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

Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp Review 1
Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp Review 1

Review: Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp

Kimber expanded its 2K11 line with the Pro Comp in 2026, providing a Commander-length slide and barrel topped by an integrated compensator.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal Bear Bolt Pro

North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, a prolific maker of AR-10 and AR-15 pattern firearms, is combining the modularity of the MSR platform with a traditional turn-bolt action with its Bear Bolt Pro.

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1854 Lorenz Jägerstutzen

The Austrian Lorenz Jägerstutzen was a unique variant of sharpshooting rifle that made it stateside during the American Civil War.

SHIELD Sights Celebrates 40 Years of Red-Dot Optics Innovation

SHIELD Sights is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of British engineering, innovation and contributions to the evolution of modern red-dot optics.

TX Maxed: The Taurus TXM in 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR

Using its TX series architecture yet again, Taurus is adding the 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR to its chambering options with the new-for-2026 TXM.

Review: Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Ammunition

Federal’s new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak takes a long-range staple even farther.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.