What Ammo Labels Mean by Deuce

Published on August 27, 2018
Duration: 10:03

This video explains the meaning of various labels on ammunition boxes, focusing on bullet weight (grains), construction types (FMJ, JHP, copper-plated, cast lead, frangible, soft point), and bullet shapes (round nose, truncated cone, semi-wadcutter, wadcutter). It clarifies that 'grain' is a unit of weight for the bullet itself, not powder or sand. The instructor emphasizes understanding these distinctions for proper ammunition selection and performance.

Quick Summary

On an ammo box, 'grain' refers to the weight of the bullet itself, a standard unit of measurement like grams or ounces. FMJ bullets are fully copper-jacketed, while JHP bullets have a hollow nose for expansion. Copper-plated bullets have a thin jacket, and wadcutters are flat-nosed for precise target shooting.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Common Misconceptions
  2. 00:50Understanding Bullet Weight (Grains)
  3. 01:43Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Explained
  4. 02:05Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) Explained
  5. 02:40Copper Plated Bullets
  6. 03:21Cast Lead Bullets
  7. 03:40Frangible Bullets
  8. 04:16Soft Point Bullets
  9. 05:11Bullet Shapes: Pistol vs. Rifle
  10. 05:55Hollow Points in Pistols
  11. 06:17Ball Ammo & Round Nose (RN)
  12. 06:29Truncated Cone (TC) Bullets
  13. 06:55Semi-Wadcutter (SWC) Bullets
  14. 07:42Wadcutter (WC) Bullets
  15. 08:48Conclusion & Further Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'grain' mean on an ammo box?

On an ammo box, 'grain' refers to the weight of the bullet itself. It's a standard unit of measurement, similar to grams or ounces, used to quantify how heavy the projectile is, which impacts its performance.

What is the difference between FMJ and JHP bullets?

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullets are fully encased in a copper jacket, common for target practice. Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) bullets have a hollow nose designed to expand upon impact, increasing wound potential, often used for self-defense.

Are copper-plated bullets the same as FMJ?

Copper-plated bullets have a very thin copper coating over a lead core, applied via electroplating. They are similar to FMJ but much thinner, behaving more like cast lead bullets and requiring careful handling during reloading.

What are wadcutter bullets used for?

Wadcutter bullets are designed with a flat, full-diameter nose that sits flush with the case. They are primarily used in revolvers for highly accurate target shooting, as they punch clean, precise holes in paper targets.

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