The short answer
Range ammo is usually full metal jacket (FMJ): cheap, clean-feeding and made for practice. Defense ammo is usually jacketed hollow point (JHP), built to expand and stop in the target instead of passing through. Practice with FMJ, carry JHP, and run enough of your carry load through your gun to trust it.
Full metal jacket: built for the range
An FMJ bullet is a lead core wrapped in a copper or brass jacket with a rounded nose. It feeds reliably, holds its shape and is the cheapest way to shoot a lot.
Because it doesn't expand, FMJ tends to pass straight through soft targets. That's fine on paper and steel. It's a poor choice for self-defense, where a bullet that leaves the target can hit something behind it.
You'll also see total metal jacket (TMJ, a fully enclosed base that cuts lead exposure at indoor ranges) and lead round nose (LRN, common in revolver calibers).
Jacketed hollow point: built for defense
A JHP bullet has a cavity in the nose. On impact it opens up, or expands, into a wider shape that slows down and stays in the target. That puts more of its energy where it's needed and lowers the risk of over-penetration.
Defense loads cost more because the bullets take more steps to make and are tested to expand through clothing and other barriers. You'll buy far fewer of them: a box or two for carry and testing, then a fresh supply every year or so.
How to choose a carry load
- Buy a defensive load from an established maker in the exact caliber of your gun.
- Fire a few boxes of it through your gun before you carry it, to make sure it feeds and ejects every time.
- Match your practice ammo's bullet weight to your carry load, so the point of impact and recoil feel the same.
- Swap out carry ammo that has been chambered over and over or exposed to moisture.
Rules that sometimes apply
Some indoor ranges don't allow steel-cased ammo or steel-core bullets, and a few places restrict hollow point ammunition. Check your range's rules and your local laws.
Ammunition is final sale at Strike Zone Arms, so buy one box to test before buying in bulk. Our returns policy has the details.
Shop by caliber
Every caliber page lists FMJ and hollow point loads together, sorted by price per round: 9mm Luger, .380 ACP, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm Auto, .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Use the filters on each page to narrow by bullet type.
Common questions
- Can I use FMJ ammo for self-defense?
- It will fire, but FMJ doesn't expand and is more likely to pass through the target. Hollow point ammo made for defense is the better choice for carry and home defense.
- Can I practice with hollow points?
- Yes, and you should fire some of your carry load to confirm it runs in your gun. Most people do the bulk of their practice with cheaper FMJ of the same bullet weight.
- How much defense ammo should I test before carrying it?
- A common rule is a few boxes, enough to see that it feeds, fires and ejects reliably in your gun and every magazine you carry.
- How often should I replace carry ammo?
- Many shooters rotate carry ammo about once a year, and sooner for rounds that have been chambered repeatedly or have gotten wet.
General information, not professional or legal advice. Always follow your firearm maker's ammunition guidance and your local laws.