited. They likewise may be used for training or plinking in conjunction with steel targets since there is a reduced likelihood of producing spalling/shrapnel upon impact.

What we learned so far:

Every bullet design has an intended purpose or role. It’s important to research and understand what we are purchasing and why. Part of our goal here is provide the average person with a very basic of knowledge so that we can further build upon these concepts in later discussion. We want to empower and through learning and discussion in these posts and I hope that this will help you make a better- informed purchase going forward.