he basic ideas about the process of introducing cores into protective barriers and the most common core patterns and their location in conventional and sub-caliber small arms bullets are discussed. The materials used for manufacture of cores are analyzed. It is concluded that for mass bullets of increased armor penetration the most rational choice can be considered the use of high-carbon low-alloy steels of a new generation with a natural composite structure and hardness of up to 70 HRC. For specialized armor-piercing bullets, cores made from promising economically-alloyed high-speed steels characterized by a high complex of «hardness—bending strength» are better alternative than ones made of hard alloys or tungsten alloys.
