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Tag: bullets

  • Your Guide For Need to Know Bullet Information

    Your Guide For Need to Know Bullet Information

    When it comes to bullets, there is a LOT of information out there.  Basic knowledge can be very useful when determining what type of firearm you may want to try out or eventually purchase.

    Ammunition itself can be extremely intimidating to the novice.  Selecting the right ammo for personal defense or hunting is a very important decision that can affect performance and safety. In this article, we’ll discuss some basic terms and then go into more detail on common ammo types.

    First, let’s take a quick look at the most common types of weapons used by civilians for sport, home or personal defense.

    Revolver – Named for its revolving cylinder that is usually made up of 6 chambers designed to hold one cartridge each.  For the newbie, these are the types used in classic westerns.  Think “6-shooter.”

    Pistol – This is the most common handgun used today by pros and amateurs alike.  It’s a hand-operated weapon like the revolver but distinguishes itself primarily by using “clips” of ammo that can be changed out during use to expedite firing.

    Rifle – The general term for any shoulder firearm that discharges its ammo through a barrel at least 16 inches in length or more.

    Basic Terms You’ve Probably Heard

    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) – The most common type of bullet.  Made up of a softcore metal encased by a harder metal.

    Hollow Point (HP) – Designed to expand on impact.

    Open Tip (OTM) – Similar appearance to hollow points but the openings are too small to expand in the same manner.

    Ballistic Tip – A hollow point covered with plastic to copy the profile of a Full Metal Jacket.

    Bird Shot and Buck Shot – Shotgun rounds that consist of small pellets within in each shell.

     

    Bullet Size & Caliber

    For firearms, “caliber” refers to the diameter of the inside of the barrel (also the diameter of the bullet used). Some common bullets include:

    .22LR – The most common caliber in terms of units sold.

    .25 ACP – Slightly larger than the .22 and slightly more powerful.

    .380 ACP – One of the more popular caliber, the .380 has a low recoil making it easier to handle if you are just starting out.

    9mm – Probably the most popular, it’s the same size as the bullet used in the .380 and the .38 Special. The difference lies in the amount of gunpowder used in each.

    .38 Special – Most often used in revolvers. More recoil than the .380, especially when used in lighter weight revolvers.

    7.62x39mm – A Soviet rifle round used in the AK-47. Moderate recoil.

    .223 / 5.56x45mm – These 2 (.223 and the 5.56 Remington) are almost equal in dimensions.

    5.56 has higher pressures.  The .223 rounds can be fired in a 5.56 rifle, but the 5.56 rounds cannot be used in a .223 rifle.  Each cartridge has light recoil.

    .308 / 7.62x51mm – these both also have almost the same dimension but are not able to swap rifle use.  Popular for hunting.

    12 Gauge – The most popular shotgun round, recoil varies based on the round.  Shotgun ammunition is the most versatile with birdshot and buckshot.

    Some Final Notes on Selecting Your Ammo

    When you get to the point where you are ready to select ammunition for whatever purpose you’ve obtained a firearm, it’s important to find out:

    • The ballistics of the cartridge you’ve chosen
    • Whether or not it’s appropriate for the job you need it to do (e., hunting, personal defense, target practice)
    • How prone it is to going through objects or living tissue

    That last one especially is crucial for safety and liability reason.

  • 5 Questions You Need to Answer When Choosing a Handgun

    5 Questions You Need to Answer When Choosing a Handgun

    Choosing your first handgun can be both exciting and overwhelming.  Just like choosing your first car, there are a number of models, sizes, and budgets available.  Not to mention new versus used, ease of maintenance and the cost of the ammunition required to use with it.

    To make the process of taking this big step a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of questions that will help you determine a course of action when making this important purchase.

    Why Are You Making This Purchase?

    Knowing why you are buying a handgun will help you decide what type.  Do you intend to keep it on hand at home strictly for home defense?  Do you plan to obtain a concealed weapon permit and carry it with you?  Are you a recreational shooter who doesn’t want to rent one at the shooting range anymore?

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    The answers to these questions will help you determine what size and caliber will work best for your needs.  Larger models can be more intimidating during a home invasion.  So much so that you may not even need it to be loaded.  Smaller models are easier to transport back and forth to the shooting ranges.

    What’s Your Budget?

    Knowing ahead of time what you can afford will have a big impact on the number of handguns are available to you.

    Do You Want a New or Used One?

    Your budget may have some impact on how you answer this question.  If you are interested in a higher price model, a used version may allow you to get just what you want without breaking the bank.

    If you do go with a used handgun, make sure you purchase it from a legitimate vendor.  Then have it checked thoroughly for damage and wear that could affect its firing performance and safety.

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    What Caliber and Size?

    When comparing two handguns of similar size and weight, the one designed to shoot a larger caliber will perform with more recoil.  Smaller caliber designs have less recoil.

    If you are just beginning to work on your skill, a smaller caliber will allow you to focus on improving your aim and ability.  As you progress, moving up to a larger caliber will let you continue your progress.

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    A note on gun size as it relates to the size of your hands.  In addition to caliber and how easy or difficult it makes handling the weapon, a smaller size will also be more manageable if you have a smaller hand size. Recently a friend went with her husband to the local shooting range to try out his 9mm.  After firing off several clips, she had the opportunity to test a .380.  She was amazed by the ease of use of the smaller caliber and size after fumbling with the larger and more cumbersome model her husband owned.

    If you know you want to use your handgun for personal protection, it’s a good idea to get one that is easy for you to load, fire and reload.

    How Does It Feel?

    While closely related to the size and caliber question, when it comes down to it, this is the most important question you’ll answer.  If a certain model and size feel more comfortable than others, that’s probably the one for you.

    A good way to test different models is to watch for vendor demos at your local shooting range.  Sig Sauer, for example, will often do demos several times a year.  At these events, you can test several models of different sizes and calibers to see what works best for your skill level.

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