Explained: 4 Major Types of Ammunitions Available in the Market in 2023

Though the world has been relatively calm in the 21^st century as compared to the 1900s, regional conflicts are still ongoing in different parts of the globe. Russia-Ukraine, India-Pakistan, Israel-Palestine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, the Yemen Crisis, etc., have been some of the bloodiest conflicts that have taken place in the last few years. Moreover, proxy wars, terrorist attacks, military coups have also raised tensions in several parts of the world. Owing to such a volatile geopolitical scenario, the global ammunition market has grown considerably. A report published by Research Dive highlights the stunning expected growth of the ammunition market in the 2022-2031 timeframe; the market is poised to grow from $21,980.00 million in 2021 to $31,717.40 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 3.9%.

Types of Ammunition Bullets Available in the Market in 2023

Though the ammunitions industry mainly runs on the global military and defense sector, it isn’t the only factor that pushes the bullet industry forward. Ammunition bullets are hugely in demand from professional shooters who take part in various sports competitions, professional hunters and forest officials, and law enforcement agencies. Since individuals engaged in the above-mentioned professions have different roles, the bullets used by them differ considerably. The ammunition market, to fulfill their demands, has come up with various types of bullets. Some of these are mentioned below:

1. Full Metal Jacket

The full metal jacket bullet is a small arms projectile which consists of a soft core, generally made of lead, while the outer shell is made up of a harder material such as cupronickel or steel alloy. Due to this hard outer shell, the amount of lead that gets deposited in the gun barrel is greatly reduced. As a result of this, the bullet, once fired, can maintain its muzzle velocity and accuracy which increases the bullet’s penetration capacity. Their high accuracy and velocity maintaining ability makes them the go-to-choice for professional shooters in shooting competitions and target practice sessions.  

2. Hollow-Point Bullet

Hollow-point bullet, as the name suggests, has a hole at the top of the bullet. Due to the hollow tip and the soft material from which it is made, this ammunition type experiences quick expansion and rapid release of energy. This rapid release of energy imparts a unique characteristic to the bullet- it causes more impactful damage, that too without penetrating further than required. Hence, this type of bullet is specifically used in situations where collateral damage needs to be minimized and at the same time maximizing the damage on the intended target.

3. Ballistic Tips

Also called polymer tip ammunition, these bullets have a polymer tip in the hole at the top of the bullet. Ballistic tips are most commonly used in rifles for hunting. The polymer tip helps in keeping the trajectory of the bullet stable, thus increasing the accuracy of the ammunition. Also, the polymer ballistic tip reduces the effects of wind and gravity on the bullet and keeps the bullet in the air for a longer time span. Thus, the polymer tip acts as a guidance system for the bullet which is why these tips are called ‘ballistic’ tips.

4. Bonded Bullet

Bonded bullets are those ammunition bullets wherein the soft lead core is chemically bonded to the hard outer jacket. This bullet is so manufactured that there is a strong adhesive force between the core and the mantle of the bullet which keeps the bullet parts together even after hitting the target. As a result of this, this ammunition has a much stronger penetrative force, which is why bonded bullets are primarily used when the target is hard or tough to penetrate.

The Bottom Line

Not just between professions, the use of ammunition bullets differs even within one profession. For example, even for hunting, different types of bullets are used depending upon the game that is being hunted. If the game is a big one and is thick skinned, bonded bullet would be used, but in other instances, ballistic tips would be used. Also, in the case of warfare, the type of ammunition used is heavily dependent on the type of combat, and in the last few years, advanced and high-quality ammunition has been developed specially designed for military personnel and law enforcement agencies. These factors, too, have been instrumental in pushing the growth rate of the market higher.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.