Ammunition
Ammunition
by Joe Miller
The right ammo matters as much as the right gun. Here is every common kind, how to read the box, where to buy it, what it costs, and how to keep it good for decades.
How ammunition works
| Kind | Primer | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rimfire | Inside the rim of the case | .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR | Cheap, light, can't be reloaded |
| Centerfire | A separate primer in the center of the base | Nearly everything else: 9mm, .223, .308, .50 BMG | More powerful and reliable; brass can be reloaded |
| Shotgun shells | Center primer in a brass head | 12, 20, 28 gauge, .410 | Plastic hull holds shot or a slug |
Bullet types
| Bullet | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Full metal jacket (FMJ) | Copper over lead; does not expand | Practice and targets |
| Jacketed hollow point (JHP) | Opens up like a flower on impact | Handgun self-defense |
| Soft point | Exposed lead tip that expands | Hunting |
| Polymer tip (ballistic tip) | Plastic tip for accuracy and fast expansion | Hunting and varmints |
| Match (hollow point boat tail) | Made for the tightest groups | Target and long range |
| Solid copper | Lead-free, holds together deep | Hunting where lead is banned (such as California) |
| Lead round nose | Plain lead | .22 LR and revolver practice |
| Frangible | Breaks into powder on steel | Indoor ranges and close steel targets |
Shotgun shells
| Shell | Pellets | For |
|---|---|---|
| #8 or #9 birdshot | Hundreds of tiny pellets | Clays, doves, quail |
| #6 or #4 birdshot | Fewer, bigger pellets | Pheasant, squirrels, rabbits, turkey |
| Steel #2 to BB | Non-toxic shot | Ducks and geese (required by federal law) |
| 00 buckshot | 8 or 9 large pellets | Home defense; deer where legal |
| Slug | One heavy projectile | Deer and hogs to about 100 yards |
Reading the box
| On the box | What it means |
|---|---|
| Caliber or gauge | Must exactly match what is stamped on your barrel (".308 Win", "12 GA 3 in") |
| Grain (gr) | Bullet weight: 7,000 grains = 1 pound. Heavier bullets are slower and hit harder |
| Velocity (fps) | Speed in feet per second at the muzzle |
| Bullet type | FMJ, JHP, SP, and so on (see above) |
| +P | Higher pressure; only if your gun allows it |
| Headstamp | The writing on the base of each case: the maker and the caliber. Check it matches your gun |
Sizes side by side
What ammo costs (approximate)
| Caliber | Practice ammo, per round | Defense or hunting, per round |
|---|---|---|
| .22 LR | 6 to 12 cents | 10 to 20 cents |
| 9mm | 25 to 40 cents | 75 cents to $1.25 |
| .45 ACP | 45 to 70 cents | $1 to $1.75 |
| .223 / 5.56 | 40 to 70 cents | $1 to $1.75 |
| .308 Win | 90 cents to $1.50 | $1.75 to $3 |
| 12 ga birdshot | 35 to 60 cents | — |
| 12 ga buckshot or slug | — | 90 cents to $2 |
| .50 BMG | $4 to $6 | $7.50 to $11.50 (match) |
Typical late-2026 prices; buying by the case of 500 or 1,000 rounds is cheaper per round. Prices swing a lot when demand jumps.
Where to buy ammunition
| Where | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local gun shops | Advice, defense loads, odd calibers | Support the shop that will help you later |
| Sporting goods stores | Common calibers and shotgun shells | Academy, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse; some Walmart stores carry hunting ammo |
| Online retailers | Bulk prices delivered to your door | Lucky Gunner, Target Sports USA, MidwayUSA, Sportsman's Guide. An adult signature is usually required |
| Ranges | Ammo you can use right there | Some indoor ranges require their own ammo (no steel-core) |
| Gun shows | Bulk and surplus | Check that it's factory ammo, not someone's reloads |
| Rule | What to know |
|---|---|
| Age (federal) | 18 for rifle and shotgun ammo, 21 for handgun ammo from a licensed dealer |
| Shipping | Most states allow ammo shipped to your home |
| States with extra rules | Some states, such as California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey, require a background check, license or permit, so online orders may have to go through a local dealer |
| Flying | Ammo goes only in checked bags, in its box or a case; most airlines limit it to 11 pounds |
Storing ammunition
- Keep it cool and dry: a closet or safe inside the house. Heat and moisture are what ruin ammo.
- Use military-style ammo cans with a rubber gasket ($10 to $25), and add a desiccant pack.
- Keep it in the original boxes, labeled by caliber and the date you bought it. Use the oldest first.
- Lock it up, away from children, in a safe, locked cabinet or locked can.
- Inspect before you shoot: throw out rounds with green corrosion, dents, loose bullets or that got wet.
- Getting rid of old ammo: never throw it in the trash or a fire; ask your local police, sheriff or range.
Fire myth: loose ammunition in a house fire does not explode like a bomb. The cases pop and fly apart, but the bullets go only a short way. Still, tell firefighters if you store ammo or powder in the house.
Reloading (making your own ammo from used brass) is a popular hobby that saves money on rifle and .50 BMG ammo. Follow a published reloading manual exactly; never guess at powder amounts.
Laws vary. Federal, state and local laws on buying, carrying, storing and transporting guns and ammunition differ a lot from place to place and change often. This site is education, not legal advice. Check your state's laws, or ask a local gun shop or attorney, before you buy, carry or travel.