What is the primary purpose of jacketed soft point ammunition?

Jacketed soft point ammunition is engineered for high-velocity antipersonnel use, making it effective for hunting and personal defense. The design features a soft lead point encased in a jacket, typically made of copper, which allows the bullet to maintain structural integrity upon firing. As the bullet travels, it expands upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and transferring energy efficiently to the target.

This characteristic makes jacketed soft points a versatile choice for situations where both penetration and expansion are desired, striking a balance between deep tissue damage and an adequate range performance. Such features contribute to the stopping power against various game and human threats, underscoring their primary purpose.

The other options do not align with the intended functionality of jacketed soft point ammunition. For example, maximizing ricochet is not a design goal, nor is it exclusively intended for long-range shooting or disintegration upon impact, as the latter would negate the bullet's effectiveness in delivering reliable performance upon striking a target.