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

Hk G36 22Lr 1
Hk G36 22Lr 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

Due to Germany's strict firearm-export laws, along with U.S. firearm import laws, the closest any HK fan could get to owning a real G36 was in the form of the HK SL8. Now, though, Heckler & Koch has introduced its G36 .22 LR, which, profile-wise, is a G36 in all but chambering.

The Armed Citizen® July 17, 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.

Standing Strong for Colorado’s Law-Abiding Gun Owners Ahead of Critical Midterms

NRA EVP Doug Hamlin and NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford traveled to Denver this week to discuss gun rights.

A Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.