Do you enjoy spending time at the shooting range? Or are you thinking of getting into firearms for home defense? Maybe you want to try your hand at hunting.
If this is you, it’s important to know about the different types of ammunition available. Should you use hollow-point rounds or FMJ? What about shotgun shells or rifle rounds?
It can be tough to keep track of it all! So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned shooter, read on for all you need to know about ammunition.
History of Ammunition
Ammunition has been around for centuries, and its history is fascinating. The first types of ammunition were simple objects like rocks or arrows. Armies all over the world used them in ancient warfare and hunting.
Later on, after the invention of guns, came a need for more specialized types of ammunition. The development of different types of ammo came about to suit the needs of different firearms.
Rifle Ammunition
Rifle ammunition has been around for centuries. But what exactly has changed in the past few decades?
Throughout history, various advancements have been made in bullet design. The first major leap towards the modern bullet was the development of the Minie Ball, named after the co-developer Claude-Etienne Minie. The design of this bullet increased the ballistic coefficient and improved target penetration.
The Minie Ball was a hollow metal bullet that was inserted into the barrel of a rifle. Its hollow base was just slightly smaller than the bore diameter. This helped seal the bore and capture the gas energy behind the bullet.
This innovation greatly changed the history of rifle ammunition. It also led to improvements in ballistics, muzzle velocity, and accuracy.
Early rifles used lead balls that were not very accurate. This was because lead balls did not have rifling, and they also bounced inside the barrel.
In addition, lead balls have a spherical shape and are not aerodynamically stable. However, rifling made bullets more accurate, and lead balls eventually disappeared.
In the 1960s, the United States began developing rifles with smaller caliber cartridges. These small cartridges could be used in smaller smaller-caliber rifles and still produce high muzzle velocity.
Pistol Ammunition
The development of black powder for pistols started in the thirteenth century. Initially, the search was for an easily portable source of power.
However, the weak metals and large size of the barrels made early handguns, or hand cannons, unwieldy. They often needed two people to operate it. By the fourteenth century, handguns were largely replaced by traditional cannons.
In the early nineteenth century, gun manufacturers realized that they could increase accuracy by re-engineering the loading process. In 1848, Christian Sharps introduced a new design that utilized the base of the barrel that was nearest to the person firing the weapon. This new design allowed the gunsmith to load a bullet and a charge of powder into the open breech. In addition, the percussion cap ignited the powder charge.
By 1849, Smith and Wesson started producing revolvers for soldiers and civilians. These guns were originally used by cavalry troops and used integrated cartridges, but quickly became popular in civilian life. In 1846, Benjamin Houllier patented the first modern cartridge.
Types of Ammunition
Today, there are countless ammunition options available on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types.
Rim Fire
Rim fire ammunition is a type of firearm ammunition that is ignited by the striking of a percussion cap. When the trigger is pulled, the striker hits the primer, which ignites the priming compound. This causes the gunpowder to ignite, which propels the bullet out of the barrel of the gun. Rim fire ammo cannot be reloaded.
Centerfire
Centerfire ammunition is ignited by the striking of a firing pin. When pulling the trigger, the striker hits the primer, which ignites the priming compound. This causes the gunpowder to ignite, which propels the bullet out of the barrel of the gun. Centerfire brass ammunition is ideal for reloading.
Bullet Types
There are a lot of bullet types out there. Here are some of the most common:
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
FMJ ammunition is a type of firearm ammunition that has a non-deforming jacket. This means that the bullet retains its shape when it hits its target. FMJ ammunition is typically used for target shooting and hunting.
Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ)
Expanding Full Metal Jacket (EFMJ) ammunition has a jacket that expands upon impact. This means that the bullet will cause greater damage to the target. EFMJ ammunition is typically used for self-defense.
Hollow Point (HP)
HP ammunition has a hollowed-out tip and expands upon impact. This means that the bullet will cause greater damage to the target.
Boat Tail (BT)
Boat tail ammunition is a bullet with a sleek, tapered end. It’s designed to have greater accuracy and range than other types of ammunition.
Frangible
Frangible ammunition is designed to break into small pieces when it hits its target. This type of ammunition is typically used for training purposes.
Wadcutters
Wadcutter bullets have a flat end instead of a point. This type of ammunition is typically used for target shooting.
Shotshell Ammunition
Shotshells are used in shotguns. There are three types of shotshells.
Birdshot
Birdshot ammunition is typically used for hunting small game. It is less powerful than other types of shotgun ammunition, but it is more accurate.
Buckshot
Buckshot ammunition is typically used for hunting larger game, such as deer. Buckshot ammunition is more powerful than birdshot, and many use it for home defense.
Slugs
Slug ammunition is typically used for hunting larger game, such as deer. Slugs are also used for home defense.
Bullet Sizes & Calibers
Choosing the right size bullet for your firearm is crucial. Here is a rundown of the different-size bullets:
.22 LR
.22LR ammo is a small, lightweight bullet. It has very little recoil and is affordable.
.380 ACP
The .380 ACP is a great close-range bullet with little recoil. It offers more impact than .22 ammo
9mm
The 9mm round is extremely popular. It is a popular round for law enforcement and standard NATO.
.40 S&W
More powerful than a 9mm round, the .40 S&W is often used by law enforcement. However, some agencies are opting instead for 9mm rounds.
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP round packs a punch. Second only to 9mm, .45 ACP is one of the most popular calibers in America.
.38 Special
The .38 Special round is a great self-defense round. It is popular in both revolvers and pistols.
.357 Magnum
The .357 Magnum is a very powerful round. It is often used for self-defense and is fun to shoot at the range.
.223/5.56 NATO
The .223/5.56 NATO round is a popular choice for AR-15 rifles. 5.56 NATO is also used by the military.
7.62x39mm
The 7.62x39mm is a popular caliber for rifles. It is often used in AK-47s and SKSs.
.308 Winchester
The .308 Winchester is a very popular caliber for hunting and long-range shooting. It is also used by the military.
20 Gauge
The 20 gauge is a popular choice for shotguns. It is lighter than the 12 gauge and has less recoil.
16 Gauge
The 16 gauge is not as popular as the 12 or 20 gauge, but it is a good choice for those who want a shotgun with less recoil.
12 Gauge
The 12 gauge is the most popular shotgun caliber. It can be used for hunting, self-defense, and target shooting.
10 Gauge
The 10 gauge is the least popular shotgun caliber. It is very powerful and has a lot of recoil. It is typically used for hunting big game.
Buying Ammunition
Now that you know the different types of ammunition, you need to know how to buy it. Ammunition is typically sold in boxes of 20 or 50 rounds. You can also buy bulk ammunition, which is usually cheaper.
When buying ammunition, you need to make sure that you are buying the right caliber for your firearm. You also need to make sure that the ammunition is compatible with your firearm. For example, you cannot shoot .22LR ammo in a 9mm gun.
Take it to the Range
Ammunition comes in a variety of types and calibers, each designed for a specific purpose. To choose the right ammo for your needs, you need to understand the different types of ammunition and their uses.
Now that you know what is available, it’s time to get out to the range and start testing them out!
Interested in reloading? We have everything you need to reload your ammo. Check out our high-quality pistol brass today!
