According to some estimates, the period between 2020 and 2021 alone saw more than 5 million people in the United States become first-time gun owners.
If you are one of them and are new to competitive or recreational shooting, it probably didn’t take you long to realize that ammo is not simply “ammo.”
A firearm is chambered according to the dimensions of a specific cartridge and one gun can shoot many different types of “bullets” or loads, as we call them.
In the event that you are new to shooting, here are a few things to look for in ammo, since quality in target loads cannot always be assessed by brand.
1. Get familiar with the different types of bullets.
As stated, one cartridge can be loaded with many different types of bullets that have different features. For instance, there are total metal jacket, full metal jacket, hollow point, wadcutter (or flat nose), and ballistic tip bullets.
These bullets are used for different reasons; jacketed bullets offer superior penetration whereas wadcutters cut clean holes in paper targets, making scoring easier. Hollow point and ballistic tip bullets expand on impact and so have greater stopping power, making them more suitable for hunting or self-defense.
2. Non-corrosive primers and propellants will preserve the lifespan of your gun.
For the most part, if you buy American-made ammunition, you’re good. Just be careful if you ever purchase ammo that was made overseas as some of it is loaded with either corrosive primers (more common) or propellant.
The residue produced by these compounds attracts or reacts with water once fired which can cause pitting and corrosive damage to your gun’s bore and action.
3. If you intend to reload, virgin brass casings are the way to go.
Some more affordable ammo lines, such as TulAmmo and CCI Blazer aluminum ammo, are loaded with steel or aluminum cartridge casings. While these are still respected as quality ammo manufacturers, there are some considerations that you need to make.
Chiefly, the downside of this is that steel and aluminum cartridge casings really can’t be reloaded. So, if you plan to get into reloading, make sure you buy ammo made with high-quality virgin brass casings.
4. Get familiar with the term “nonmagnetic”
Another term you may see when looking at ammo data is “nonmagnetic.” Ammo is considered nonmagnetic when it is not loaded with magnetic materials – that is, steel.
Some bullets are made with a “bimetal” jacket, which means they are steel coated, with a thin plate of copper over the top. Ammo manufacturers do this because steel is more affordable than copper. These bullets are sometimes called “magnetic.”
You’ll want to be aware of this because some ranges do not allow magnetic ammo – steel may be cheaper, but it is also harder, which increases the chances of dangerous ricochets and equipment damage.
High-Quality Federal, Remington, TulAmmo, CCI Blazer, and Norma 9mm Ammo at Great Prices
Something else you may also have noticed if you are a first-time (or a new) gun owner: ammo prices have soared and shortages are the new norm.
To keep your new hobby alive, get familiar with places where you can buy quality ammo, like FAE, Remington, and Norma 9mm Luger, online.
Visit Bucking Horse Outpost online at BuckingHorseOutpost.com. They carry quality ammo at great prices and popular brands, calibers and loads are in stock!
