What material are bullets primarily made from?

Bullets are primarily made from lead because of its excellent properties for ballistic performance. Lead is a dense and malleable metal, which makes it suitable for use in bullets as it can be easily shaped and formed during the manufacturing process. Its density allows it to retain energy effectively, resulting in greater stopping power upon impact.

Lead can also be coated with materials like copper to reduce barrel wear and prevent lead fouling in firearms, enhancing performance and longevity. However, the core material of most traditional bullets remains lead, emphasizing its key role in ammunition design.

While steel and aluminum are utilized in certain bullet types or specific designs, they are not the primary material. Steel bullets are often used in military applications, and aluminum is typically not used for bullet cores but might be found in some casing types. Copper is important for coating or specific bullet designs but does not serve as the single primary material. Thus, lead is recognized as the standard material for bullet construction.