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Aplastic-tipped bullet is a type ofhollow-point bullet tipped with anose cone made ofsynthetic polymer to give it a pointedspitzer-like shape.
The plastic tip drives into the hollow point upon impact, causing the bullet to expand, which increases lethality. These bullets are typically designed for rifles and single-shot handguns, improvingaerodynamics for longer, more accurate flights. Some companies also produce such bullets forsemi-automatic pistols to improve ammunition feeding and prevent jams. The term "Ballistic Tip" is trademarked byNosler, with other companies likeHornady andSierra Bullets also producing similar bullets.
The bullets consist of a fairly normal hollow-point bullet with the frontal cavity filled in by hard plastic, which is molded into astreamlined shape. Most tips are made ofpolyoxymethylene, although some manufacturers have usedpolyesterurethane-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate)copolymer.[1]
Upon impact, the plastic drives into the hollow point and the bullet performs like a standard hollow-point, expanding ("mushrooming") to a larger diameter. These bullets possess theaerodynamics for longer, more accurate flights, and thein-target performance to ensure highlethality.
Traditionally, these bullets are intended for use inrifles and single-shot handguns, aspistols are not normally used at the great distances where the streamlined ballistic tip is advantageous. However, a few companies producepistol ammunition with plastic-tipped hollow points where the plastic is molded into a more rounded tip. These designs are not created to increase the streamlining of the bullet but rather to improve ammunition feeding insemi-automatic pistols that are prone to jams with standard hollow point ammunition. Examples of such pistol ammunition includeCor-Bon/Glaser’s "Glaser Pow'RBall" line and Extreme Shock's "NyTrilium Air Freedom" ammunition (the "NyTrilium Air Freedom" cartridge also mimics the performance ofGlaser Safety Slug cartridges, as it uses hollow bullets full of powdered metal designed to fragment rapidly on hitting a target).
"Ballistic Tip" is a registered trademark ofNosler, but numerous other companies produce similar projectiles, includingHornady[2] andSierra. Nosler uses a color code to indicate caliber on the polymer bullet tips, to make them easily distinguishable from each other: .224 orange,.257-blue, 6mm-purple, 6.5mm-tan, .270-yellow, 7mm-red, .30-green, .338-maroon and 8mm-dark blue.[3]
Notable examples include:
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