Training Ammo vs. Duty Ammo

You probably don’t need us to tell you that there are all different sorts of bullets out there, both in bullet style and weight.

Considering the fact that the type of ammo you train with can have big impacts on your abilities and proficiency, it behooves you to understand the differences.

This short post will break down some of the differences between training ammo and duty ammo like hollow point ammo, as well as when you should carry each.

Training ammo, as the name implies, is designed for training applications. Training ammo is, by and large, designed to be consistent, reliable, and to coach good handling skills that can then be transferred to other different types of ammo.

Probably the most common type of training ammo is full metal jacket ammo, which is also known as FMJ.

Full metal jacket bullets are completely enclosed in a copper jacket that leaves only the base of the bullet exposed.

This results in a high degree of radial symmetry and bullet stability, making this type of ammo very consistent, reliable, and accurate. Since the bullet core is protected, this type of ammo exhibits great weight retention, meaning it penetrates further than most other types of bullets.

This aspect of FMJ means it is suitable for target practice, but not for duty applications, as it does not dump its energy effectively and also presents a risk of overpenetration, imperiling bystanders.

However, FMJ ammo is relatively low cost, which makes it popular for teaching proper handling, drilling, and training. One contributor to the consistency of FMJ is the lack of void in the nose of the bullet which makes it less likely to experience feeding issues.

Another type of training ammo is TMJ ammo, which is like FMJ, except that the base of the bullet is fully enclosed. This helps to further eliminate lead fouling and lead exposure, making TMJ a choice training ammo for indoor range training.

Another popular type of training ammo is frangible ammo, which is made of sintered metal powder. Frangible ammo is perfect for two specific training disciplines: indoor training and shooting at steel targets.

This is because frangible ammo is loaded with bullets that are designed to disintegrate on contact with targets, which minimizes the risk of ricochet. This makes frangible ammo safer for indoor training and steel shooting.

However, because it neither delivers energy effectively, nor exhibits optimal penetration, it is not serviceable as duty ammo. While FMJ may have some duty applications, frangible ammo should be used solely for training.

Another type of training ammo is blank ammo, which is designed to simulate gunfire and which can teach cartridge handling with less risk to those involved in training. Blanks are commonly used in MilSim, or military simulation training.

Duty ammo broadly encompasses any types of ammo that are suitable for use in the field. The main category of duty ammo is hollow point ammo, though there are many different kinds.

Hollow point ammo is any type of ammo loaded with a bullet that has a hollow cavity in the tip. This hollow is designed to expand rapidly on contact with a soft target, resulting in a wider wound channel, cavitation, and greater stopping potential.

Hollow point ammo may exhibit any of several design features that aid in expansion, such as skives along the jacket that serve as weak tearaway points, or a post in the center that redirects fluid forces outward.

Hollow point ammo therefore offers superior stopping power when compared to full-metal jacket ammo, all things considered, making it better for neutralizing threats.

At the same time, hollow point ammo is considerably more expensive than FMJ ammo, and not as reliable in some firearms as the edge of the bullet nose can hang up on feed ramps and chamber edges.

One other alternative to hollow point ammo that might be suitable in some duty applications is soft-point ammo. Soft point ammo, in which the lead core of the bullet is exposed at the bullet tip, is also designed for maximum expansion and stopping power.