Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ Review

First Impressions of Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ

After a decade plus of navigating the tactical and outdoor gear world, one thing remains constant: the critical importance of reliable ammunition. Specifically, for high-volume training, practice, and even certain tactical applications, full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds are the bread and butter. Hornady is a name synonymous with quality and precision in the ammunition world, and when the need arose to restock my supply of .30 caliber FMJ bullets for reloading, the Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ became the prime candidate.

My main concern was finding a consistent and accurate FMJ bullet that wouldn’t break the bank, especially when purchasing in bulk. I was looking for a bullet suitable for general range practice, function testing various .30 caliber rifles, and developing reliable loads for a variety of scenarios. The alternatives considered were the Sierra FMJ bullets and the Nosler FMJ bullets, but ultimately, the reputation of Hornady for quality control and the reported performance of their AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) bullet jacket swayed my decision. The promise of minimal concentricity variation and consistent weight resonated deeply with my experience in handloading.

Opening the box containing 2100 bullets, the first thing that struck me was the uniformity. There were no visible imperfections, dents, or inconsistencies in the bullet jackets, a testament to Hornady’s commitment to quality. Initially, I was excited and hopeful. I’d always had excellent results with Hornady products in the past.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ to the Test

First Use Experience

The initial testing took place at my local shooting range, utilizing a .30-06 Springfield rifle and a .308 Winchester rifle. The goal was to assess the bullet’s consistency in handloads across different rifle platforms and verify initial accuracy. I tested the loads in dry, sunny conditions.

The bullets loaded easily, and the consistent dimensions made seating depth uniform across the board. There were no noticeable issues during the reloading process. However, the first time on the range, I did notice some flyers, which were unexpected, and were followed up with careful adjustments in my reloading process, confirming that the bullets were the sole issue.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months and thousands of rounds, the Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ have proven to be generally reliable, but with notable limitations. The jacket consistency remains impressive. However, I have observed a larger variance in accuracy than expected, particularly at longer ranges (beyond 200 yards).

Durability of the bullet itself is not really a factor, as these are projectiles that are designed to be single-use, and the only wear and tear comes in the process of loading, firing, and impacting the target. Maintenance is not required for the bullets themselves, but consistent cleaning of the reloading dies is crucial to maintain consistent seating and crimping. Compared to my previous experience with Sierra MatchKing bullets, the Hornady FMJ bullets are noticeably less accurate, but considerably cheaper.

Breaking Down the Features of Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ

Specifications

• Caliber: .30 Caliber (.308 diameter). This is a standard and versatile caliber suitable for a wide range of rifles chambered in .30-06, .308 Winchester, .300 Win Mag, and similar cartridges.
• Weight: 150 grain. A common bullet weight for .30 caliber rifles, offering a good balance between velocity and energy transfer for various applications.
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). The FMJ design provides reliable feeding in semi-automatic and automatic rifles, reducing the risk of malfunctions due to exposed lead.
• Jacket Material: Full Metal. This provides structural integrity to the bullet.
• G1 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.398. This indicates how well the bullet resists air drag; a higher BC generally translates to flatter trajectories and better performance at longer ranges.
• Sectional Density: 0.226. This helps determine how well a bullet penetrates a target.
• Bullet Quantity: 2100 Bullets. A bulk quantity that’s ideal for high-volume shooters or reloaders seeking to minimize costs.
• AMP Bullet Jacket (Advanced Manufacturing Process): Hornady’s proprietary process ensuring minimal concentricity and wall thickness variation, leading to enhanced accuracy and consistent performance.

These specifications translate to a bullet that is well-suited for general purpose shooting, training, and function testing. The 150-grain weight is a good all-around choice for many .30 caliber rifles. The Full Metal Jacket design ensures reliable feeding and prevents excessive lead fouling in the barrel.

Performance & Functionality

The Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ performs adequately for its intended purpose: high-volume shooting and training. Reliability in feeding and extraction is excellent across various rifle platforms. Accuracy is acceptable for practice, generally producing 2-3 MOA (minute of angle) groups at 100 yards with carefully developed loads.

The main strength is the consistent jacket and reliable feeding. However, the primary weakness is the somewhat inconsistent accuracy compared to more premium bullets like Sierra MatchKings. It meets expectations for a general-purpose FMJ bullet but falls short of match-grade accuracy.

Design & Ergonomics

The Hornady FMJ bullets feature a standard FMJ design with a boat-tail base. The build quality is good, with consistent jacket thickness and a smooth finish. The bullets are easy to handle and seat during the reloading process, with no sharp edges or inconsistencies that could cause issues.

The bullets are relatively user-friendly for reloaders, requiring no special tools or techniques. The consistent dimensions simplify the loading process and contribute to more uniform results.

Durability & Maintenance

As projectiles, these bullets are not subject to wear and tear in the traditional sense. However, the jacket integrity is crucial for proper performance. The Hornady AMP jacket appears to be robust and resists deformation during handling and loading.

Maintenance primarily involves keeping reloading dies clean and ensuring proper seating and crimping. The bullets themselves require no special maintenance.

Accessories and Customization Options

These are bullets intended for reloading, so accessories are limited to reloading equipment such as dies, powder, primers, and cases. The Hornady FMJ bullets are compatible with a wide range of reloading dies and equipment from various brands. There are no bullet-specific customization options available.

Pros and Cons of Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ

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Who Should Buy Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ?

The Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ are perfect for reloaders who engage in high-volume shooting, need reliable ammunition for practice, or require FMJ bullets for function testing and load development. They are also suitable for shooters who prioritize affordability over match-grade accuracy.

Competitive shooters and those seeking maximum accuracy at long ranges should skip this product and opt for match-grade bullets.

A must-have accessory is a high-quality set of reloading dies specifically designed for .30 caliber rifles.

Conclusion on Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ

The Hornady FMJ Rifle Bullets, .30 Caliber, 150 grain, Full Metal Jacket FMJ are a solid choice for reloaders seeking reliable and affordable FMJ bullets for general-purpose shooting. While not match-grade accurate, they offer consistent performance and excellent feeding reliability.

The price is justified for those needing bulk quantities of FMJ bullets for high-volume training and practice.

I would recommend these bullets to reloaders who understand their limitations and prioritize affordability and reliability over pinpoint accuracy.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution for stocking up on .30 caliber FMJ bullets, give Hornady FMJ a try, but remember to manage your expectations regarding accuracy.