Understanding Hollow Point vs. Full Metal Jacket Ammunition

Hey there, shooters!

Let’s talk about ammo. If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of an ammo shelf, scratching your head, and wondering about the differences between hollow point and full metal jacket ammunition, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get asked at the shop. Understanding the basics can help you make the best choice for your needs.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Ammunition:

First up, we have Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds. These are your bread-and-butter bullets, commonly used for target practice and general range shooting. FMJs are designed with a soft core, usually lead, encased in a harder metal shell. This design helps the bullet maintain its shape and penetrate targets effectively and it’s where the Full Metal Jacket name comes from. The bullet being made up of a lead core with some type of metal jacket around that core.

FMJs are great for:

1. Target Practice: They’re typically less expensive, making them ideal for high-volume shooting.
2. Consistent Performance: Their design allows for reliable feeding in most firearms, reducing the chance of jams, especially in older guns that were designed prior to hollowpoint ammunition becoming popular.
3. Penetration: They penetrate targets well, which is good for training but something to consider regarding over-penetration in self-defense scenarios.

Image showing hydrostatic shock as a bullet hits gelatin designed to mimic flesh for ballistic testing.

Hollow Point (HP) Ammunition:

Now, let’s dive into Hollow Point (HP) rounds. These are engineered for self-defense and hunting, or anything that is designed for good soft target performance. Which is a polite sounding industry word that really means the bullets are designed to kill living targets. 

HP rounds feature a hollowed-out tip sometimes with a polymer or other synthetic material inserted in it. When they hit a target, the tip expands, creating a larger wound channel. This expansion helps stop the threat more effectively by transferring more energy to the target and reducing the risk of over-penetration. In contrast, FMJ bullets tend to do what’s referred to in the industry as ice picking where they create a small narrow hole. This is detrimental in a self-defense setting because the wound channel can easily close back up in soft tissue this will restrict blood loss and keep your target in the fight longer.

HPs are great for:

1. Self-Defense: Their design maximizes stopping power and soft tissue damage, making them a top choice for personal protection.
2. Hunting: They deliver more effective shots on game due to their expansion and energy transfer. Many states require hunting to be conducted with either hollow point or soft point ammunition because the larger wound tract kill more effectively and are considered more humane.
3. Reduced Over-Penetration: Since they expand on impact, there’s less chance of the bullet passing through the target and hitting something unintended, which is critical in a self-defense setting, particularly in an urban area where the risk for collateral damage is higher.

That last point is extremely important. In America, every bullet you fire might as well have a lawyer attached to it because of the legal risks to you as an armed citizen exercising your legal right to self defense. If your bullet goes through a bad guy and hits an innocent bystander, you’re looking at a world of legal trouble. Hollow points mitigate that risk by staying within the intended target generally speaking, making them a the safest option for self-defense scenarios.

Remember, in a self-defense situation, you’re responsible for every round you fire. Using hollow point bullets helps ensure that your shots are effective and stay on target, protecting you and those around you. It’s a serious safety consideration that can make all the difference when it matters most. In my opinion the ability to avoid over penetration with hollow point ammunition is of equal if not more value then the ability to end fights faster by terminating a target quicker than FMJ ammunition.

Federal HST +P 9mm Hollow Points are what Josh personally prefers to carry.

Which Should You Choose?

So, which one is right for you? It depends on your needs. For regular range sessions, FMJs are cost-effective and reliable. But if you’re looking for something to carry in your self-defense firearm or to take on your next hunting trip, hollow points are the way to go.

I personally carry Federal HST 124 Grain +P Jacketed Hollow Points in my daily carry pistol. Personally I like to find use a round that penetrate 18 inches and expands the best out of my chosen barrel length. Generally speaking I carry a CZ P-01 with a 3.75 inch barrel which is very common for most subcompact barrels. I base most of my decision making off the ammo testing done by Lucky Gunner. They’ve done extensive testing with just about every defensive round on the market and correlated that data here.

Still not sure? Come on down to TFirearms! The team and I are here to help you navigate these choices. We’ll help you pick the right ammo for your specific needs and ensure you’re well-equipped and informed to exercise your right to self defense in the safest and most prepared manner possible. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or new to the world of firearms, we’ve got you covered.

Stay safe out there, and happy shooting!

Joshua Stevens