If you own a firearm, you will need to buy ammo for it. Click here for a guide on the different types of ammo to learn everything you should know.
The word “bullet”, was originally derived from “boulle” or boullet, meaning small ball in French. Oddly enough, the origins of “ammunition” also has its roots in the French language, and is a derivative of the phrase “la munition”, meaning material used for war.
If you own a firearm or are looking to get one, let’s assume your motivations (one can only hope) are far less sinister than war. So given that your intentions probably include the likes of self-defense or hunting, how do you choose from the different types of ammo out there?
It can be extremely confusing, especially if you’re new!
So, let’s look into what your options are, what you need to consider and how elements like caliber come into play.
Different Types of Ammo: Understanding Caliber
The parts of ammunition and their calibers play a huge role in the effect they produce. And since ammunition is usually indicated by its caliber, let’s look into what that really is.
Caliber refers to two things: the diameter of the bullet and that of the barrel. So in order to choose the right caliber for your firearm, you need to know the caliber of the barrel. Where the United States uses a standard measurement, to keep things simple, some people use the metric system.
So, 20 mm = .60
Bullets that have a caliber of less than .60 are called small arms, and those with higher calibers are usually called artillery. Here are a few of the most common types of ammunition by caliber.
.22 LR
These are commonly used for smaller pistols and is great for those just starting out, or looking for long-range self-defense, like the kind you may need during hunting. It fires with little or negligible recoil.
9mm
The 9mm is perhaps one of the most popular classes of ammunition and fires with little recoil. However, they still penetrate well at close range and are a common choice of ammunition for police and the military.
.38 Special
This is typically used in revolvers and was first put into use during the first world war. This is larger than the above two and offers relatively higher recoil.
.223
Generally used in assault rifles, these are normally great for hunting or even practice rounds. Given their size, they are used in larger firearms.
12 Guage
Regarded as some of the most practical, accessible and affordable of rounds. Given that the 12 Guages are shotgun rounds, they’re normally used while hunting, both airborne and land creatures.
Shotguns are measured in “gauge”. Here, the lower the number, the larger the diameter.
More Than Size: Understanding Modifiers
In order to get the right effect out of your ammunition, you need to look beyond caliber. Here are some common variations you should know.
- Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) – The bullet has a soft core that is encased within a thin layer of harder metal
- Soft Point or Soft Nosed – This kind is encased with hard metal, up till the tip, leaving a “soft point” or nose. This allows the bullet to expand, on contact, leaving a wound larger than the diameter of the bullet
- Wad Cutter (WC) – A flat-tipped bullet, normally used in handguns
- Hollow Point (HP) – The bullet is left hollow in the middle, and expands upon contact.
- Armor Piercing (AP) – These bullets are designed specifically to pierce through armor. Their cores are usually made from hard substances like steel.
Identify Your Purpose
Before you make the call on what ammo you should get, know what you intend to use it for. Different types of ammo work better in different scenarios.
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