What type of projectile is known for good penetration but little expansion?

A roundnose lead projectile is designed with a smooth, rounded tip, which allows for good penetration through various materials, including tissue. This design minimizes the drag and resistance that typically occurs during penetration, enabling the projectile to maintain its velocity and deliver more energy to deeper tissues. Due to its shape, it does not expand significantly upon impact, resulting in a narrower wound channel compared to other projectile types that are engineered to expand upon entering a target.

Other projectiles, such as hollowpoints, are specifically designed to expand upon impact, creating larger wound channels. Full metal jackets are typically used for military or target shooting purposes, as their design promotes penetration but not expansion. Semi-wad cutters can expand somewhat but typically serve specific purposes like target shooting or hunting small game. Each of these types serves different purposes based on their design characteristics, but for deep penetration with minimal expansion, roundnose lead stands out as the optimal choice.