Full metal jacket bullet

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For the Stanley Kubrick film, see Full Metal Jacket.

An example of FMJ bullets in their usual shapes: pointed ("spitzer") for the rifle and round for the pistol.

A full metal jacket bullet (or FMJ) is a bullet encased in a copper alloy such as gilding metal, cupronickel, or a steel alloy shell. This shell can extend around all of the bullet or often just the front and sides with the rear left as exposed lead. The jacket allows for higher muzzle velocities than bare lead without depositing significant amounts of metal in the bore. It also prevents damage to bores from steel or armor piercing core materials. This bullet type distinguishes itself from hollow point bullets.

1 History
2 Advantages
3 Disadvantages
4 External links

[edit] History

Full metal jacket ammunition is acceptable for military use by the countries that signed the Hague Convention of 1899, which prohibits the use of hollow point or expanding bullets in war between the countries which signed that agreement. It is often incorrectly stated that the prohibition is part of the Geneva Conventions, and that full metal jacket bullets are specifically required. Although the actual language is rather vague, full metal jacket bullets remain the best option available to stay within the letter and the spirit of the Hague convention. The bullet itself is still highly lethal when fired at close range.

[edit] Advantages

Because the bullet does not expand as hunting bullets are designed to, FMJ bullets are much more effective at armor-piercing. Similarly, they stand a better chance of reaching through to an enemy that is behind moderate cover, such as behind the sheetmetal of a vehicle, for example.
They are also more durable and stand up to rough handling on the battlefield.
Their rounded tips lend themselves to properly riding up the feed ramp of a semi-automatic pistol, whereas hollow-point bullets can sometimes present a somewhat higher risk of jamming. (This risk is kept to a minimum by using only high-quality firearms and ammunition and by conscientious pistolsmithing.)

[edit] Disadvantages

Because the bullet does not expand as hunting bullets are designed to, FMJ are much less likely to stop an enemy combatant. Hunters are not allowed to use FMJ rounds, due to their limited stopping power and propensity to travel great distances through brush, buildings, and other cover. The bullet relies on its victim to exsanguinate.