Will full metal jacket rifle bullets stay together?

[forest341]

Does the core get separated too easy and punched out at the open base?
Is it even possible to know what these bullets do on impact, without just speculating?

[nutcase]

I have been wondering if during these times of not being able to find my favorite load components, if I bought some available FMJ 30 caliber bullets to get me thru the next couple of matches, would they hold together long enough at impact to be reliable for toppling the rams? There are lots of shooters who use real thin jacketed match bullets which are not very tough like hunting bullets, so if a match bullet works, wouldn't a FMJ? Or does the core get separated too easy and punched out at the open base? Is it even possible to know what these bullets do on impact, without just speculating?

FMJ bullets will work fine. Just do not use any Penetrator bullets! (they have the steel core)

[Chuck40]

Yes! I shot some 123 gr. 6.5 mm FMJs last match, and they did great. Accurate as well.

[aggshooter]

What Dan said, +1
If you're using milsurp bullets, stick a magnet on it. If it sticks, you may risk target damage.

[gunguy]

there was a study done years ago that showed fmj bullets actually have more dwell time on a steel target than softpoints. I can confirm this too in my own experience as a used sierra 130 matchkings in my 7 tcu for years. when i ran out and couldnt find i found speer 130 btsp. I never remember ringing a ram with the match kings but have rung several rams with the softpoints. I shot a match yeaserday and rung a ram. same powder charge for each bullet