
But, it isn’t necessary for general target shooting at the local shooting range. So, it is important to get some practice shooting defensive ammunition since it is likely the type of ammunition you would prefer in a real-life defensive situation. FMJ bullets move at a higher velocity than that of defensive ammunition, and the behavior of the bullet slightly differs. Unlike FMJ ammo, JHP ammo is designed to expand upon impact with a target, which causes extensive damage to the surrounding area. What is Defensive Ammunition?ĭefensive ammunition is designed to inflict as much damage as possible to the target, which is exactly what JHP ammo does. And, it is more difficult to tell where the exact entry point is when target shooting with ammunition that expands upon impact.

When shooting at the range, you don’t want to use ammunition that causes a whole bunch of damage to the surrounding area of the impact, since that would destroy the targets faster.

FMJ ammunition is designed to penetrate straight through a target, producing a clean entry and exit point.įMJ ammunition has a higher penetration point, so it travels further into and through the target while causing minimal impact to the area surrounding the bullet’s trajectory.
Types of guns and bullets full#
Target ammo is Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), whereas defensive ammo is often constructed as a Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP). Target ammunition is low-cost as compared to its defensive counterpart, and it is specially manufactured for target range shooting. Instead, target ammo is more affordable to use in bulk for target practice. You wouldn’t bring a box of new Callaway golf balls to hit at a driving range – and you don’t use heavy-duty ammunition for target practice. When you go to the gun range, the point is to practice, and that means shooting a lot of ammunition. Target Ammo vs Defensive Ammo: What’s the Difference? A common mistake of new shooters is bringing defensive ammo to the gun range – which is an expensive mistake. One of the learning curves for some new shooters is understanding the differences in ammunition, and which types are for what purposes. There are many different types of ammo for firearms, but they can generally be distinguished between target and defensive ammunition. Types of Ammo for Shooting at the Gun Range: Complete Guide – 2021
Types of guns and bullets how to#
And, see how to save money on target shooting ammunition the next time you go to the gun range. Find out which ammunition is the most common for target shooting, and why defensive ammunition is not typical to shoot at the range. Learn everything you need to know about the different types of ammo you shoot during target practice and defensively. And, there is a difference between target ammunition for the gun range and defensive ammunition. Most of a gun owner’s opinions on ammunition come from the practitioner’s experience of target shooting.

The topic of firearm ammunition is wide-reaching and filled with opinions about all different types of ammo.
