When it comes to ammunition, both hunting and home defense have specific needs and types of ammo suited to their respective purposes. Firearms.co.za has compiled an explanation of the different types of ammo commonly used for these two applications:

Ammunition for Hunting

Hunting ammo is designed to ensure clean, humane kills while also adapting to the specific game being hunted. The types of ammunition vary based on the type of animal, rifle, and firearm being used.

Centerfire Rifle Ammunition

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): FMJ rounds have a solid lead core and are typically coated with a harder metal like copper. While these rounds are cheap and reliable, they are not ideal for hunting because they can pass through the target without expanding or causing enough damage to ensure a quick, humane kill. They are generally used for target shooting or military applications.

Soft Point (SP): Soft point ammo has a lead core with an exposed tip. This exposed tip allows the bullet to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel, which is ideal for hunting. Soft point ammo is commonly used for medium-sized game like deer.

Ballistic Tip: These bullets have a polymer tip that helps with aerodynamics and initiates the expansion of the bullet upon impact. Ballistic tips offer controlled expansion, making them highly effective for hunting small to medium-sized game, and they tend to be more accurate at long ranges compared to soft point.

Hollow Point (HP): Hollow point ammunition has a hollow cavity at the tip that causes the bullet to expand upon impact. These are often used for small to medium game, as they deliver excellent terminal performance by transferring more energy to the target and causing more tissue damage. 

Bonded or Partition Bullets: These are designed to retain most of their weight and maintain their shape even after passing through a tough hide or bone. They are often used for larger game, as they ensure deeper penetration and better reliability.

Lead-Free Ammunition: Some regions, particularly in areas with environmental concerns, require hunters to use lead-free ammunition. These are typically made with copper or other materials, providing reliable performance without the environmental risks associated with lead.

Shotgun Ammunition

Birdshot: Used for small game like birds or rabbits. Birdshot consists of many small pellets that spread upon firing. It’s ideal for flying targets.

Buckshot: Buckshot consists of larger pellets and is used for larger game such as deer. The larger size pellets provide more stopping power and are more effective at closer ranges.

Slugs: A slug is a single, large projectile fired from a shotgun. It’s ideal for larger game at moderate distances, such as deer. Slugs are often used in areas where rifle hunting is not allowed.

Ammunition for Home Defense:

For home defense, ammunition is chosen based on factors like stopping power, minimal risk of overpenetration (rounds passing through walls and hitting unintended targets), and reliability. Key types of ammo include:

Shotgun Ammunition

Buckshot: Buckshot is the most common ammunition used for home defense. It provides a good balance between stopping power and ease of use. The larger pellets of buckshot make it more effective in close-quarters combat, providing a higher chance of hitting the target.

Birdshot: While birdshot is often considered less lethal, it is still an option for home defense. It is less likely to over-penetrate through walls, making it safer in densely populated areas. However, it might not have the same stopping power as buckshot or slugs.

Slugs: Slugs are typically not used for home defense due to their high power and the potential for over-penetration. However, they can be effective in certain situations if you need to stop a threat at a longer distance.

Handgun Ammunition

Hollow Point (HP): Hollow point bullets are a popular choice for self-defense in handguns because they expand on impact, delivering maximum stopping power while reducing the likelihood of over-penetration. The expansion also causes greater tissue damage, which increases the chances of incapacitating the intruder quickly.

Frangible Ammo: Frangible rounds are designed to disintegrate upon impact with hard surfaces (such as a wall). These rounds are ideal for home defense because they are less likely to cause collateral damage. They are designed to minimize over-penetration while still providing reliable performance for stopping a threat.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): FMJ ammo is less ideal for home defense because it can pass through the target and continue on, potentially causing unintended harm. It is often used for practice rather than self-defense.

Rifle Ammunition

Soft Point (SP) and Hollow Point (HP): Similar to handgun ammunition, these types of ammo are used in rifles for home defense. They offer controlled expansion, reducing the risk of over-penetration compared to FMJ, while still delivering effective stopping power. However, rifles are generally less commonly used for home defense due to their high power and longer ranges.