FMJ rifle ammo not allowed at some ranges?

[john5036]

I'm not privy to the ways of the rifle man yet, so I'm not familiar with the reasoning that some rifle ranges employ regarding rifle ammunition FMJ. The rifle ranges here in Dallas-Ft.Worth are usually outdoor, with a few indoors here and there, but I've not visited those.

I hope that anyone who owns/operates a range and employs this rule can explain the reasoning behind it. This is not a disgruntled visitor who got turned away because of his FMJ, so I'm not looking for a fight or to raise a gripe. I simply am uninformed to the magnet trick to detect FMJ, which I'm guessing is steel-core related? If so, are all FMJ like that? Reason I ask is that I've seen FMJ that don't get denied use, is that because it's a target/plinking designated round?

It just seems there is some ambiguity regarding which FMJ is allowed, not allowed... or the rifle ranges I've visited just don't enforce it all the time.

The only reason I'm aware of is that the dirt berm, or the bullet trap is not designed to handle certain types of FMJ ammo, and to generally put out "NO FMJ allowed" has me questioning what exactly can I shoot at a rifle range that ISN'T the more expensive hunting round, hollow-point, etc...?

 

[unwise11]

Silver Bear softpoints, or hollowpoints.

 

[Hanzo581]

I've never seen a range that doesn't let you shoot FMJ practice/range ammo, that seems nonsensical.

 

[smurfman]

It is not FMJ per se that they object to but steel jacketed/steel penetrator FMJ bullets often found in surplus military ammo. The latter do a number on the metal backstops used in most indoor ranges and some outdoor ranges. These styles of bullets can also cause some ricochet problems as they do not break up as easily on dirt backstops.
As it can be difficult for knowledgeable persons to tell the difference between these rounds and lead core FMJ bullets, especially if loose as in surplus or previously opened boxes, the range makes it easy for the staff by banning all FMJ. Some ranges will allow the "house" FMJ ammo to be used as the range knows it is of an acceptable construction and may allow unopened boxes of commercial civilian ammo upon inspection. The best bet would be to ask the particular range the reason for their ban and if there are any FMJ lines they allow.

 

[Smokey Joe]

You nailed it!!

John 5036--You said

I simply am uninformed to the magnet trick to detect FMJ, which I'm guessing is steel-core related?

and that's the key right there! It's not the FMJ to which a range has objections, it's the steel core of the bullet.

Steel-core bullets will go through a lot more backstop than bullets of softer material, and keep right on going. Possibly right through the backstop. No range wants the liability of that, so they ban the ammo that might do it.

The indoor range I frequent in inclement weather has that policy, and they just check the ammo in question with a magnet, and if the magnet doesn't attract a given bullet, it's allowed.

 

[john5036]

I've never seen a range that doesn't let you shoot FMJ practice/range ammo, that seems nonsensical.

Well, that's part of the question I have. I know that certain FMJ rounds are target/practice ammo. Are they constructed different than other FMJs and otherwise behave differently and not detected by the magnet?

 

[Phaethon]

The outdoor range that I frequent near Garland, Texas prohibits use of FMJ rounds - steel core or not. Comparing the construction of their backstop to the government funded one here in Florida, I can understand why.

There's just a greater likelihood that FMJ and Steel-core rounds will sail right through the backstop and keep on going.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

FMJ: copper alloy jacket (sometimes plating) over a lead bullet; non magnetic. This is generally not a problem. Steel bullet jackets and/or cores are a problem for the backstop materials used at many ranges. When the range personnel test the bullet (not the case) with a magnet, this is what they are looking for.

 

[Hanzo581]

Ah so it's the core we are talking about here, makes sense not allowing steel core.

 

[john5036]

Okay, so in summation: Lead FMJ are most likely allowable. FMJ not allowed is in fact, a generalized NO for liability purposes and to cover legalese.

It's what I suspected, but I just didn't know for sure and I know that the fine members of THR would come through. I appreciate all the answers, and now I know what to look for.

 

[22-rimfire]

If you have never shot amor piercing ammunition into steel plate, it is certainly an education. I was really amazed at the penetration of 30-06 rounds actually burning a hole thorugh 1/2" steel plate.

 

[lmccrock]

There is an outdoor range outside of Austin which says "no FMJ rifle ammo", and that includes copper jacketed lead bullets. I forget why, but it might be ricochets and FMJ more likely to skip out than hollow point. I have some Silver Bear 223 hollow point (copper washed steel jacket) that attracts a magnet, and it would be allowed there.

So if they say "no FMJ" ask if that also means "no steel jackets" as well.

Any backstop that passes steel jacketed ammo should be shutdown because it is about to start passing copper jacketed as well. Steel cored or AP, well ok, but steel jackets should be stopped by any backstop. Yes, it is fun to shoot AP ammo at plates. A buddy brought some scrap from work once, and we a good time trying all kinds of ammo. M855 went through a 1/2" plate, and stopped at the 2nd. 30-06 AP went through both layers of 1/2" plate.

 

[DougW]

The only range that I know of in the DFW area that allows FMJ is Gibson's Outpost (have fun there!). Quail Creek, Garland, and Luna Road do not allow any type of FMJ. Ricochet is the reason. Back Woods and McKinney (both closed down) did not allow FMJ. SP or HP's only. If you are caught with FMJ at Garland you will be banned from the range.

 

[Don357]

The "GunPort" in Coden AL, has also adopted the "NO FMJ AMMO" rule. Partially because they want you to but their "range ammo" (their own reloads), and possibly because their backstop is a wooded area between the range and a waterfront bay. Which dasen't rerally make sense, as the same rule applies to the 100yd and 400yd ranges. 200+ yds of standing timber SHOULD stop most any bullet.

 

[M1key]

Most Russian imported ammo (rifle and pistol) is loaded with BI-METAL bullets...Wolf, the "Bears", Sapsan, Ulyanovsk, Tula, etc.

Lead core, soft STEEL jacket, copper jacket over that. Tends to "spark" when it ricochettes off concrete and steel, and can cause fires in the backstop material.

M

 

[armorplate]

DougW, I spent some hours at the Back Woods range. Haven't been in North Dallas since 2006. With all the housing projects going up in that area, I am not surprised they couldn't compete with the urban development.

armorplate

 

[Zerodefect]

Why not just improve the backstop?

If the difference between FMJ and Lead is enough to make them sweat then they are really cutting it close. That's one weak backstop. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. Get a darn backhoe and build up that backstop.

If steel core ammo even comes close to going through the backstop, then that stop is way too pathetic to be safe with regular ammo.

I'd just leave and not shoot there anymore. Lifes too short to put up with lame ranges.



What is acceptable is a range hanging a neodymium donut magnut up near the rule board if they are worried about steel target, popper, mover, etc., damage . But the berm should swallow anything.