Solid versus full metal jacket bullets

[Rare Breed]

Please explain the difference in a solid versus a full metal jacket bullet

 

[mdwest]

FMJ has a core, typically made of lead, that is encased in a jacket of copper or other metal. Many FMJs don’t completely cover the lead core. You can look at the base of the projectile and see lead. The top and sides of the projectile will be covered though.

A solid is a single solid metallic projectile. Most often copper or brass, but other alloys are sometimes used. There is no lead core like an FMJ or there is a much thinner lead core...

 

[ChrisG]

A solid is a bullet which is designed for breaking heavy bones. This may technically be an FMJ or it may be a solid brass projectile. A FMJ has a very thin jacket encapsulating the lead core to simply ensure feeding reliability and protection of the core the first image is a 300 grain .375 hornady DGS solid and a .458 hornady FMJ 500 grain Solid. These are technically FMJ but their jackets are very heavy and rigid
The bottom picture is a 6.5mm fmj which simply has a thin sheath around the core. Note the very heavy jackets on the solids. The DGS looks to be about 1/16" thick and is made of mild steel. The .458 is probably 3/32" thick and has a solid cap "encapsulating" it in an effort to keep the lead core from squishing out like toothpaste on impact. Even these sometimes rivet on impact with heavy bone so monolithics are preferred.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

A solid... No lead nowhere no how... This one happens to be a 325 grain brass solid by Cutting Edge.

 

[ChrisG]

A solid... No lead nowhere no how... This one happens to be a 325 grain brass solid by Cutting Edge.

I think the term solid was a british term simply referring to any heavy jacketed fmj designed for dangerous game hunting. The hornady solids in the pictue above definitly have hardened lead cores but they are wayyy tougher than an ordinary fmj.

But you are correct. A monometal solid is most definitely SOLID!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I think the term solid was a british term simply referring to any heavy jacketed fmj designed for dangerous game hunting. The hornady solids in the pictue above definitly have hardened lead cores but they are wayyy tougher than an ordinary fmj.

But you are correct. A monometal solid is most definitely SOLID!

Thanks. In my defense... I just rolled off the couch after a rather heavy afternoon nap.

 

[ChrisG]

Thanks. In my defense... I just rolled off the couch after a rather heavy afternoon nap.

Fully understandable!

 

[Rare Breed]

So if I wanted a solid for my second shot on buffalo could I use a fmj

 

[mdwest]

No...

The jacket on the FMJ is thin.. the bullet will deform if it hits really hard matter like a shoulder bone, and can be deflected off of its path..

A well made solid wont deform to any degree and will maintain a straight line path through the animal...

The other issue is most FMJ are round nose (better feeding).. which also subjects them to potentially being deflected..

Many solids are flat points.. and much less likely to deflect by design..

 

[ChrisG]

So if I wanted a solid for my second shot on buffalo could I use a fmj

No. A bullet marketed as a solid is wayy tougher than a FMJ. A FMJ will likley crumple like it was made of tin foil when hitting heavy bone, then veer off course. Early smokeless African hunters learned that a standard FMJ was a poor choice and got some of them killed. It is unlikely you will find a standard FMJ in most Safari calibers. Hornady DGS, Swift breakaway solids and woodleigh solids all have heavy duty jackets made to stand up with a hardened lead core. But as mentioned above, a monometal solid like a woodleigh hydro, barnes solid or CEB solids hold up better and are much tougher.

 

[Rare Breed]

Got it. Thanks my friends!!!

 

[Rare Breed]

Can’t find the first solid for sale anywhere in 450-400

 

[ChrisG]

Can’t find the first solid for sale anywhere in 450-400

Can I assume this is for a double? Hornady does make a .410 DGS. if it is for a single shot, CEB has 350 grain solids in stock

Rifle Bullets

Monolithic, solid copper and brass lathe-turned bullets for hunting and match use. Our bullets are the #1 used bullet in extreme long-range shooting competitions. Whether you're hunting or competing, we have a bullet line to suit your needs.

cuttingedgebullets.com

Or are you looking for loaded ammo. If you find .450-400 "FMJ" I would take a leap that it is a solid, if it loaded by a decent company. Unless it is loaded by like Prvi Partisan then it is likely to be a cheap FMJ.

If you need loaded ammo, contact these guys if you dont handload:

About — Safari Arms, Ltd.

www.safariarms.com

 

[Red Leg]

Or better yet, not use one at all. I only load premium softs (currently A-Frames) when hunting buffalo with either a magazine rifle or double. Elephant and the tiny ten are a different story.

 

[BeeMaa]

Or better yet, not use one at all. I only load premium softs (currently A-Frames) when hunting buffalo with either a magazine rifle or double. Elephant and the tiny ten are a different story.

+1

@Rare Breed - Talk to your PH about what he would recommend. Most of the PH's I've spoken with in the past few years recommend premium softs (Swift A-Frame, Barnes TSX, Norma Oryx & TBBC) for clients hunting DG with the exception of Elephant. Taking 10 monolithic solids with you for insurance is up to you. They can be used for hunting the T10 (one gun safari) or if your PH tells you to load them. Best to default to what the Professional Hunter suggests.

 

[Hallgeir Gravråk]

This as a DGX bullet.

500 grs Barnes Solid in cal 470 NE after entering the tailroot, and recovered in the skin in the chest, on the buffalo, cutting the big venes on the top of the hart.
I think this bullets also will kill a 6,5 litre V8 engine as well

 

[Surgeon1]

The barns bullets are hard on doubles IMHO

 

[ChrisG]

Found he DGS rounds:

GunBroker.com - Error

 

[Rare Breed]

Thanks ChrisG but just looking for solid bullets for my 450-400 given I reload

 

[ChrisG]

Thanks ChrisG but just looking for solid bullets for my 450-400 given I reload

Oh gotcha. Well here are just the bullets. 50 bucks

GunBroker.com - Error