What is Open Tip Match (OTM) Ammo?

What is Open Tip Match (OTM) Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about open tip match ammunition today. This specialized ammunition type has gained significant popularity among precision shooters while simultaneously generating confusion regarding its design and purpose. Today we will explore what OTM ammunition actually is, examine its advantages and applications, and cover other important considerations regarding this high-performance ammunition type. Without further ado, let's dive into open tip match ammo.

What Is Open Tip Match (OTM) Ammunition?

Open tip match ammunition features bullets with a small opening at the tip, but this design serves a fundamentally different purpose than hollow point ammunition. The open tip results from the manufacturing process rather than being engineered specifically for expansion. OTM bullets are constructed "base-to-tip," with the lead core inserted from the bullet base before being enclosed by the jacket material, leaving a small opening at the tip where the jacket closes. This manufacturing method allows for exceptional consistency and precision that would be impossible with traditional full metal jacket construction. By forming the bullets from base to tip, manufacturers achieve several critical advantages: perfectly centered cores, consistent jacket thickness, and precisely formed meplats (bullet tips). These factors contribute to the superior accuracy that defines OTM ammunition. Despite superficial similarities to hollow point ammunition, OTM bullets are not designed primarily for expansion. The small opening at the tip typically measures just 0.5mm to 1mm in diameter—far too small to create reliable expansion in soft tissue. Instead, this opening represents a byproduct of the manufacturing process that prioritizes consistency and aerodynamic performance over terminal ballistics.

OTM Bullets Compared to Hollow Points

The distinction between OTM and hollow point bullets causes frequent confusion among shooters. While both feature openings at the tip, they differ significantly in design purpose, construction method, and performance characteristics. Understanding these differences helps clarify the appropriate applications for each bullet type. Hollow point bullets feature deliberately engineered expansion cavities designed to create controlled deformation upon impact. These cavities typically measure 3-5mm in diameter and often incorporate internal features like serrations or polymer inserts to ensure reliable expansion. The hollow point design specifically aims to increase diameter upon impact, creating larger wound channels for hunting or defensive applications. OTM bullets, by contrast, feature much smaller openings that result from the manufacturing process rather than being engineered for expansion. The primary design goal centers on accuracy rather than terminal performance. The open tip contributes to the exceptional weight consistency and aerodynamic stability that define match-grade ammunition. When OTM bullets do expand, it occurs as a secondary effect rather than the primary design purpose. Purchase OTM Ammo

So, Are OTM Bullets Hollow Points?

The question of whether OTM bullets qualify as hollow points carries both technical and legal implications worth addressing. From a strictly technical perspective, OTM bullets do feature an opening at the tip, superficially resembling hollow points. However, this opening exists as a byproduct of the manufacturing process rather than being specifically engineered for expansion, the defining characteristic of true hollow points. From a legal standpoint, the U.S. Military's adoption of OTM ammunition required addressing potential conflicts with the Hague Convention of 1899, which prohibits expanding bullets in international warfare. The Judge Advocate General (JAG) determined that OTM bullets designed primarily for accuracy rather than expansion comply with international law despite their open tips. This determination reflects the fundamental difference in design purpose between OTM and hollow point projectiles. Civilian shooters should note that in jurisdictions restricting hollow point ammunition, the technical distinction between OTM and true hollow points may not be recognized by local authorities. Those subject to such restrictions should seek clarification from appropriate legal sources before utilizing OTM ammunition for any purpose.

Manufacturing Process for OTM Ammunition

The production of OTM bullets follows a distinct manufacturing sequence that directly contributes to their accuracy potential. The process begins with a copper jacket drawn from the base, creating a cup-shaped foundation. Manufacturers then insert a precisely measured lead core from the base before closing the jacket around it. This approach allows for exceptional quality control regarding core weight, centering, and overall bullet consistency. This base-to-tip construction contrasts with traditional full metal jacket bullets, which typically start with jacket material formed around a mandrel before inserting the core. The OTM approach enables more precise control of the internal component placement and weight distribution. When produced to match-grade standards, this manufacturing method creates projectiles with minimal weight variations and perfect concentricity. The small opening left at the tip serves a secondary aerodynamic purpose by creating a more uniform meplat (bullet tip) than would be possible with a closed-tip design. This consistency contributes to reduced drag variations and enhanced stability during flight. Some premium OTM bullets incorporate additional features like boat tails, cannelures, and precisely calculated ogive profiles to further enhance ballistic performance.

Accuracy Advantages of OTM Ammunition

OTM ammunition delivers several significant accuracy advantages that explain its popularity among precision shooters. Consistency represents the primary benefit, with premium OTM loads often demonstrating extremely tight weight tolerances between individual projectiles. Sierra Matchking and similar OTM bullets typically maintain weight consistency within 0.1 grains across an entire lot, reducing a major variable that affects external ballistics. Aerodynamic efficiency provides another advantage. The precisely formed meplat creates more consistent drag characteristics compared to traditional FMJ bullets, which may have slight variations in tip formation. Many OTM designs incorporate boat tail profiles that further reduce drag and improve ballistic coefficients. These features contribute to flatter trajectories and reduced wind deflection at extended ranges. Gyroscopic stability represents another crucial factor in OTM performance. The precisely centered cores and consistent jacket thickness ensure proper balance around the bullet's longitudinal axis. This balance translates to improved stability during flight, particularly at the transonic boundary where many bullets experience turbulence. The superior stability helps OTM bullets maintain accuracy at extended ranges where less consistent bullets might become unstable.

Common Applications for OTM Ammunition

Competition shooting represents the most common application for OTM ammunition. Across disciplines ranging from Precision Rifle Series to Highpower Rifle Competition, competitors select OTM loads for their exceptional accuracy potential. The consistency and precision manufacturing of these bullets translate to smaller group sizes and more predictable point of impact, critical factors in competitive success. Military and law enforcement snipers frequently utilize OTM ammunition for precision applications. The enhanced accuracy enables precise shot placement at extended ranges, while the limited expansion provides adequate terminal performance for their specific mission requirements. Military OTM rounds like the Mk 262 in 5.56 have earned reputations for exceptional accuracy while maintaining appropriate terminal effectiveness. Long-range recreational shooting has embraced OTM ammo for similar reasons. The superior ballistic coefficients and consistency make these bullets ideal for engaging targets at extended distances. Shooters focused on maximizing precision for target shooting regularly select OTM options for their demonstrated ability to shrink group sizes and provide predictable trajectories across varying environmental conditions.

Terminal Performance of OTM Ammunition

While not designed primarily for terminal performance, OTM bullets demonstrate distinct terminal characteristics worth understanding. Upon impact with soft tissue, OTM bullets typically create wound channels through a combination of temporary stretch cavity and permanent crush cavity. The small opening at the tip may initiate limited expansion under ideal circumstances, though this effect varies significantly based on impact velocity, medium density, and specific bullet design. Military testing indicates that OTM bullets demonstrate terminal effectiveness through fragmentation rather than expansion when fired at appropriate velocities. The Sierra MatchKing 77-grain OTM in 5.56, for example, typically fragments into multiple pieces after penetrating 3-5 inches in tissue simulant. This fragmentation creates secondary wound channels that contribute to the overall terminal effect despite not being designed specifically for this purpose. It's important to note that terminal performance varies significantly between different OTM designs and across different velocity ranges. Some designs with thinner jackets may demonstrate more pronounced terminal effects, while those with thicker jackets prioritize ballistic consistency over terminal performance. This variation explains why some OTM loads perform adequately for certain hunting applications while others prove less effective for anything beyond paper targets. Purchase OTM Ammo

Popular OTM Bullet Manufacturers

Sierra produces perhaps the most recognized OTM projectiles through their MatchKing line. These bullets have set numerous competition records and serve as the standard against which other match bullets are measured. The MatchKing design features a thin jacket with an extremely uniform thickness and precisely formed boat tail. Sierra offers MatchKing bullets in calibers ranging from .22 to .338, with multiple weight options available in popular chamberings. Hornady manufactures OTM bullets under their A-MAX and ELD Match designations. The A-MAX line features traditional open-tip designs with polymer tips inserted to protect the meplat and enhance aerodynamics. Their ELD Match (Extremely Low Drag) bullets incorporate proprietary Heat Shield tips designed to resist deformation from aerodynamic heating, a factor that can affect extreme long-range accuracy. Berger produces highly regarded OTM bullets with their VLD (Very Low Drag) and Hybrid designs. These bullets feature carefully calculated ogive profiles that enhance ballistic performance while maintaining stability across various twist rates. Berger's matching manufacturing approach prioritizes consistency and concentricity, resulting in projectiles favored by many competitive shooters and precision reloaders.

Popular OTM Factory Ammunition

Federal Premium produces several OTM loads under their Gold Medal Match line. These offerings utilize Sierra MatchKing bullets loaded to exacting standards with match-grade primers and carefully selected powders. Their .308 Win loading with 175-grain MatchKing bullets has become particularly renowned for exceptional accuracy, serving as a standard for many military and law enforcement precision rifles. Black Hills Ammunition manufactures highly regarded OTM loads including their Mk 262 clone in 5.56. This load features a 77-grain Sierra MatchKing bullet and gained fame through its adoption by military special operations units. Black Hills maintains extremely tight quality control standards, producing ammunition that consistently delivers sub-MOA accuracy from quality rifles. Hornady produces Match ammunition featuring their ELD Match bullets across numerous calibers. Their Precision Hunter line, while marketed for hunting, essentially consists of OTM bullets with slightly thinner jackets to enhance terminal performance. These loads deliver excellent accuracy while maintaining appropriate terminal effectiveness for certain hunting applications where legally permitted.

Conclusion

Open tip match ammunition represents specialized precision technology that prioritizes accuracy through consistent manufacturing processes and aerodynamic efficiency. Despite superficial similarities to hollow points, these bullets serve fundamentally different purposes, with OTM designs focusing on match-grade performance rather than terminal ballistics. Their exceptional consistency and ballistic efficiency make them ideal choices for competition, long-range target shooting, and precision tactical applications. The superior performance of OTM ammunition comes with corresponding price premiums, with match-grade loads typically costing 30-50% more than standard FMJ offerings. For shooters who prioritize precision, this additional cost provides tangible benefits in group size reduction and predictable performance across varied conditions. The specialized nature of these bullets makes them most suitable for applications where accuracy represents the primary consideration. All in all, OTM ammunition delivers exceptional accuracy potential for shooters seeking maximum precision from their firearms. Whether for competition, long-range target shooting, or specialized tactical applications, these carefully engineered projectiles provide the consistency and ballistic performance serious precision shooters demand. We here at True Shot Ammo carry premium OTM ammunition in addition to our extensive inventory of ammo for sale. Our range of ammunition for sale encompasses popular calibers like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy OTM ammunition or buy bulk ammo, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.