Explosive

Explosive ammunition is, obviously, the type of ammunition that explode upon impact, transforming chemical potential energy into explosive kinetic energy.

Explosives are almost always more powerful the closer a target is to the center of its blast radius in Fallout 3. This blast radius is known as the Area of Effect, or AOE.

Examples of explosive ammunition are the missiles that are used by the Missile Launcher and derivatives, (in some opinions) the ammo used in combination with the Tesla Cannon, and, of course, the Mini Nuke ammo which gets launched for several metres, unlike a grenade that is hand-tossed.

There are 3 different types of explosions in Fallout 3: regular, pulse (indicated by the blue energy field that is emitted, great against robots) and plasma (big, magnetically-sealed explosions which produce a big, green ball-like explosion that covers a few metres upon explosion) with a big chance of crippling allies and/or enemies' body parts.

Missiles-Aim for the feet if there is a low percentage in VATS for the torso. Missiles that miss go past the person if you aim low it will impact closer and may still kill or seriously injure the NPC. For hard NPC's have an escape route planned, drop a missile then run away in a way that you can hide and loss agro(for very hard setting).

Grenades-With a success in VATS it will blow on impact with target. On a failure in VATS a grenade will generally miss the target and roll far past and do no damage. Use walls and door frames to bounce grenades into rooms with NPC's.

Mines-Your self placed mines do not detonate when you come near, so place many along a path then pull the bad guys into death's row. Make sure they are spread apart so they do not all detonate in a chain. You can always remove mines you have placed if NPC's did not explode.

Explosives and rifles make very hard setting doable, learn them and love them.