BEST HUNTING GUNS

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Hunting Rifles - Choosing the Right Rifle Caliber for Hunting

Choosing the right caliber for your hunting guns and rifles is one of the most important factors to put some good thought into. There are way too many different calibers available for a rifle to list them all. We will list some of the more popular and more widely available calibers below. It’s important to pick a rifle that is a common caliber, so it’s easy to find ammunition for it. Especially with the shortage in ammunition these days, it’s important to pick a caliber that you can easily get bullets for. It’s also a good idea to put some thought into what you want to hunt or do with your hunting rifle, so you can pick a caliber that will work for all of what you want to use it for, so you don’t have to buy several different calibers of rifles. That way you can buy one, or a few, that will cover all of your needs. There is a table below that shows exactly what calibers are good for what game animals. I like to hunt elk in some years, so for me, a rifle that is big enough for elk is a must, though it is mostly used for blacktail and mule deer hunting.

Rifle Action

There are several different types of action that you can find for a rifle.

Rifle Action Types:

• Break Action • Bolt Action • Pump Action • Lever Action • Semi Automatic

Break Action Rifle

A Break Action rifle is where you push a switch or lever on the rifle, and the barrel swings open on a hinge exposing the breech so you can load and unload the rifle. Break Action Rifles are simple to clean, and simple to load and unload. But, you only get one shot, then you have to reload.

Bolt Action Rifle

A Bolt Action rifle is where you manually feed and ejects each round by rotating, pulling and pushing back in the bolt handle on the side of the rifle. Then you fire and repeat for the next shot. With a bolt action rifle you have multiple rounds at the ready, but they are slower to load than a semi automatic.

Pump Action Rifle

A Pump Action rifle is where you you load the bullets into a tube that runs below the barrel and then “pump” the fore end back and forth to load the first bullet, and then shoot and repeat. A pump action rifle is easy to operate, and they are more affordable. However, they are difficult to clean and usually come in smaller calibers.

Lever Action Rifle

A Lever Action rifle is where you push the lever down and forward, which pushes the rifle’s bolt back, locking the hammer back and opening the breech. Pulling the lever back to its original position pulls the bolt closed, chambering a round. Lever action rifles are great for close range dense brush hunting. They are difficult to clean.

Semi Automatic Rifle

A Semi Automatic rifle is where you manually chamber the first round. When you fire the shot, the next round is chambered automatically and ready to shoot again. A semi automatic rifle is very fast to load, and you can have several clips ready to reload. The only draw back to a semi automatic rifle is that because of how fast they load, hunters tend to shoot rapidly, and knowing they have more bullets ready immediately they are likely to take less time to aim accurately, so they can teach bad habits that may give you bad shots.

What to Look For When Buying a New Rifle

• Rifle Weight • Rifle Balance • Rifle Finish

Rifle Weight

When considering the weight of a rifle the important thing to consider is what you will be using the rifle for. A heavier rifle will absorb the recoil of the shot better, but the lighter rifle is easier to carry. This matters a lot when you do a lot of hiking while hunting, and matters less if it’s for target practice, or shorter hiking distances while hunting.

Rifle Balance

The balance of a rifle is important as well, and it’s a matter of personal preference. For me, I shoot better with a rifle that is slightly muzzle heavy. The exception for me is when I am hunting in close cover for upland game bird hunting, such as for grouse.

Rifle Finish

The finish on a gun is really important to some people, and much less important to others. A nice fancy expensive walnut finish and beautiful shiny engraving on the rifle look great in the uplands and on the target range. But if you are hunting deer, elk, or other big game, you may prefer something duller, a bit more durable, and easier to care of.

Choosing the Right Rifle Caliber

Choosing the right rifle caliber for your gun is important. You want the right caliber for the type of game you are hunting, and for the type of shots you take, whether it’s short range or long range. Each caliber has it’s own purpose, and each size has it’s own fans.

Common Hunting Rifle Calibers

17 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .17 Caliber rifle shoots a low caliber round that produces almost no recoil. It still packs a small, fast punch to take down small game and predators. Perfect for hunting varmints, small game, and coyote.

22 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .22 Caliber Rifle is another small caliber rifle that is great for hunting varmints, small game and coyotes. Comes in both a rimfire and centerfire model. Small, fast shooting bullet to tackle small prey. Bullets are very cheap for the .22, so it is a great caliber for young hunters to have for their first learning rifle. It’s also a lot of fun, since the bullets are so cheap, to shoot a lot of rounds through. Perfect for hunting varmints, small game, and coyote.

223 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .223 caliber rifle is one of the most popular rifles today for hunting varmints, small game, and coyotes. They are affordable, ergonomic, and very lightweight. The .223 is one of the most affordable rifle cartridges on the market. Perfect for hunting varmints, small game, and coyote.

243 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .243 caliber rifle is a great smaller rifle for deer and sheep. The .243 is light, small and is an excellent choice for beginning deer hunters. Some big game hunters use the .243 rifle for mule deer and even bear as it is one of the most accurate fifle rounds when shooting less than 200 yards. It also has a low recoil. Because this is a smaller rifle caliber, great shot placement is important. Great for hunting Deer and Sheep.

257 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .257 caliber rifle is perfect for Deer, and Sheep hunting. It was designed in 1944. It shoots basically a .25 caliber belted bottlenecked cartridge. It is one of the flattest shooting commercially available cartridges on the market today with accuracy upwards of 500 yards. Great for hunting Deer and Sheep.

270 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .270 calilber rifle is great for Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear. The .270 was originally released in the 1920s. It is basically just like a .30-06 with a smaller bullet diameter, which gains a higher velocity. Better velocity, with good knock down power for big game, earns the .270 caliber rifle a spot as a favorite among many big game hunters. Great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear.

308 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .308 caliber rifle is great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear. Released in 1952, the .308 has become the cartridge of choice for many hunters, as well as for sporting, military, and law enforcement. The .308 provides deep penetration, as well as long range capabilities. There are many manufacturers and models of the .308, as well as availability of ammunition due to the wide use of this caliber. Great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear.

30-30 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .30-30 caliber rifle is perfect for Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear. The .30- 30 rifle remains the preferred choice of many whitetail deer hunters. This latest models of the .30-30 was built with the traditional deer hunter in mind. They are both lightweight, at around 7 to 8 pounds, and maneuverable with the average length at around 39″ long, providing the perfect combination for hunting in dense timber and heavy brush. Great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, and Black Bear.

30-06 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .30-06 is one of the most used multi-species hunting rifles. It has a very mild recoil when compared against the magnum cartridges of other rifles. Even with the lower recoil, it performs magnificently in taking down large game. Because of it’s popularity, it is one of the most widely available types of rifles, and the ammunition is abundantly available and easy to find. Great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, Black Bear, Moose, and Brown Bear.

7mm Magnum Caliber Hunting Rifle

The 7 mm Magnum has been around for over fifty years, and was the first magnum hunting cartridge to achieve widespread commercial success among big game hunters. This is one of the top calibers that is known as an all purpose type gun for big game. The magnum caliber shoots out bullets of the same weight faster than popular non-magnum calibers like the .270 Winchester or .30-06, and the 7mm Mag is great choice for hunters who want a rifle that shoots a bullet with hard hitting knock down power, and is flat shooting for long range shots. With this much power comes a lot of recoil and brings more noise with the loud bang of the shot. When I shoot my 7mm Remington Magnum, it does cause other shooters at the range pause to see what shot that big bang. Great for hunting Deer, Sheep, Elk, Black Bear, Moose, and Brown Bear.

300 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .300 caliber rifle is a great choice for hunting big game like Deer, Sheep, Elk, Black Bear, Moose, and even Brown Bear. It is known for it’s versatility and precision, along with it’s hard hitting power and accuracy. It is a great multi- species hunting rifle.

338 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .338 caliber rifle is a real powerhorse that is excellent for harging the larger big game species such as Elk, Black Bear, Moose, and Brown Bear. If you are looking for a rifle to hammer through a quartering away elk out to 400 yards the .338 caliber bullet driven fast enough would get the job done. The .338 bullets are unique as they have both high ballistic aerodynamic efficiency, and high sectional densities which allows them to penetrate deeply into large, heavy big game animals.

35 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .35 caliber rifle has great close range knock down power for hunting large big game animals like Elk, Black Bear, Moose, Brown Bear. The .35 caliber rifle was very popular in the early 1900’s, but this caliber has fallen out of mainstream use over the last ten years due to the advancements of other calibers that have much better ballistics for longer range shots. It is not a good long range bullet, but it is a good gun for heavy brush and short to moderate range hunting with tremendous knock down power for larger animals. This rifle to the left is the CVA Hunter Single Shot .35 Caliber Hunting Rifle.

375 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The 375 caliber rifle is for really big game like Moose, and Brown Bear. It is a durable and dependable model. The .375 caliber rifle is a serious rifle for hunting dangerous game, especially in harsh, wet environments, or remote backcountry where an equipment failure could cause life safety issues camping or hiking amongst prey that hunts you back. This is the Sako 85 Kodiak Bolt Action Rifle to the left.

458 Caliber Hunting Rifle

The .458 caliber rifle is for hunting larger big game species like Moose, Brown Bear as well as for hunting serious big game species such as Cape buffalo and Kodiak bear. It is also an outstanding choice for hunting in Africa or any rugged environment inhabited by dangerous game. This is the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express Bolt Action Rifle.

SHOTGUNS FOR HUNTING AND HOME PROTECTION

How to Choose the Right Shotgun

The 12 gauge shotgun is the popular and the most versatile, and it handles a large range of loads. If you are looking for a shotgun to hunt upland game bird, the 16, 20 and 28 gauges are also a great choice. The .410 is for small game like squirrel hunting and expert clay target shooting. The big 10 gauge is more of a specialty gun for goose hunters.

Shotgun Features

• Action • Weight • Balance • Finish

Action of A Shotgun

A pump action shotgun is the least expensive choice and are also very reliable. A semi automatic shotgun will reduce the amount of recoil that you feel when shooting the shotgun. Pump action and semi automatic shotguns are better guns for hunting deer and turkeys. Break action shotguns offer two shots, compared to to three shots offered by pump action and semi automatic.

Weight of A Shotgun

When considering the weight of a shotgun, the important thing to consider is what you will be using the shotgun for. A heavier shotgun will absorb the recoil of the shot better, but the lighter shotgun is easier to carry. This matters a lot when you do a lot of hiking while hunting, and matters less if it’s for target practice, or shorter hiking distances while hunting.

Balance of A Shotgun

The balance of a shotgun is important as well, and it’s a matter of personal preference. For me, I shoot better with a shotgun that is slightly muzzle heavy. The exception for me is when I am hunting in close cover for upland game bird hunting, such as for grouse.

Finish on a Shotgun

The finish on a gun is really important to some people, and much less important to others. For example, a nice fancy expensive walnut finish and beautiful shiny engraving on the shotgun look great in the uplands and on the target range. But if you are hunting waterfowl, deer, and turkeys, you may prefer something duller, a bit more durable, and easier to care of.

Choosing the Right Gauge Shotgun

Unlike the rifle calibers, where there is a crazy amount of different caliber choices, shotgun selections are limited to six. Each size has it’s own purpose, and each size has it’s own fans.

Shotgun Models

• 410 Shotgun • 10 Gauge Shotgun • 12 Gauge Shotgun • 16 Gauge Shotgun • 20 Gauge Shotgun • 28 Gauge Shotgun • Over Under Shotgun

410 Gauge Shotguns

410 Gauge (67 gauge) shotguns are a great starter gun for kids to learn with due to it being so light with very little recoil. A hard recoil can be intimidating for beginner shooters, and it can train them to be scared of the shot, which will cause them to lose accuracy. A .410 has a light kick, so it is not intimidating, and is a great shotgun to learn with. The big negative quality for the .410 shotgun is that it shoots poor patterns and the ammunition is a bit expensive. For hunting purposes, it’s best suited for squirrel hunting.

10 Gauge Shotguns

10 Gauge (.775-inch diameter) shotguns are the largest legal shotgun gauge in the United States. The 10 gauge was used for everything in the days of blackpowder hunting. Though it’s been around forever, it still hangs on for those hunters that target goose hunting. The 10 gauge patterns well with BB and larger steel shot, and it is a heavy shotgun weighing in about ten pounds, so it absorbs the recoil of heavy loads.

12 Gauge Shotguns

12 Gauge (.729) shotguns are the standard for most shotgun owners because it is the most versatile gauge of all. The 12 gauge shoots everything from the very low recoil ¾ ounce practice loads up to the 2 ¼ ounce turkey loads. 12 gauge shotgun ammunition is available everywhere, and because of the high sales volume, the prices remain low at a fair price. If you are going to own only one shotgun, it should be a 12 gauge.

16 Gauge Shotguns

16 Gauge (.662) shotguns are an upland game bird classic squeezed into a tiny, overlapping niche between the 3 inch 20 gauge and the 12. Many shotgun enthusiasts say thta a 16 gauge carries similar to a 20 with it’s lighter weight, but smacks your target like a 12 with a good load.

20 Gauge Shotguns

20 Gauge (.615) shotguns are a capable upland game performer with ⅞ of an ounce to an ounce of shot. A 3 inch 20 shoots about an ounce of steel, which is perfect for duck hunting. With the latest advances in slugs, it make the 20 gauge darn near the equal of a 12 gauge, but with much lower recoil. A 20 gauge makes for a great starter gun.

28 Gauge Shotguns

28 Gauge (.550) shotguns are best for small birds and short range clay shooting. When shooting at a gun range out to 30 to 35 yards, the 28 gauge has a light kick, but the ¾ ounce shot charge hits hard.

Over Under Shotgun

A really fun gun to have is an over under shotgun. When I was a kid I had a .22 rifle with .410 gauge shotgun over under. So I was prepared for shooting many different types of small game at an instant with different types of ammo for each type. It was very fun to carry and target practice with.

HANDGUNS, PISTOLS, AND REVOLVERS

Choosing the Right Pistol or Revolver Caliber

There are way too many different calibers available for a pistol to list them all, but we will list some of the more popular and more widely available calibers below. It’s important to pick a pistol that is a common caliberso that it is easy to find ammunition for it, and the ammunition won’t cost more than it already does. It’s important to think about where and how you will be using your pistol to make sure you get the perfect size for what you are doing. As an example, if the pistol is for both home protection, and additional protection when you are rifle hunting for grizzly bear, you would not want a small caliber, as that pistol could mean the difference between life and death. It also needs to be a trusted name brand, for the same life or death reason. You need to be able to count on your pistol working perfectly when you need it the most.

Pistol and Revolver Action Types

There are several different types of action that you can find for a pistol, and a revolver. There is a break action pistol, semi automatic pistol, single action revolver, and double action revolver. • Break Action Pistol • Semi Automatic Pistol • Single Action Revolver • Double Action Revolver

Break Action Pistol

A break action pistol is where you push a switch or lever on the pistol, or bend it down to break it open, depending on the model, and the barrel swings open on a hinge exposing the breech so you can load and unload the pistol. A break action pistol is easy to clean, load, and unload, but you only have one shot and you have to reload your gun.

Semi Automatic Pistol

A semi automatic pistol is where you manually chamber the first round by pulling back on the top of the pistol, with the clip in, to chamber a round. When you fire the shot, the next round is chambered automatically and ready to shoot again. It’s automatic, very fast to load, and you can have several clips at the ready. Accidents can happen because when people load their gun, then pull the clip out, they forget that there is a bullet chambered and ready to fire.

Single Action Revolver

A single action revolver is where the hammer is manually cocked, usually with the thumb of the firing or supporting hand. If you want to fire another shot, the hammer must be manually cocked again. It’s called "single-action" because the trigger only performs a single action, which is to release the hammer to fire the shot. A single action revolver is simple to operate, and easy to clean, but you must manually cock the hammer back for each shot.

Double Action Revolver

A double action revolver is where pulling the trigger generates two actions. The hammer is pulled back to the cocked position, which simultaneously rotates the cylinder to the next round, followed by the second action where the hammer is released, striking the firing pin to fire the shot. A double action revolver is faster to load and shoot, making this revolver the better choice over the single action revolver. Accidents can happen when people forget to unload the chambered round.

Features To Look For When Buying A New Handgun

• Handgun Weight • Handgun Size • Handgun Finish

Handgun Weight

When considering the weight of a pistol or revolver, the important thing to consider is what you will be using it for. The larger the caliber, the larger the gun, the more the gun weighs, the heavier it will be on your side in it’s holster.

Handgun Size

The size of a pistol or revolver is also important. If you have a concealed carry weapons permit, and you want to be able to conceal a pistol, you would want a smaller caliber, smaller profile pistol. If you use the pistol as a life safety backup gun for hunting grizzlies, you would want a large caliber pistol or revolver so that the first shot counts, which could save your life. Larger pistols and revolvers are big and bulky, so the size should carefully be considered so that you buy the right gun for your unique situation.

Handgun Finish

The finish on a gun is really important to some people, and much less important to others. A nice fancy expensive finish and beautiful shiny engraving on the pistol or revolver look really great in the uplands and on the target range. But if you are hunting deer, elk, or other big game, with a pistol or revolver on your side, a duller, less expensive finish may be a good choice as it will be more exposed to the elements, and more opportunities to be scratched or damaged.

Choosing the Right Caliber Pistol or Revolver

Choosing the right rifle caliber is important. You want the right caliber for the type of shots you take, whether it’s short range or medium range. Each caliber has it’s own purpose, and each size has it’s own fans. For life safety situations, the a medium to large caliber is a good bet.

Common Pistol Calibers

• .22 Pistol • .357 Magnum • .38 Special • .380 Automatic Colt Pistol • 57 Ruger Pistol • 9mm • .40 Smith & Wesson • 10mm • .44 Magnum • .45 Colt • .454 Casull • .460 Smith & Wesson Magnum • .500 Smith & Wesson

22 Caliber Pistol

The .22 Caliber pistol shoots a low caliber round that produces almost no recoil. It still packs a small, fast punch to do some damage, but is more for target practicing, or a first gun for a child to learn with when they first start target shooting. The bullets are much cheaper than other caliber rounds, which makes this a fun addition to your target shooting lineup. Not recommended for a backup gun while hunting dangerous game, or for home protection, though it will do the job on many predators, it won’t affect a bear, and for defending your life from a violent home invader, it may take a few more rounds as compared to some of the larger calibers.

357 Magnum Revolver

The .357 Magnum Revolver is a popular choice with law enforcement, and personal protection enthusiasts. Specifically, the Model 686 Plus is an L-Frame, Smith & Wesson® Double-Action Revolver that has a medium- heavy frame that will hold up the to prolonged use with full power .357 magnum loads, as well as any .38 Special ammunition. This revolver is a 7 shooter, unlike the standard 6 shooter you typically see, giving you one extra shot. It’s stainless steel construction provides corrosion resistance which is great for prolonged holster carry when out in the field, or while camping in the backcountry. The Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus Double Action Revolver has really great balance that helps to provide superb accuracy. It is a great revolver for hunting, home defense, law enforcement, and target competition.

38 Special Revolver

The .38 special revolver is short nose pistol best known for home protection, and for concealed carry. The Smith & Wesson® Model 642 CT Airweight® has a streamlined, lightweight, no snag design that makes it an ideal concealed carry double action revolver. The Crimson Trace® Lasergrip activates automatically when when you grip the gun, which allows you to place shots precisely in any lighting conditions. The 642 CT is a double action revolver which makes it an extremely fast defensive handgun to deploy in dangerous situations, as there is nothing to remember to do except point and pull the trigger.

380 Automatic Colt Pistol

For the .380 automatic colt pistols, our top choice is the Browning® Black Label® Medallion® Pro 1911 380 Semi Automatic Pistol. It is a scaled down to 85 percent of the size of a Model 1911 in .45 ACP, which makes it a more compact pistol for concealed carry. The grip is long and wide enough to allow for you to have much greater shooting control than is offered by smaller .380 ACP pistols. The housing has a nice textured pattern to help in providing a sure grip. This pistol comes with two 8 round steel magazines and a black ABS gun case.

57 Ruger Pistol

If you are looking for a pistol that is just fun to shoot and target practice with, the 57 Ruger is a great choice. It has an easy-reach trigger and a secure action™ fire control system. It is ideal for new and seasoned shooters alike. It is very durable and ready to handle years of service. The Ruger 57 is an ideal target and plinking handgun that's a real blast to shoot. FN Five-seveN Semi Auto Pistol Ruger 57 Semi Auto Pistol.

9mm Pistol

The Sig Sauer® P229® Legion Compact Semi Auto Pistol is finished in a proprietary Legion gray PVD coating, providing a great look and design. It has a nice compact design that is perfect for concealed carry with a perfect balance to deliver major firepower when you need it. The Sig Sauer P229 Legion Compact Semi Automatic 9mm Pistol is an accurate and rugged pistol for personal defense.

40 Smith & Wesson Pistol

The .40 caliber pistol is a good size. It’s a step up in caliber size and power from the 9mm. It is perfect for having on your side in dangerous situations, and as a backup gun for big game hunting.

10mm Pistol

The 10mm pistol is a much more powerful self defense round compared to the 9mm or .40 S&W. The 10mm bullets are larger in weight, and have superior ballistics. It is a better option for hunting than the 9mm for that reason. With more power comes more recoil, so it does take a little practice to shoot well. But after the burn in period where you familiarize yourself with a 10mm, it’s is truly a great gun, and a top choice for many hunters.

44 Magnum Revolver

The Ruger® Super Redhawk Alaskan® Double Action .44 Magnum Revolver provides dependable and maximum protection against large dangerous predatory big game, yet it is still a reasonable sized sidearm that is manageable to carry all day on your side in a holster. It is designed with an extended frame that provides extra metal on the critical components so it can handle the powerful big game loads. It has stainless steel construction that provides corrosion resistance for walking through the woods. The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is the perfect revolver to carry on your side for protecting yourself from bears while trout fishing, protection when you are camping, or backpacking in wilderness areas where you may run into predators of all types, and it is a great back up gun to have with you when you hunt small game and big game alike.

45 Pistol or Revolver

The .45 caliber pistol or revolver is a great gun with a lot of power to knock down whatever game or danger that you are shooting at. It’s a great gun for home protection. Kimber has many different custom designs that will set your pistol apart from what others are shooting.

454 Ruger Casull Revolver

The .454 Casull Ruger® Super Redhawk® is an extremely durable double action revolver that gives you the the reliability that you can depend on in dangerous life threatening situations. It is a perfect revolver for big game hunting. It’s stainless steel provides for great corrosion reistance to give you peace of mind when out in the field experiencing bad weather while out on the hunt. The .454 Casull Ruger Super Redhawk Double Action Revolver is the perfect sidearm to carry for bear protection, for long range target shooting, and home protection. Ruger Super Redhawk Double Action Revolver

460 Smith & Wesson Magnum Revolver

The Smith & Wesson® M460V Double Action Revolver offers great versatility for a wide variety of shooting situations. If you want to hunt big game with a hand gun, this revolver is capable of taking down the largest species of moose and brown bear. It also shoots a milder cartridge that has less recoil for use in target practice or if doing rapid fire for protecting yourself and your loved ones. Offers a milder recoiling cartridge for target practice, or the option of rapid fire for personal protection. The .454 Casull cartridge is perfect for deer hunting, and for hunting black bear. It’s stainless steel properties provides corrosion resistance if you experience bad weather while out on your hunt, or wading through streams. Smith & Wesson Performance Center Revolver Smith & Wesson M460V Double Action Revolver

500 Smith & Wesson Revolver

The Smith & Wesson® Model S&W500™ Double Action Revolver offers a huge amount of power for hunting the largest species of big game, for defending yourself from dangerous game, or protecting yourself in dangerous situations. The easily removable muzzle compensator tames the recoil to a more manageable level. The single action trigger pull is light and crisp for precise and accurate shooting, and the double-action pull cycles the cylinder smoothly to have the next shot ready in an instant. The Stainless steel construction provides corrosion resistance so you can carry this revolver longer on your side while camping and hiking in the backcountry. The Smith & Wesson Model 500 is a reliable and rugged Double Action Revolver that you can depend on in the most extreme conditions. Smith & Wesson S&W500 Double Action Revolver Smith & Wesson S&W500 Double Action Revolver with Muzzle Compensator Smith & Wesson X-Frame Centerfire Revolver

BULLETS & AMMUNITION

What To Look For When Buying Bullets

When buying ammo for home protection, target practice, or hunting, there are a lot of different types and brands to choose from. Some states have different rules and regulations that make buying ammo a bit more difficult, and a bit more expensive.

Parts of a Bullet Cartridge

A bullet cartridge is made up of four components, the case, a primer, some gun powder for the propellant, and a projectile.

Bullet Cartridge Components

• Case • Primer • Gun Powder • Projectile

Bullet Case

The bullet case is typically made from steel, brass, or nickel.

Bullet Primer

This primer is the ignition for the propellent which fires the projectile through the gun barrel.

Bullet Powder Propellant

The propellant in a bullet cartridge is gun powder, which is highly flammable, and ignites when the primer goes off to fire the projectile through the gun barrel.

Bullet Projectile

The projectile is the actual bullet that shoots out of the gun to hit the object or animal that you are aiming at. The Projectile has for the longest time been made of lead, but with advancements in technology the industry is moving more towards non-lead bullets. Lead bullets fragment when they hit their target, where as non-lead bullets stay together. Non-lead bullets are typically made of copper or a copper alloy. Non-lead ammo is more expensive, and they typically come in smaller quantities in a package.

Bullet Types

Bullets come in a variety of different, each of which are used for different purposes. Examples of bullet types are shown below: Lead Round Nose (LRN) is the cheapest and most common type of bullets. The bullet is made of lead, and is rounded. It has no copper or hard metal jacket. Wad Cutter (WC) is a flat nosed bullet with no taper. It is crimped totally into the case, it is a big lead plug inside the cartridge that doesn't stick out above the shoulder of the case. Semi Wad Cutter (SWC) is an all-purpose bullet commonly used in revolvers and pistols. The SWC combines the features of the wadcutter bullet and traditional round nosed revolver bullets. It is used in revolver and pistol cartridges for hunting and target shooting. Semi Jacketed (SJ) unlike a full metal jacket that completely encases the bullet in a coating of metal alloy, the semi-jacketed leaves a portion exposed that expands on impact that creates a greater surface area for the most damage. The semi-jacketed bullet fouls up the barrel of a firearm less than non-jacketed bullets do. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) has a projectile consisting of a soft core, which is often lead, encased in an outer shell or jacket of harder metal. The bullet jacket allows for higher muzzle velocities than bare lead without depositing significant amounts of metal into the bore, which lessens damage to the barrel over time. Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) is a bullet designed to give you all the stopping power and expansion of a normal hollow point bullet, but gives you more penetration. The partial jacket creates a uniform mushrooming effect of the bullet upon impact with a target. Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) benefits performance by providing smoother feeding in a semi-automatic weapon, which lessens the rate at which the bore fouls. This design increases the penetration of the target, and controls the expansion of the bullet so that it occurs in a reliable fashion. Soft Point (SP) the soft point bullet tip is exposed lead. Armor Piercing (AP) the armor piercing bullet is composed of alloy instead of lead. Boat Tail (BT) the boat tail bullet is where the rear end of the cartridge is tapered to stabilize the projectile during flight. Boat Tail Hollow Point (BTHP) is a combination of the boat tail and hollow point bullet features.

Rimfire Bullets

In a rimfire bullet, the primer material is around the "rim" or base of the bullet and the primer strike which ignites the powder is on the outside edge of the bullet. The most common types of "rim fire" ammo are the 22LR, 22MAG. and .17HMR. Due to the size of rimfire bullets, and how they are made, they typically cannot be reloaded.

Centerfire Rifle Bullets

A centerfire bullets primer is located at the center of the base of its casing. The centerfire primer is typically a separate component that is seated into the recessed primer pocket in the case head and is replaceable by reloading.

Shotgun Shell Bullets

A shotgun shell is a type of rimmed, cylindrical cartridge that is used specifically in shotguns, and is typically loaded with small pellet like spherical sub-projectiles that are referred to as “shot”. A shotgun shell can also contain only a single large solid projectile known as a slug. The shotgun shell hull usually consists of a paper or plastic tube, typically covered at the base by a metallic head cover which retains a primer, and the shot charge is typically contained by a wadding or sabot inside the case. Also, Check Out our articles about the Best Rifle Scopes and the Gun Safes. About The Author Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase. The Best Guns & Ammo Shopping Experience Awaits!