Whats the difference in FMJ bullets and TMJ bullets?

Discussion in 'General Handgun Discussion' started by Gunz05G, May 16, 2012.

  1. May 16, 2012 #1
    Gunz05G

    Gunz05G New Member

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    hey I'm new to the guns and ammo world and I jus had this question posted above. please explain to me in detail. don't forget to tell me the purpose of each one. thanks
     
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
  3. May 16, 2012 #2
    shootitout

    shootitout New Member

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    Also I know there is lead, steel and bimetal bullets what's bi mettle and are there other core types.
     
    shootitout, May 16, 2012
    shootitout, May 16, 2012

  5. May 16, 2012 #3
    c3shooter

    c3shooter Administrator Staff Member

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    FMJ- Full metal jacket- lead core is surrounded by a jacket of gilding metal (cupro-nickel alloy), but lead is exposed at base of bullet.

    TMJ- Total Metal Jacket- no exposed lead, totally enclosed core. Control of airborne lead.
     
    c3shooter, May 16, 2012
    c3shooter, May 16, 2012
  6. May 16, 2012 #4
    Gunz05G

    Gunz05G New Member

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    so what's the difference in shooting either one??
     
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
  7. May 16, 2012 #5
    c3shooter

    c3shooter Administrator Staff Member

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    TMJ has no exposed lead to be vaporized by the heat of firing. The mechanics in flight are the same.
     
    c3shooter, May 16, 2012
    c3shooter, May 16, 2012
  8. May 16, 2012 #6
    JonM

    JonM Moderator

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    A tmj is almost gauranteed not to lose its jacket on impact. It retains weight and energy the best on barrier penetration for sd use.

    Open base fmj can still suffer jacket core seperation on hard surfaces.
     
    JonM, May 16, 2012
    JonM, May 16, 2012
  9. May 16, 2012 #7
    winds-of-change

    winds-of-change The Balota's Staff Member

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    Huh. I thought FMJ was totally covered with no lead showing. I learn something new here every day. Thanks. I like TMJ because my guns don't get as dirty. :)
     
    winds-of-change, May 16, 2012
    winds-of-change, May 16, 2012
  10. May 16, 2012 #8
    Gunz05G

    Gunz05G New Member

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    so FMJ is in other words harsher on your pistol cause all the lead it leaves behind?.. and what other types of bullets are there? or do they all have lead?
     
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
    Gunz05G, May 16, 2012
  11. May 17, 2012 #9
    c3shooter

    c3shooter Administrator Staff Member

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    The concern with lead left behind is left behind in the air for you to breathe.

    The topic of bullets could be a doctoral thesis in itself. The simplest is cast lead, but even that gets into bullet shapes, lubes, what lead alloy is used, hardening of lead, etc etc.

    Once you get into partially jacketed, full jacket, partition bullets, etc, it becomes a large book.

    What specifically were you looking for?
     
    c3shooter, May 17, 2012
    c3shooter, May 17, 2012