Engineering:Full metal jacket bullet
A full metal jacket (FMJ) bullet is a small-arms projectile consisting of a soft core (often lead) encased in an outer shell ("jacket") of harder metal, such as gilding metal, cupronickel, or, less commonly, a steel alloy. A bullet jacket generally allows for higher muzzle velocities than bare lead without depositing significant amounts of metal in the bore. It also prevents damage to bores from steel or armor-piercing core materials. In military nomenclature, it is often labeled ball ammunition.
The bullet was invented in 1882 by Swiss Colonel Eduard Rubin while he was working for the Swiss Federal Ammunition Factory and Research Center, which developed ammunition for the Swiss military.[1][2][3][4]
The use of full metal jacketing in military ammunition came about in part because of the need for improved feeding characteristics in small arms that used internal mechanical manipulation of the cartridge in order to chamber rounds as opposed to externally hand-reloading single-shot firearms.[citation needed] The harder metal used in bullet jackets was less prone to deformation than softer exposed lead, which improved feeding. It is sometimes thought that military use of FMJ ammunition was the result of The Hague Convention of 1899, Declaration III, prohibiting the use in international warfare of bullets that easily expand or flatten in the body.[citation needed] However, jacketed bullets had been in use since at least 1882, over a decade prior to the Hague Convention.
Impact characteristics
By design, fully jacketed projectiles have less capacity to expand after contact with the target than a hollow-point projectile. While this can be an advantage when engaging targets behind cover, it can also be a disadvantage as an FMJ bullet may pierce completely through a target, leading to less severe wounding, and possibly failing to disable the target. Furthermore, a projectile that goes completely through a target can cause unintentional, collateral damage downrange of the target.
Cartridges with full metal jacket bullets
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
.38 Special
.30 Carbine
.454 Casull
7.92×57mm Mauser from World War I
Mauser K98K stripper clip with 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition
Three recovered 7.62×51mm NATO FMJ tracer bullets (next to an unfired tracer cartridge), showing rifling marks
In popular culture
- The bullet design inspired the title of the film Full Metal Jacket (1987), by Stanley Kubrick, Michael Herr, and Gustav Hasford.
See also
References
- ↑ Huon, Jean (1988). Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges. Alexandria, Va.: Ironside International. ISBN 0-935554-05-X. OCLC 24498827.
- ↑ "Swiss Handguns 1882". http://www.swissrifles.com/ammo/.
- ↑ Holt Bobinson (November 2008). "The model 1911 Schmidt Rubin: the other Switzer". Guns Magazine. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_11_54/ai_n28573712/.
- ↑ Wood, J. B. (2003). The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: Centerfire Rifles, Volume 4 (2nd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. ISBN 0873496310. OCLC 52359378. https://books.google.com/books?id=Wj4UdDGBbYwC&pg=PA450. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
External links
- "Declaration (IV, 3) concerning Expanding Bullets". International Peace Conference at The Hague, which entered into force on September 4, 1900. 1899. http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/1899f.htm.
- "European Ammunition Box Translations: FAQ". http://www.rawles.to/Euro_Box_FAQ.html.
- "Photos showing terminal effects of British Mark 7 .303 bullets". http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot37.htm.
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