Perhaps you’ve seen some 7.62 full metal jacket in our collection and been attracted to the competitive prices. That much is definitely true, for the time being 7.62 is a relatively affordably priced ammo, and FMJ all the more so.
But apparently there is some less than credible information out there regarding FMJ ammo, and 7.62, as well. Here are some of the top questions, answered.
What Is a Full Metal Jacket?
A full metal jacket is a bullet configuration in which the lead core of the bullet is fully encased by a jacket of harder metal, which is usually copper but can be other alloys.
Technically, full metal jacket bullets are open at the base, where the lead core is exposed. Only OTM ammo (like Federal Gold Medal Match) is fully enclosed at the base; the only place where the jacket is not completely sealed is at a small hollow in the nose.
However, OTM ammo is far more expensive than plain old FMJ.
What Is the Purpose of a 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Bullet?
The purpose of a 7.62 full metal jacket bullet is consistency, paired with stability and optimal penetration.
Whereas other types of ammo, like soft point or hollow point bullets, deform on impact, a full metal jacket round is designed to keep its shape. This makes it better in terms of penetration.
FMJ ammo is not, however, armor piercing, and there are classes of armor that can easily turn FMJ bullets.
Also, because they are so stable, FMJ ammo is considered highly accurate, especially at long and intermediate ranges, compared to hollow point bullets.
Are There Drawbacks to FMJ Ammo?
There are some drawbacks of FMJ ammo depending on what your uses are. Arguably the biggest one is that they are designed to penetrate, not dump their energy.
Therefore, FMJ ammo is not suitable for defensive or sporting applications like hunting, as it will hit and maim a target, probably before passing right through it.
FMJ ammo can also be pretty hard on steel targets, especially at close ranges, and it also produces a risk of ricochet, so at some indoor ranges or when steel shooting, frangible bullets are better.
Why Are FMJ Bullets Illegal (Disclaimer: They’re Not)
We’re not entirely sure where this myth came from, or why it’s such a popular search on Google. Still, for better or worse, it is, so here we are answering it.
Full metal jacket, or FMJ ammo, is not illegal. In fact, FMJ ammo is far and away the most popular type of ammo for drilling, training, and competing. Its low cost, high availability, reliability, and accuracy are responsible for this.
Why Is 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Bad for Self-Defense? (It’s Also Bad for Hunting)
This statement must be made with a caveat because this cartridge (7.62x39mm) is actually excellent for defensive applications. It’s just that 7.62 FMJ is not.
This is because, as stated, the bullets are not designed to expand on contact with a target and therefore are not optimized for energy transfer.
Some have noted that 7.62 FMJ bullets tend to tumble, producing a wider wound channel, but this trait is inconsistent when compared to the reliable expansion of hollow point bullets. Moreover, even if FMJ bullets do tumble they produce a serious risk of overpenetration.
Why Is 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Bad for Long-Range Shooting?
To be clear, full metal jacket ammo actually is great for long-range shooting because it has a high degree of radial symmetry and is highly accurate, a trait it shares with OTM ammo.
However, 7.62 full metal jacket ammo is bad for long range shooting because all 7.62x39 ammo is terrible at long ranges.
This is one of the worst cartridges out there for long-range shooting, nearly as bad as some pistol cartridges. It droops terribly, with some rounds dropping 10 inches or more when zeroed at 100 yards.
What Is 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Good for?
There are plenty of shooting disciplines that 7.62 full metal jacket is good for, and among them are competition, drilling, and training. Pretty much any high-volume shooting discipline also makes a good match for 7.62 FMJ.
Just don’t use it for defensive applications, for hunting, or for long-range shooting. Also, it’s not the best for steel shooting or indoor shooting.
Is 7.62x39mm More Powerful Than 5.56 NATO?
The 7.62 Soviet cartridge is considerably more powerful than the 5.56 NATO. Most 5.56 cartridges will produce somewhere between 1,200 and 1,400 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, compared to 1,450 to 1,525 ft-lbs of muzzle energy for the 7.62x39mm. The 5.56 has a higher muzzle velocity but in terms of sheer stopping power the 7.62 Soviet is a much more powerful option.
What’s the Difference Between 7.62x39mm (Soviet) and 7.62x51mm (NATO)?
Don’t get these two cartridges confused despite the fact that they have nearly the same name and are often both simply referred to as “7.62.”
The 7.62x39mm was developed by the Soviets to be used as an intermediate rifle cartridge and many popular platforms have been chambered for it, such as the AK-47 and SKS rifles.
The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge was developed by the United States Army for the M14 rifle. Its civilian counterpart is the .308 Winchester.
The 7.62 NATO is a much larger, more powerful cartridge than the 7.62 Soviet.
Stock Up on 7.62 Full Metal Jacket Ammo Here
Here because you’re looking for a deal on 7.62 full metal jacket ammo? Get it while the prices are still good and buy in bulk where you can. Just make sure you use FMJ ammo for applications appropriate for it and use some other ammo for hunting and defensive applications. While you’re here, bookmark our page and stop back periodically so you can check our police trade-in specials and other deals.