Bullets & Projectiles

For handloaders, the bullet is where accuracy, terminal performance, and cost all get decided — the powder charge and primer matter, but the projectile is what actually determines how the round performs downrange. Extreme Reloading stocks bullets and projectiles from the major component manufacturers across common calibers and weights, in stock and shipping in 24 hours from a veteran-owned shop.

Bullet construction: FMJ, JHP, and bonded/monolithic

Full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are the standard for target and practice loads — consistent, affordable, and not designed to expand. Jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets are built to expand on impact, standard for defensive and hunting loads where terminal performance matters. Bonded bullets (jacket chemically bonded to the core) and monolithic (solid copper, no separate jacket) construction resist fragmenting on heavy bone or at high velocity, favored for larger game or deep-penetration needs. Match construction to purpose — a target load doesn't need JHP performance, and a hunting load built on FMJ construction won't expand the way most game hunting calls for.

Weight and your specific rifle's twist rate

Bullet weight (measured in grains) needs to match your barrel's twist rate to stabilize properly in flight — a barrel cut for lighter, shorter bullets can fail to stabilize a longer, heavier bullet at the same caliber, and vice versa. Check your rifle's twist rate (often stamped on the barrel or in the owner's manual) before selecting a bullet weight outside the range your platform was designed around.

Match to your load data

Bullet weight and profile directly affect the powder charge in any load recipe — swapping bullet brands or weights without re-checking your load data (from a current manual or the powder manufacturer's published data) risks pressure that's meaningfully different from what was tested, even at the "same" charge weight. Treat a bullet swap as a reason to re-verify your load, not just a component substitution.

Ballistic coefficient and long-range shooting

Ballistic coefficient (BC) describes how well a bullet resists wind drift and velocity loss over distance — a higher BC bullet holds velocity and resists drift better at range, which matters for long-range precision shooting more than it does for typical hunting or defensive distances. Match bullet selection to your actual shooting distances rather than defaulting to the highest-BC option available, which often trades off other characteristics.

Brands we carry

Hornady across their full bullet lineup, Berger Bullets for match/long-range precision projectiles, Nosler and Barnes for hunting and premium bonded/monolithic bullets, plus Sierra Bullets and Speer. Filter by manufacturer on this page to find bullets for your specific caliber and load.

Frequently asked questions

Can I substitute one brand's bullet for another at the same weight in a published load? Not safely without re-checking data — bullet profile, jacket material, and bearing surface all affect pressure even at identical weight, so always verify against current published data for the specific bullet you're using.

What's the difference between match bullets and hunting bullets? Match bullets are optimized purely for accuracy and consistency at the target, without regard to terminal expansion; hunting bullets are built to expand reliably and retain weight on impact. Using a match bullet for hunting means it may not perform the way a hunting-specific bullet would on game.

Do I need a different bullet for cold weather? Bullet selection itself doesn't typically change with temperature, but powder burn rate and pressure can shift with cold weather — reference your load manual's temperature notes if you're loading and shooting across a wide seasonal range.

Not sure which bullet fits your caliber and application? Reach out — we're happy to help you find the right projectile for your load.