Ammunition Guide

It is important that your personal body armour is capable of defeating your own weapon.
The following is a guide to which N.I.J. threat level will defeat factory manufactured ammunition.
NIJ Threat Level
Bullet Type
Barrel Length
(in)
FPS
MPS
Level I
.22 Cal. 40 gr. LR
6
1050
320
.25 Cal. Auto 50 gr. FMJ
2
810
247
.32 Cal. Auto 71 gr. FMJ
4
905
276
.38 Cal. Auto 88 gr. JHP
4
990
302
.38 Cal. Special 158 gr. LRN
6
850
259
.38 Cal. Special 158 gr. LSWC
6
850
259
Test Calibres:
.22 cal LR - 40 gr lead solid travelling between 1400fps and 1450 fps
38 Special - 158 gr lead round nose travelling between 850 fps and 900 fps
Protects against all ammunition listed. Meets N.I.J. Std 0101.03 for Level I Armour including Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma). .22 LR 40 gr at 1050 fps, .38 Special Lead 158 gr at 850 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Level IIA
.22 Mag 40 gr. FMJ
4 ½
1180
360
.38 Cal. Special 125 gr. SJHP+P
6
1028
314
.38 Cal. Special 158 gr. Lead+P
6
1090
332
.38 Cal. Special 110 r. JHP+P
6
1235
377
.45 Cal. Auto 230 gr. FMJ
5
810
245
.357 Mag. 158 gr. JSP
4
1250
381
.357 Mag. 158 gr. LRN
4
1250
381
.357 Mag. 158 gr. LSWC
4
1250
381
.41 Mag. 210 gr. LSWC
4
965
294
9 mm 95 gr. JSP
4
1250
381
9 mm 100 gr. JHP
4
1250
381
9 mm 124 gr. FMJ
4
1090
332
9 mm 115 gr. JHP
4
1160
354
9 mm 147 gr. Subsonic JHP
5
1060
323
9 mm 147 gr. Jacket Hydra Shock
5
1050
320
10 mm 170 gr. JHP
5
1175
358
10 mm 200 gr. FMJTC
5
1175
358
Test Calibres:
9 mm 124 gr full metal jacket (FMJ) travelling between 1090 fps and 1140 fps.
357 magnum - 158 gr jacketed soft point (JSP) travelling between 1250 fps and 1300 fps
Protects against all Level I as well as all ammunition listed. Meets N.I.J. Std 0101.03 for Level IIA Armour including Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma) .357 Magnum JSP 158 gr at 1250 fps, 9 mm FMJ 124 gr at 1090 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Level II
.41 Mag. 210 gr. JSP
4
1300
396
.44 Mag. 240 gr. JSP
4
1180
360
.44 Mag. 240 Ggr. LSWC
4
1200
366
.357 Mag. 125 gr. JHP
4
1450
442
.357 Mag. 110 gr. JHP
4
1550
473
.357 Mag. 158 gr. JSP
6
1395
425
.357 Mag. 158 gr. Hornady
6
1445
441
10 mm 175 gr. Silvertip
5
1225
372
9 mm 124 gr. FMJ
5
1175
358
9 mm 115 gr. Silvertip
5
1170
356
Test Calibres:
9mm - 124 gr full metal jacket (FMJ) travelling between 1175 fps and 1225 fps
357 magnum - 158 gr jacketed soft point (JSP) travelling between 1395 fps and 1445 fps
Protects against all Level I and IIA as well as all ammunition listed. Meets N.I.J. Std 0101.03 for Level II armour including Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma) .357 Magnum JSP 158 Gr. at 1395 fps, 9mm FMJ 124 Gr. At 1175 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Level IIIA
.44 Mag. 240 gr. LSWC
6
1400
427
9 mm Gas Check 124 gr. FMJ
9 ½
1400
427
Test Calibres:
9 mm - 124 gr full metal jacket (FMJ) travelling between 1400 fps and 1450 fps (sub machine gun velocity)
.44 magnum - 240 gr lead semi wad cutter travelling between 1400 fps and 1450 fps.
Protects against all Level I, Level IIA, Level II as well as all ammunition listed. Meets N.I.J. STD 0101.03 for Level IIIA armour including Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma) .44 Magnum lead SWC Gas Checked 240 gr at 1400 fps, 9 mm FMJ 124 gr at 1400 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Level III
7.62 x 51 NATO ball
22
2750
838
Test Calibres: 7.62 x 51 NATO ball - travelling between 2750 fps and 2800 fps.
Level IV
30.06 AP M2 166 gr (armour piercing)
22
2850
868
Test Calibre: 30.06 AP M2 166 gr (armour piercing) - travelling between 2850 fps and 2900 fps
