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About Bonded Soft Point (SP) Ammunition

These loadings feature bullets with a chemically or mechanically bonded lead core and copper jacket, topped with an exposed lead tip designed for controlled expansion. The bonding process prevents core separation during impact while the soft point construction ensures reliable expansion initiation and consistent mushrooming on game. This design provides excellent weight retention and deep penetration while maintaining the proven terminal performance characteristics of traditional soft point bullets. These types of loadings are well-suited for big game hunting applications where maximum weight retention, reliable expansion, and deep penetration are essential for effective performance on medium to large game animals.

Common Bonded Soft Point (SP) Calibers

• .223 Remington:The .223 Remington, often referred to as the .223 Rem, is one of the most common rifle calibers in the United States. As an intermediate rifle cartridge, .223 Rem loadings will produce a light recoil impulse and feature a light projectile. The rounds will typically yield a high velocity and feature a flat trajectory. While the cartridge and its NATO cousin have seen duty use, the .223 Rem has also established itself as a capable round as far as target shooting and hunting go as well. The round is enjoyed by shooters, both new and experienced, due to the light recoil and overall performance afforded by the cartridge.
• .243 Winchester:The .243 Winchester cartridge was introduced in 1955 as a result of a collaboration between Warren Page and Winchester. It was developed from the .308 Winchester case and necked down to accept a .243” (6mm) diameter projectile. The .243 Winchester is a versatile cartridge that is well-suited for both varmint and big game hunting due to its flat trajectory, manageable recoil, and excellent accuracy. The high velocities and flat-shooting trajectory of the cartridge make it well-suited to precision shooting use cases. The round was also utilized by many competitors in marksmanship competitions, helping 6mm cartridges grow in popularity in this use case.
• .45 Colt:The .45 Colt, introduced in 1872, was originally developed for use with the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Known for its role in the American West, the .45 Colt has a storied history as a powerful and reliable cartridge. Today, the .45 Colt remains popular among cowboy action shooters and a variety of other types of shooters for its accuracy and traditional appeal.
• .22 LR:Arguably one of the most popular calibers in existence, the .22 Long Rifle made its debut in 1887. Introduced a year after the introduction of viable smokeless powder, the .22 Long Rifle quickly took advantage of the benefits of the newer type of propellant. While .22 Short and .22 Long loadings initially used black powder, the smokeless powder utilized by firearms after 1886 made for a more efficient and effective propellant. In a departure from the .22 Long, the .22 Long Rifle is able to reliably function in semi-automatic firearms. Semi-automatic pistols and rifles in .22 Long Rifle are some of the most common firearms owned by shooters in the United States. A firearm in .22 Long Rifle is a “first gun” for many new shooters and is an excellent caliber to learn with.
• 5.56x45mm:The 5.56x45mm NATO’s roots can be traced to the .223 Remington cartridge, a popular smallbore sporting cartridge. Initially, development for the cartridge began in the United States in 1957 alongside efforts to develop a smallbore, high-velocity firearm. This would eventually lead to the introduction of the AR-15 and subsequent M16 series of rifles. The cartridge would go on to see use by American forces in the Vietnam War and subsequent conflicts. During the 1970s and 1980s, NATO expressed interest in a standardized, smallbore cartridge to replace the 7.62x51mm NATO round. This led to the cartridge’s adoption by NATO in the form of the SS109 cartridge. After its adoption, the round has seen use with NATO members and allies such as the United Kingdom, Austria, France, and even Japan.

Firearms that Use Bonded Soft Point (SP) Ammo

• Pistols
• Rifles
• Rimfire Pistols and Rifles

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