Can You Name These Bullets?

by
posted on June 10, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bullet_boom-box.jpg

Today’s high-performance, self-defense bullet technology is a modern alchemy … of sorts. Yes, it’s all based on real science, but it’s hard to refute the fact those engineers are changing lead (or other materials), into an accurate, weight-retaining and reliably expanding projectile with mythically golden properties at a full spectrum of velocities.

Explaining the advantages to a new shooter is a challenge for instructors and storeowners, one often addressed with photographs or a rogue sample or two. There’s a solution, now, thanks to the new Bullet Bouquets Boom Box. The kit’s advantages are obviously, particularly for concealed-carry instructors.

Just for fun, though, can you match the name of the bullet and manufacturer included to each of the expanded (upset) bullets? Calibers include 9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, and the answers available are Speer Gold Dot, Federal Hydra-Shok, Sig Sauer V-Crown, Hornady XTP and Barnes TAC-XPD. (Careful, answers are at bottom.) If nothing else, the up-close-and-personal image of each highlights subtle differences in each company’s secret formula.

1. 2.     3. 


4.    5. 









Answers:
1. Barnes TAC-XPD
2. Federal HydraShok
3. Hornady XTP
4. SIG V-Crown
5. Speer Gold Dot

Latest

Primary Weapons System UXR
Primary Weapons System UXR

Review: Primary Weapons System UXR

What if you wanted to have more than one caliber in a single rifle? The Primary Weapons System UXR rifle is the answer, and it takes caliber-interchangeability to the next level.

Holosun Rolls Out New 407, 507 Handgun Optics

New for 2026, Holosun is releasing new versions of two of its most popular handgun optics with the 407 Comp, 407C-X3, 507C-X3 and 507-Promax.

The Armed Citizen® March 2, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Nation's Oldest Gun Club Turns 150

The oldest continuously operating rifle club in the United States, the Newport Rifle Club (NRC) near Middletown, R.I., is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.

Preview: Antimatter Industries Scopeswitch 2.0

This new made-in-USA riflescope mount from Antimatter Industries changes how shooters engage targets.

Tension Destroys Your Shooting Performance. Here's How to Manage It.

Whether you’re managing a lethal-force encounter, running a stage in competition or working a timed drill from concealment, performance shooting reigns king, and one of the most brutal and insidious king-slayers of all time is self-induced tension.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.