Ammo Types Explained: FMJ, JHP, Soft Point & More
Walk into any gun store or browse any online ammo retailer and you'll see a wall of abbreviations — FMJ, JHP, SP, BTHP, TMJ, and more. It can be overwhelming, especially for new gun owners. This guide breaks down every common ammunition type in plain language so you can buy the right ammo for your specific needs.
FMJ — Full Metal Jacket
What it is: A lead bullet completely enclosed in a harder metal shell (usually copper or a copper alloy). The jacket covers the entire bullet except the base.
What it's for: Range training, target practice, and competition. FMJ is the standard "practice ammo" — it's affordable, feeds reliably in virtually every firearm, and punches clean holes in paper targets.
Why you'd buy it: It's the cheapest option for high-volume shooting. If you're going to the range, you want FMJ. Currently, 9mm FMJ runs about $0.22-0.28 per round in bulk.
JHP — Jacketed Hollow Point
What it is: A jacketed bullet with a cavity in the tip that causes it to expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel and transferring more energy to the target.
What it's for: Self-defense and personal protection. JHP is the standard recommendation for carry ammo because it expands reliably and reduces the risk of over-penetration (going through the target and hitting something behind it).
Why you'd buy it: If you carry a firearm for self-defense, your carry magazine should be loaded with quality JHP ammunition. Top picks include Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Duty. Expect to pay $0.55-0.80 per round for quality defensive 9mm JHP.
SP — Soft Point
What it is: A jacketed bullet with an exposed lead tip. The jacket doesn't cover the nose of the bullet, allowing controlled expansion on impact.
What it's for: Hunting. Soft points offer a balance between penetration and expansion that's ideal for taking game. They expand more reliably than FMJ but more controllably than hollow points.
BTHP — Boat Tail Hollow Point
What it is: A hollow point bullet with a tapered (boat tail) base that improves aerodynamics and long-range accuracy.
What it's for: Precision shooting and match competition. The boat tail design gives the bullet a higher ballistic coefficient, meaning it maintains velocity and resists wind drift better at distance. Also popular for varmint hunting.
TMJ — Total Metal Jacket
What it is: Similar to FMJ, but the jacket covers the entire bullet including the base. This fully encloses the lead core.
What it's for: Indoor range shooting. Because the lead base is covered, TMJ produces less airborne lead at the firing line, making it healthier for enclosed shooting environments. Many indoor ranges require or strongly recommend TMJ over FMJ.
Frangible
What it is: A bullet made from compressed metal powder (usually copper-tin) that breaks apart into tiny pieces on impact with hard surfaces.
What it's for: Close-quarters training and steel target shooting. Frangible ammo disintegrates when it hits steel plates, eliminating dangerous ricochets. It's popular for defensive training courses and shooting steel at close distances.
The Bottom Line: What to Buy
For range practice: Buy FMJ in bulk. It's the cheapest option and works perfectly for training. Check our current 9mm deals.
For self-defense: Buy JHP from a reputable manufacturer. Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Duty are the gold standard. Don't cheap out on carry ammo.
For hunting: Soft point or bonded hollow point in the appropriate caliber for your game. Check local regulations — some states restrict bullet types for hunting.
Check our Price Check tool to see if current prices are fair before you buy.