September 25, 2026
FMJ vs. Hollow Point vs. Soft Point
Photo: Same caliber, three different jobs: this is what each bullet is actually built to do.
Ammo aisles can feel like their own language, FMJ, JHP, soft point, and half the labels never explain what actually happens once that round hits something.
Every bullet design is engineered for a specific job, and picking the wrong one for your purpose can mean the difference between range plinking and real stopping power.
I've spent enough time picking through ballistic gel results and chronograph data to know these three designs aren't interchangeable.
Today we're breaking down what full metal jacket, hollow point, and soft point rounds actually do on impact, and when each one earns a spot in your mag.
FULL METAL JACKET: BUILT TO PUNCH THROUGH
FMJ wraps a lead core in a copper alloy shell that covers the nose, keeping the bullet's shape intact through impact.
That's why ranges love it. It's cheap, feeds reliably, and flies consistently with almost no expansion.
The tradeoff is exactly that lack of expansion. FMJ tends to pass straight through soft targets, which makes it a training and target round, not a defensive one.
HOLLOW POINTS: BUILT TO EXPAND
A hollow point leaves the tip open, so on impact the bullet mushrooms outward instead of staying a narrow cylinder.
That expansion dumps more energy into the target and carves a wider wound channel, while cutting the risk of over penetration.
That's exactly why hollow points are the standard for self-defense and duty carry. Heavy clothing can slow that expansion, which is why premium designs matter here.
SOFT POINTS: THE HUNTER'S MIDDLE GROUND
A soft point leaves the lead core exposed at the tip but keeps a jacket around the rest, splitting the difference between FMJ and hollow point.
It expands on impact, but more gradually, with better penetration through thick hide and muscle. That's why hunters lean on it for medium and big game.
It won't over penetrate like FMJ, and it won't expand quite as fast as a hollow point.
Next time you're loading up, think about the job first: target, defense, or game, and let the bullet design do the rest.
Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded
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