What Are Different Types Of Bullets Used For?

Bullet terminology and grain weight basics

The video begins by clarifying what the word “bullet” actually means. Many people use it to describe the entire cartridge, including case, powder, primer, and projectile. Technically, the bullet is only the projectile at the front. A .50 caliber projectile weighing about 660 grains is used as an example. Grain is explained as a unit of mass, with one grain being 1/7000 of a pound, and bullet weights are commonly listed in grains. This sets the foundation for understanding how different projectiles are categorized and compared before moving into specific bullet types and their construction.

Full metal jacket and soft point hunting bullets

The first major category covered is full metal jacket (FMJ). An FMJ projectile is described as having a copper jacket that fully encloses the bullet, including the base, rather than leaving exposed lead at the rear as seen in some commercial loads. The discussion then moves to soft point bullets, illustrated with a carbine round that has an exposed lead tip. Soft points maintain an aerodynamic profile for stable flight while allowing the lead tip to deform and expand more than a typical FMJ, making them useful for hunting where controlled expansion in tissue is desired. A .308 example is shown to contrast typical FMJ behavior with the increased expansion of soft point designs.

Hollow points, frangible rounds, and home defense use

Hollow point bullets are introduced as projectiles with a cavity in the nose designed to expand on impact. They are commonly used for home defense, personal defense, concealed carry, and everyday carry in calibers such as 9mm, .45, .40, 10mm, 5.56, and 300 Blackout. When a hollow point strikes a target, the cavity fills with tissue or other material, causing the bullet to widen, slow rapidly, and generally penetrate less than a comparable FMJ, such as a 9mm full metal jacket. This reduced risk of overpenetration is presented as a key reason they are favored for defensive roles. Frangible ammunition is also mentioned as a defensive option, designed to break apart or disintegrate on impact, further limiting penetration beyond the initial target.

Open tip match vs hollow point for accuracy and defense

The video distinguishes hollow points from open tip match (OTM) bullets. While both may appear to have an opening at the tip, OTM projectiles are manufactured for accuracy rather than expansion. Open tip match rounds, such as 77 grain open tip match boat tail in 5.56, are typically longer, often feature a boat tail for better aerodynamics, and are designed with the center of gravity optimized for stable, long-range flight. They may expand, but that is not their intended purpose. In contrast, a 300 Blackout hollow point from PPU is described as being marketed for home or personal defense, where the cavity is expected to fill with tissue and expand to limit penetration. The choice between OTM and hollow point is framed around role: OTM for precision and distance, hollow point for defensive use, with both generally costing more than basic FMJ practice ammunition.

Armor piercing, green tip, and .50 BMG roles

Attention then shifts to bullets intended for penetrating harder materials. A black tip M2AP .30-06 armor piercing round is shown as an example of a projectile designed to defeat armor. The video notes that true armor piercing rounds, such as M995 in 5.56, typically use a very hard core material like tungsten carbide rather than the simple steel core found in 62 grain M855 green tip. The M855 green tip is described as having a steel core that penetrates soft tissue easily and can continue through a target, making it less suitable for home defense due to overpenetration concerns. The .50 BMG cartridge is also discussed, with clarification that BMG stands for Browning Machine Gun, not a slang phrase. The .50 BMG is characterized as a powerful cartridge capable of destroying targets and material beyond them, and the importance of not confusing it with other “M2” or “M1” designations in different calibers is emphasized.

Blanks, range use, and choosing ammo for your mission

The final section covers blanks and practical ammo selection. A 9x18 blank is shown, identified by its crimped tip and described as producing noise without a projectile. It can be fired for sound effects or training but does not send a bullet downrange. The discussion then returns to matching ammunition to specific roles. For casual range use and high round counts, inexpensive 55 grain FMJ is suggested as adequate for punching paper or steel. For long-range shooting with rifles like a Mark 12 18-inch 5.56, higher quality match ammunition such as 77 grain open tip boat tail or PMC XTAC Match .223 is preferred for tighter groups. For concealed carry or home defense, hollow point ammunition is recommended. The overall guidance is to let the intended mission—whether mag dumping at the range, precision shooting, or personal defense—dictate the choice of bullet type.