Q: I heard that full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are illegal for hunting in Ontario. Is this true?
Daniel Kott, Kapuskasing
A: Full metal jacket ammunition is not illegal for hunting. However, hunters and trappers need to consider the characteristics of ammunition that they are using and choose ammo that is best suited for the species being hunted or dispatched. FMJ ammunition was not designed for hunting wildlife and may not be the most efficient means of ensuring a quick kill.
Experts explain why FMJ isn’t the best choice
OOD Guns & Ammo columnists Linda K Miller and Keith A Cunningham, who operate the MilCun Training Centre near Haliburton, explained this topic to their nephew after he spotted .303 FMJ ammo at a gun show. Simply put, this ammo may be legal to use, but is not ethical for hunting.
“If you have a rifle of the appropriate calibre for army surplus ammo (such as .303 British, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 5.56/.223), you can practise with this cheaper ammo,” they wrote. “But do not use FMJ ammo for hunting game. It usually puts a pencil-sized hole through the animal, causing a wound, but not guaranteeing a quick kill.
Ammo designed for hunting is intended to penetrate the game into the boiler room (where the vitals are), and then expand to do as much damage as possible, as quickly as possible. This ensures a humane kill.”
Answer by: David Critchlow, Provincial Enforcement Specialist, MNR
Please check the most recent Ontario hunting and fishing regulations summaries, as rules and regulations can change
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Originally published in Ontario OUT of DOORS’ 2024-2025 Hunting Annual
