What is "ball" ammo?

[runway1]

...and is it good for target shooting beyong 400yds?

[sequoia_nomad]

Ball ammo is typical round nose fmj. Not good for defense. As for 400 yards, I'll leave that to the pros here.

[Bill Steele]

In the military, "Ball" refers to normal use ammo, that is, not special use like tracers, etc.

[popeye4]

In the military, "Ball" refers to normal use ammo, that is, not special use like tracers, etc.

It is the standard full metal jacket bullet (as required by one of the Geneva Conventions). Most likely not built to match/accuracy standards. The grunts get it, not the snipers (or military competition teams).

[Bill Steele]

I think Ball goes back to the days when balls were the projectiles.

It is the standard full metal jacket bullet (as required by one of the Geneva Conventions). Most likely not built to match/accuracy standards. The grunts get it, not the snipers (or military competition teams).

I think most people refer to "Ball" as FMJ, but I don't think the military limits the "Ball" designation to FMJ. I think the newer M118 long range sniper ammo is referred to as "Ball" (as it is not a tracer, incendiary, armor piercing, etc.), but it uses the SMK 175 HPBT bullet, as one example.

[Fjold]

The term "Ball" comes from the blackpowder days when muskets were charged with either "Buck" (shot) or "Ball". Over the years the term has stayed with the military to mean a single projectile of military issue (usually FMJ).

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

this again....
full metal jacket http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_ammunition

[popeye4]

I think most people refer to "Ball" as FMJ, but I don't think the military limits the "Ball" designation to FMJ. I think the newer M118 long range sniper ammo is referred to as "Ball" (as it is not a tracer, incendiary, armor piercing, etc.), but it uses the SMK 175 HPBT bullet, as one example.

I think that load is for competition. Aren't snipers also bound by the Geneva Conventions (they can't use hollow points in combat)?

[RugerNo1]

I think that load is for competition. Aren't snipers also bound by the Geneva Conventions (they can't use hollow points in combat)?

They call it Open Tip Match (OTM). Geneva says something about "aiding in expansion" (or some such wording, been years since I bothered to read it), but the SMKs are not of that type of "hollow point".

[bruceflinch]

this again....
full metal jacket http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_ammunition

I love that smilie!

[locosway]

Ball ammo is typical round nose fmj. Not good for defense. As for 400 yards, I'll leave that to the pros here.

Maybe not the best choice in a 9mm, but if we're talking .50BMG I see no reason why ball would not work.