FMJ vs hollow point: what's the difference?
How the two bullet types are built, what each is usually used for, and the range and legal rules worth checking before you buy.
Walk down any ammo aisle, or scroll a caliber page, and you'll see two labels over and over: FMJ and JHP (jacketed hollow point). They can share the same caliber, bullet weight and even the same box size. They're built for different jobs, though, and they're treated differently by some ranges, some hunting rules and some state and local laws.
How each bullet is built
Full metal jacket (FMJ). A lead core wrapped in a harder metal jacket, usually copper or a copper alloy. The nose is closed: round on most handgun loads, pointed on many rifle loads. The base may leave some lead exposed. FMJ is designed to hold its shape.
Hollow point (HP or JHP). Also usually a lead core inside a jacket, but the nose has an open cavity. Many hollow points have a scored or skived jacket around that cavity. When the bullet hits something soft, the cavity helps it open up, or expand, into a wider shape. Some modern defensive bullets are solid copper with a hollow nose. They work on the same principle.
| FMJ | Hollow point | |
|---|---|---|
| Nose | Closed | Open cavity |
| Designed to | Keep its shape | Expand on impact |
| Typical use | Practice, training, plinking, some competition | Self-defense; some hunting loads |
| Typical cost per round | Usually lower | Usually higher (defensive loads) |
Typical uses
Range and training. FMJ is the everyday practice round. It's widely made in the common calibers and generally feeds smoothly in semi-auto pistols. It usually costs less per round than premium defensive loads, which matters when you're shooting hundreds of rounds a month.
Self-defense. Defensive handgun ammunition is almost always a hollow point designed to expand. Ammunition makers advise against carrying FMJ for self-defense. Federal Premium, for example, says only expanding bullets designed for self-defense should be used for concealed carry.
Expansion and overpenetration, in plain terms
Expansion is a hollow point opening up after impact. A wider bullet slows down faster and usually stops sooner.
Overpenetration means a bullet passes through what it was fired at and keeps going. A non-expanding FMJ keeps its narrow shape and tends to keep more of its energy, so it's more likely to travel farther. That's the main reason defensive ammunition is designed to expand. Federal describes over-penetration from FMJ as a risk to bystanders, including people in adjacent rooms or beyond exterior walls.
Neither bullet type changes the basic rule: know your target and what's beyond it.
Range rules
Ranges set their own ammunition policies to protect their backstops, baffles and targets. Some restrict certain ammunition, such as steel-core or bimetal-jacketed bullets, tracers, or anything that sticks to a magnet. A few set rules about specific bullet types. Check your range's posted rules before you buy a bulk case. For more on case and jacket materials, see brass vs steel case ammo.
Legal notes
Hunting. Hunting rules often run the other way. Many states require expanding bullets for big game and prohibit non-expanding full metal jacket bullets. For example, North Dakota's elk, moose and bighorn sheep proclamation lists "full metal jacketed bullets which are nonexpanding" among prohibited equipment. Requirements vary by state, species and season, so read your state wildlife agency's current regulations before you hunt.
Shopping for each on Price Dope
Caliber pages let you filter by bullet type, so you can compare FMJ and hollow-point listings separately. In-stock offers come first, ranked by cost per round, and every offer shows when it was last checked. Compare like with like: a 50-round box of defensive hollow points and a 1,000-round case of FMJ aren't the same product, even when the caliber matches. See cost per round, explained.
Price Dope doesn't sell anything; purchases are completed with the retailer. Follow federal, state and local law.
Sources
- Federal Premium, Put FMJs in their place (FMJ vs expanding bullets for carry; over-penetration).
- North Dakota Game and Fish, 2026–2027 Elk, Moose and Bighorn Sheep Proclamation, section 4, Firearms and Archery Equipment.
FMJ vs hollow point FAQ
What does FMJ stand for?
Full metal jacket. It's a bullet with a soft lead core wrapped in a harder metal jacket, usually copper or a copper alloy, with a closed, rounded or pointed nose.
Why is FMJ the usual range ammo?
It's simple to make, widely available and usually costs less per round than defensive hollow points. It also tends to feed reliably, which makes it the common choice for practice, training and plinking.
Why are hollow points used for self-defense?
They're designed to expand as they pass through a target. That limits how far they travel and lowers the chance of the bullet exiting and continuing beyond what you meant to hit. Ammunition makers such as Federal recommend defensive hollow points, not FMJ, for carry.
Are hollow points legal?
In most of the U.S., yes. But some states and localities regulate hollow-point ammunition, including how it can be carried, bought or transported, so check the law where you live and anywhere you travel.
Can I use FMJ for hunting?
Often not for big game. Many states require expanding bullets for big game and prohibit non-expanding full metal jacket bullets. For example, North Dakota's elk, moose and bighorn sheep proclamation prohibits them. Check your state's current hunting regulations.
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