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Posted: 11/5/2014 6:49:02 PM EDT

Is ball ammo exactly the same as FMJ?
I'm 99.9% sure it is..just wanted to make sure.

Posted: 11/5/2014 7:01:00 PM EDT

[#1]

AFAIK ball = fmj, fmj = ball.

I feel well qualified to answer stupid questions, but I'm open to correction.

Posted: 11/5/2014 7:46:24 PM EDT

[#2]

Ball is "usually" the same as FMJ.

The plated bullets on the market might be called FMJ by some, and technically this is correct, but that thin layer of copper plating is not going to act like the typical FMJ bullet.

I suppose a plain lead bullet might be properly referred to as ball, it certainly isn't FMJ.

But yes, most of the time the 2 terms are used interchangeably.

Posted: 11/5/2014 7:48:13 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ball is "usually" the same as FMJ.

The plated bullets on the market might be called FMJ by some, and technically this is correct, but that thin layer of copper plating is not going to act like the typical FMJ bullet.

I suppose a plain lead bullet might be properly referred to as ball, it certainly isn't FMJ.

But yes, most of the time the 2 terms are used interchangeably.

View Quote

Now I'm even more confused. haha.
I plan on getting winchester white box .45 FMJ.
Would this also be considered ball ammo?

I'm getting an Auto Ordnance 1911 and everyone says it prefers "ball ammo"...

Posted: 11/5/2014 7:52:47 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:

Now I'm even more confused. haha.
I plan on getting winchester white box .45 FMJ.
Would this also be considered ball ammo?

I'm getting an Auto Ordnance 1911 and everyone says it prefers "ball ammo"...

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Ball is "usually" the same as FMJ.

The plated bullets on the market might be called FMJ by some, and technically this is correct, but that thin layer of copper plating is not going to act like the typical FMJ bullet.

I suppose a plain lead bullet might be properly referred to as ball, it certainly isn't FMJ.

But yes, most of the time the 2 terms are used interchangeably.

Now I'm even more confused. haha.
I plan on getting winchester white box .45 FMJ.
Would this also be considered ball ammo?

I'm getting an Auto Ordnance 1911 and everyone says it prefers "ball ammo"...

Yes, that would be considered ball for your purposes.

As an aside, while I do not advocate FMJ for defensive purposes, if you are going to do so, please get some premium match type FMJ like Federal Gold Label or the like, and save the WWB for the range. Bulk FMJ for practice does not have the same quality control as premium JHPs or match FMJs.

Posted: 11/6/2014 11:41:23 AM EDT

[#5]

I've seen the term ball ammo used mainly when referring to Mil Spec ammo. Especially in the case of .45 ACP. Commercial ammo for the civilian market is basically the same thing, but is more often called full metal jacket.