plastictipped

Plastictipped is a term used to describe rifle bullets that include a polymer tip on the nose. The tip, typically made from a durable plastic such as nylon or polycarbonate, serves to streamline the nose for improved aerodynamics and to protect the interior core and jacket during handling and seating. By reducing tip deformation in the bore, plastictipped designs can improve the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and yield a flatter, more consistent trajectory at longer ranges.

In many plastictipped bullets, the polymer tip is part of a hollow-point or soft-point design. The tip helps promote reliable expansion on impact by maintaining a sharp, uniform nose and guiding the jacket’s opening. Depending on the specific construction, the tip may be displaced or consumed during expansion, enabling the desired terminal performance without compromising accuracy.

Plastictipped bullets are widely marketed for hunting and precision shooting. Notable examples include the Nosler Ballistic Tip and Hornady Ballistic Tip lines, along with various other brands that offer polymer-tipped designs across hunting and varmint categories.

History and usage: The concept emerged in the late 20th century and became widely adopted in the 1990s and 2000s as manufacturers sought to combine high ballistic coefficients with controlled expansion for terminal performance.

Regulation and safety: Plastictipped bullets are not armor-piercing and are generally legal where centerfire rifle ammunition is permitted, subject to local hunting and firearms regulations. Some jurisdictions may restrict certain bullet types for specific game, but polymer-tipped designs are not inherently prohibited beyond standard rules.