What Are Different Types Of Bullets Used For?

Bullet Basics, Grains, FMJ, Soft Point, and Hollow Point

The video opens with Clint laying out a table full of different cartridges and projectiles, pointing out a crimped case that’s a blank, along with full metal jacket, hollow point, soft point, green tip, black tip, and open tip match rounds. He explains that people often use the word “bullet” to describe the whole cartridge, but technically the bullet is just the projectile at the front, not the case, powder, or primer. Holding up a large 660‑grain .50 caliber projectile, he uses it to segue into a quick explanation of grains as a unit of mass, noting that a grain is 1/7000 of a pound and that bullet weights are almost always listed in grains. From there, he moves into common projectile types, starting with full metal jacket (FMJ). He shows how an FMJ looks from the outside and then explains that what really defines it is the copper jacket that wraps around the projectile. In many commercial loads, there is exposed lead at the base, but the jacket still encloses the nose and sides. FMJ is presented as a common, economical choice for training and general shooting. Next he picks up a carbine round with a visible lead tip and identifies it as a soft point. Soft point bullets keep a streamlined, aerodynamic profile for good flight characteristics while exposing a softer lead tip that allows more expansion than FMJ on impact, making them popular for hunting where controlled expansion is desirable. He then transitions to hollow points, describing them as projectiles with a cavity in the nose. He emphasizes that hollow points are widely used for home and personal defense because, when they strike a target, the cavity fills with material, the bullet mushrooms outward, transfers energy efficiently, and is more likely to slow down in the target instead of continuing through, which helps reduce the risk of excessive penetration compared with FMJ or steel‑core green tip rounds.

Green Tip M855, Frangible, and Open Tip Match vs Hollow Point

The focus then shifts to the 62‑grain M855 green tip round, which uses a steel core. Clint explains that this construction helps it punch through soft tissue and light barriers while still maintaining good accuracy at distance, but it also means the projectile often continues past the initial target. Because of that tendency to keep going, he cautions that green tip is not the best choice for home defense where bystanders or property behind the target could be at risk. In contrast, he introduces frangible ammunition, which is designed to break apart when it hits hard surfaces like steel. This characteristic greatly reduces the chance of dangerous ricochets and makes frangible rounds useful for close‑range training on steel targets or in shoot houses. He revisits hollow point bullets to stress that they are intended to expand in soft tissue and slow down, which is exactly what most people want for personal protection. Clint then clarifies the difference between hollow points and open tip match (OTM) ammunition. Using examples like 77‑grain open tip match boat tail rounds, he points out that OTM bullets have a small opening at the tip, but that opening exists for manufacturing consistency and aerodynamic reasons, not to promote controlled expansion. OTM projectiles are chosen for long‑range accuracy and consistent performance, even though they tend to be more expensive. Dedicated hollow point loads, such as certain 300 Blackout offerings, are marketed specifically for defensive use because they are engineered to expand reliably, whereas OTM is primarily a precision and competition choice.

Special Core Projectiles, .50 BMG, and Blank Ammunition

Next, Clint talks about projectiles that use very hard cores to improve performance against tougher materials. He references examples like M2AP .30‑06 and M995 5.56, explaining that they use extremely hard materials such as tungsten carbide in the core to defeat protective barriers that would stop standard ball ammunition. He contrasts these with the M855 green tip, noting that while its steel core does enhance performance on certain hard targets compared with a typical FMJ, it does not meet the same legal or technical classification as those specialized barrier‑defeating rounds. He then introduces the .50 BMG cartridge and explains that BMG stands for Browning Machine Gun. Clint cautions viewers not to confuse the M2 .50 BMG with the .30‑06 M2 cartridge or with rifles like the M1 Garand and M1A, since the similar designations can be misleading. He highlights the size and power of .50 BMG compared with standard rifle cartridges. The segment also covers blank ammunition, showing a 9x18 blank with a crimped case mouth and no projectile. He explains that blanks are designed to produce noise and gas without launching a bullet, and they are used for training, ceremonial purposes, or theatrical work. While some blanks can be adapted to run in certain 9x19 platforms with the right setup, they are not intended for live‑fire applications where an actual projectile is required.

Long-Range AR-15 Ammo and 5.56 vs .223 Considerations

In the final portion, Clint discusses ammunition choices for long‑range shooting with AR‑15‑style rifles. He highlights loads like Black Hills 77‑grain open tip boat tail and PMC XTAC Match .223 as strong performers for precision work, especially from an 18‑inch 5.56 Mark 12‑type rifle. He notes that typical engagement distances for this setup are around 500 yards, where high‑quality match ammunition offers better consistency, tighter groups, and improved wind resistance compared with inexpensive bulk FMJ. Clint also addresses the differences between 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington. He explains that 5.56 NATO is generally loaded to higher pressures than .223, which can affect both chamber compatibility and performance. Shooters are advised to check their rifle’s barrel markings and follow manufacturer guidance when choosing between 5.56 and .223 loads. Throughout this section, he emphasizes matching ammunition to the rifle and the intended role—whether that’s long‑range precision with heavy match bullets, economical practice with 55‑grain FMJ on paper or steel, or specialized defensive loads designed for controlled expansion. The overarching message is that understanding bullet construction, pressure differences, and mission requirements helps shooters make informed, safe, and effective ammunition choices.