Ammo Glossary

A bullet construction in which the entire projectile — including the base — is fully encased in a copper jacket. Unlike FMJ, TMJ leaves no exposed lead anywhere on the bullet. This prevents lead base vaporization when the propellant ignites, dramatically reducing airborne lead exposure at the point of discharge. TMJ is the preferred construction for indoor ranges and for shooters concerned about occupational or recreational lead exposure. All EcoBullet 9mm products use TMJ construction.

A bullet construction where the lead core is jacketed on the nose and sides but the base remains exposed. FMJ is the most common training ammunition type. When fired, the hot propellant gases contact the exposed lead base, vaporizing a small amount of lead into the air. While FMJ is safe for outdoor use, it is less ideal than TMJ for enclosed indoor ranges where ventilation may not fully clear airborne lead. EcoBullet uses TMJ instead of FMJ for all 9mm products.

A Federal Firearms Licensee is a business or individual licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to engage in the commercial sale, manufacture, or transfer of firearms and, in some cases, ammunition. In states that restrict direct-to-consumer ammo shipping (CA, MA, NY, NJ, CT, IL, HI), online ammo purchases must be transferred through a local FFL dealer. The FFL processes the transfer and releases the ammo to the buyer after verifying eligibility. Use EcoBullet's FFL Finder to locate a dealer.

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) refers to the practice of shipping ammunition directly from the manufacturer or retailer to the end buyer's home address, without routing through a physical gun store or FFL intermediary. DTC is legal in most US states. States that restrict DTC ammo shipping include California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, and Hawaii. In these states, ammo must be received and transferred by a licensed FFL dealer.

Cost Per Round is the standard unit price metric used to compare ammunition value across different box sizes, brands, and calibers. It is calculated as: Box Price ÷ Round Count = CPR. For example, a 50-round box at $19.99 yields a CPR of $0.40. Because ammo is sold in various quantities (20, 50, 100, 200+ round boxes), CPR is the most honest comparison metric. Always compare CPR — not box price — when evaluating ammo value.

SAAMI (pronounced "sammy") is the US standards body that sets technical specifications for firearms and ammunition. SAAMI specs define maximum pressure, case dimensions, primer specifications, and velocity standards for each caliber. All EcoBullet ammunition is loaded to SAAMI specifications, ensuring compatibility with any firearm chambered for the respective caliber. SAAMI-compliant ammo is safe to use in any SAAMI-spec firearm.

A subsonic round travels below the speed of sound (~1,125 fps at sea level). Subsonic ammunition is primarily used with suppressors (silencers), since a bullet breaking the sound barrier creates a supersonic crack that a suppressor cannot reduce. Subsonic 300 Blackout (like EcoBullet Shadow, 220gr) is specifically designed for suppressed fire — heavy grain weight, slower velocity, minimal sound signature. Subsonic rounds have more drop at distance, so they are best suited for close-range and mid-range applications.

Lead-free (or lead-safe) ammunition reduces or eliminates lead compounds throughout the round. This includes: (1) Lead-free primers — primers formulated without lead styphnate, which is a significant source of airborne lead during firing; (2) TMJ or jacketed construction — fully encasing the lead core to prevent base vaporization; and (3) Lead-free projectiles — entirely replacing the lead core with alternative materials like bismuth or copper. EcoBullet uses lead-free primers and TMJ construction. This makes our ammo significantly cleaner than standard FMJ for indoor shooting environments.

The brass case is the cylindrical container that holds the primer, propellant powder, and bullet. It is made from a copper-zinc alloy ("brass") chosen for its ability to expand and seal the chamber during firing, then spring back for reliable extraction. EcoBullet uses recycled brass cases — cases that have been previously fired, collected, inspected, sized, trimmed, and reprocessed to spec. Recycled brass reduces the energy and raw materials needed versus smelting virgin alloy, contributing to our sustainability mission. Our brass is fully reloadable.

A cannelure is a circumferential groove crimped or rolled into the bullet's jacket. It serves two functions: (1) It provides a mechanical locking point where the brass case mouth is crimped into the groove during assembly, preventing the bullet from being pushed deeper into the case under feeding pressure; (2) It can act as a lubricating groove in some bullet designs. Most TMJ and FMJ training bullets include a cannelure. Its presence ensures consistent overall cartridge length (OAL) and reliable function in semi-automatic firearms.

The ogive (pronounced "oh-jive") is the curved, tapered forward section of a bullet — the part that transitions from the cylindrical body to the point. The ogive shape affects how the bullet engages the rifling, how it feeds from the magazine into the chamber, and its ballistic coefficient (drag). Spitzer (pointed) ogives like those on .223 Rem are designed for long-range flat trajectories. Round-nose ogives on heavier 9mm and .300 BLK subsonic bullets prioritize reliable feeding and terminal performance at shorter ranges.

A VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) is a business where a US military veteran holds majority ownership (51%+) and controls day-to-day operations. VOSBs may qualify for preferential treatment in federal contracting and certain small business programs. EcoBullet is a veteran-owned small business founded and operated by a US veteran in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When you buy EcoBullet, you support veteran entrepreneurship and a business built on military values of precision, discipline, and accountability.