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Course Outline

It's critical to select the correct cartridge for your handgun.

  • Bullets used in handgun cartridges come in various designs, sizes, and weights. The bullet usually is made of lead and may have a jacket made of copper, brass, or another metal.
    • Bullets used for hunting, law enforcement, or personal defense may have soft or hollow points designed to expand (mushroom) upon impact.
    • Bullets used for target shooting usually have flat or solid points that make a clean hole in paper.
  • Common types of handgun bullets are roundnose lead, wad cutter, semi-wad cutter, full metal jacket, and hollowpoint.
Handgun ammunition types
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