Steel vs Aluminum vs Brass Cases: Cost vs Performance
Steel vs aluminum vs brass ammo cases compared — reliability, cost, reloadability, and range rules to pick the right practice ammo.
From the blog
Guides and tips on buying cheap ammo and understanding calibers.
Best Ammo for a Pistol-Caliber Carbine (PCC)
The best ammo for a 9mm PCC — why carbines like heavier bullets, reliable picks, and how a longer barrel changes performance.
How to Read an Ammo Box: Every Number Explained
How to read an ammo box — caliber, grain, bullet type, velocity, round count, and pressure markings decoded for new shooters.
Bullet Drop Explained: Why Your Zero Matters
Bullet drop explained — why bullets fall, how zero distance works, and how velocity and BC change your trajectory.
Best 7.62x54R Ammo for the Mosin-Nagant
The best 7.62x54R ammo for a Mosin-Nagant — cheap surplus for plinking, brass-cased for cleaner shooting, and soft points for hunting.
Shotgun Chokes Explained: Matching Choke to Your Load
Shotgun chokes explained — cylinder to full, how choke tightens patterns, and which choke to use for defense, birds, and turkey.
Barrel Twist Rate Explained: Matching Ammo to Your Rifle
Rifle twist rate explained — what 1:7 vs 1:9 means, how it pairs with bullet weight, and why it affects accuracy.
Best 5.7x28mm Ammo (Defense & Range)
The best 5.7x28mm ammo — defensive and range loads for the high-velocity PDW round, plus what makes it unique.
Surplus Ammo Guide: Is Military Surplus Worth Buying?
A guide to military surplus ammo — common surplus calibers, corrosive primers, value, and what to check before you buy.
Best Ammo for an AR Pistol / SBR (Short Barrels)
The best ammo for short-barreled AR pistols and SBRs — bullets that perform from short barrels in 5.56 and .300 Blackout.
Best Shotgun Ammo for Home Defense
The best home-defense shotgun ammo — why reduced-recoil 00 buckshot wins, gauge and load choices, and patterning for your home.
.357 SIG vs .40 S&W: Is the Bottleneck Worth It?
.357 SIG vs .40 S&W compared — velocity, recoil, capacity, and cost — to decide if the high-velocity bottleneck round is worth it.
.300 WSM vs .300 Win Mag: Short Mag or Classic?
.300 WSM vs .300 Win Mag compared — performance parity, action length, efficiency, and ammo availability for elk and long range.
.45-70 vs .444 Marlin: Big-Bore Lever Gun Showdown
.45-70 Government vs .444 Marlin compared — recoil, trajectory, bullet selection, and which big-bore lever cartridge is right for you.
Best Ammo for the Money: Value Picks by Caliber
The best value ammo by caliber — where to find reliable, cheap rounds for 9mm, 5.56, .22LR and more, and how to judge cost per round.
Subsonic vs Supersonic Ammo: What's the Difference?
Subsonic vs supersonic ammo explained — the sound barrier, why subsonic is quieter (especially suppressed), and the trade-offs.
Best Ammo for the Glock 43 / 43X (Micro 9mm Carry)
The best 9mm ammo for a Glock 43 or 43X — reliable defensive hollow points for a micro-compact and soft-shooting practice loads.
Ammo Headstamps Explained: Reading the Bottom of a Cartridge
Ammo headstamps explained — what the markings on a cartridge base mean, how to identify caliber and maker, and spotting military vs commercial.
Lead, FMJ, and TMJ Ammo: What's the Difference?
Lead vs FMJ vs TMJ ammo explained — exposed lead, jacketed, and totally enclosed bullets, plus which is best for indoor ranges.
What Is Ballistic Coefficient (BC)? A Plain-English Guide
Ballistic coefficient explained — what BC measures, why high-BC bullets buck wind and drop less, and when it actually matters.
What Is MOA? Minute of Angle Explained Simply
MOA (minute of angle) explained for shooters — what it means, the inch-per-100-yards rule, and how to use it to sight in and judge accuracy.
Boxer vs Berdan Primers: Why It Matters for Reloading
Boxer vs Berdan primers explained — how to tell them apart, why Boxer brass is reloadable, and which ammo uses each.
Best .30-30 Ammo for Deer Hunting
The best .30-30 Winchester ammo for deer — flat-nose and polymer-tip lever-gun loads, plus range tips for the classic woods cartridge.
Best Ammo for Steel Targets (Safety & Picks)
The best ammo for steel targets — why you need plain lead/jacketed (not steel-core or M855), safe distances, and budget picks.
Best Ammo for Turkey Hunting (Shotshell Guide)
The best turkey hunting ammo — lead, TSS, and tungsten loads by gauge and shot size, plus how to pattern your shotgun for a clean kill.
Best Ammo for the Ruger 10/22 (.22 LR)
The best .22 LR ammo for a Ruger 10/22 — reliable high-velocity loads for plinking and accurate options for tighter groups.
.38 Special vs 9mm: Revolver vs Semi-Auto for Carry
.38 Special vs 9mm compared — capacity, recoil, reloading speed, and cost — to choose between a revolver and a semi-auto for defense.
.30-06 vs .300 Win Mag: Do You Need the Magnum?
.30-06 vs .300 Win Mag compared — energy, recoil, range, and cost to decide whether the magnum's extra power is worth it.
7mm-08 vs .308 Winchester: Short-Action Hunting Duel
7mm-08 vs .308 Winchester compared — recoil, trajectory, bullet selection, and which short-action cartridge is better for deer and elk.
.243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Which to Hunt With?
.243 Win vs 6.5 Creedmoor compared — recoil, range, bullet weight, and which is the better deer and dual-purpose cartridge.
Range Ammo vs Carry Ammo: Why You Need Both
Range ammo vs carry ammo explained — why you practice with FMJ but carry JHP, how to match them, and how much of each to buy.
Why Is Ammo So Expensive? (And How to Pay Less)
Why ammo prices rise — demand, raw materials, politics, and supply shocks — plus practical ways to pay less per round right now.
Reloading vs Buying Ammo: Is Handloading Worth It?
Reloading vs buying ammo — the real cost savings, break-even point, time investment, and which calibers are worth handloading.
Shotgun Shells Explained: Birdshot, Buckshot, and Slugs
Shotgun ammo explained — birdshot vs buckshot vs slugs, shot sizes, shell length, and which load to use for birds, defense, and deer.
How Much Ammo Should You Stockpile?
How much ammo to stockpile — practical per-caliber targets for training, defense, and hunting, plus rotation and storage tips.
Ammo Shipping Laws by State: Where You Can Order Online
A plain-English overview of ammo shipping laws by state — which states restrict online ammo, require an FFL/dealer, or have ID/permit rules.
How to Fly With Ammo: TSA Rules for Air Travel
How to fly with ammunition — TSA and airline rules for packing ammo in checked baggage, quantity limits, and what's prohibited.
Best Cheap Target & Range Ammo by Caliber
The best cheap range ammo for high-volume target practice — reliable bulk FMJ picks in 9mm, 5.56, .22LR and more, and how to buy for less.
Best Ammo for Coyote Hunting by Caliber
The best coyote hunting ammo — fast, frangible varmint loads in .223/5.56, .22-250, .243 and more for clean kills and pelt care.
Best Ammo for a 1911 (.45 ACP Carry & Range)
The best .45 ACP ammo for a 1911 — reliable defensive hollow points, accurate range FMJ, and feeding tips for the classic platform.
Best Ammo for Bear Defense by Caliber
The best bear defense ammo — hard-cast and deep-penetrating loads in 10mm, .44 Mag, .45 Colt and more for the backcountry.
5.56 vs 7.62x39 in an AR-15: Which Should You Build?
5.56 vs 7.62x39 for an AR-15 build — reliability, ballistics, magazines, and cost — to decide which caliber AR is right for you.
.350 Legend vs .450 Bushmaster: Straight-Wall Showdown
.350 Legend vs .450 Bushmaster compared — recoil, range, deer effectiveness, and which straight-wall AR cartridge to choose.
.300 Win Mag vs 7mm Rem Mag: Best Magnum for Big Game?
.300 Win Mag vs 7mm Rem Mag compared — trajectory, recoil, bullet selection, and which magnum is better for elk and long-range hunting.
.45 ACP vs .45 Colt: Same Bullet, Different Worlds
.45 ACP vs .45 Colt compared — semi-auto vs revolver, power, recoil, and which .45 is right for defense, cowboy action, or hunting.
10mm Auto vs .45 ACP: Power, Recoil, and Use Case
10mm Auto vs .45 ACP compared — velocity and energy, recoil, capacity, and which is better for hunting, bear defense, and carry.
How Ammo Choice Affects Cleaning Your Gun
How your ammo choice — steel vs brass, corrosive surplus, lead vs jacketed — affects gun cleaning, and simple habits to keep your firearm running.
What Is Match-Grade Ammo? (And Is It Worth It?)
Match-grade ammo explained — what makes it more accurate, when it's worth the extra cost, and when standard ammo is fine.
Does Ammo Expire? How Long Ammunition Really Lasts
Does ammo go bad? How long ammunition lasts, what actually degrades it, and how to store it so it stays reliable for decades.
Rimfire vs Centerfire Ammo: What's the Difference?
Rimfire vs centerfire explained — how each primer works, why centerfire is reloadable, and which calibers are which.
What Is +P Ammo? (+P and +P+ Explained)
+P and +P+ ammo explained — what the pressure rating means, whether it's safe in your gun, and when the extra power is worth it.
Best Ammo for Suppressors (Subsonic Picks)
The best subsonic ammo for suppressed shooting — quiet .22 LR, 9mm, .300 Blackout and more, plus why subsonic matters for cans.
Best Low-Recoil Ammo for New & Recoil-Sensitive Shooters
The best low-recoil ammo by caliber — reduced-recoil loads and lighter options for new shooters, smaller frames, and comfortable practice.
Best Ammo for Hog Hunting by Caliber
The best hog hunting ammo and calibers — tough, deep-penetrating bullets in 5.56, .300 BLK, 7.62x39, .308 and more for wild pigs.
Best Ammo for the AK-47 (7.62x39)
The best 7.62x39 ammo for an AK-47 — reliable bulk steel-case for range, brass for cleaner shooting, and hunting soft points.
Best Ammo for the Glock 19 (Carry & Range)
The best 9mm ammo for a Glock 19 — reliable defensive hollow points and cheap range FMJ — plus how to test it and buy for less.
.308 vs .270 Winchester: Best All-Around Hunting Rifle?
.308 Winchester vs .270 Winchester for hunting — trajectory, recoil, bullet selection, and which is the better all-around big-game round.
12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge: Which Shotgun Should You Buy?
12 gauge vs 20 gauge compared for home defense, hunting, and clays — recoil, payload, versatility, and ammo cost.
.22 LR vs .22 Magnum: Which Rimfire Should You Buy?
.22 LR vs .22 WMR (Magnum) compared on power, range, cost, and use case — plinking and small game versus more reach and energy.
.300 Blackout vs 5.56: Which AR Caliber Is Right for You?
.300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO compared — subsonic/suppressor use, short barrels, range, and cost — to choose the right AR-15 chambering.
.357 Magnum vs .38 Special: What's the Difference?
.357 Magnum vs .38 Special explained — why you can shoot .38 in a .357 revolver, power and recoil differences, and which to buy.
.40 S&W vs 9mm: Which Pistol Caliber Wins in 2026?
.40 S&W vs 9mm compared on recoil, capacity, terminal performance, and cost per round — and why so many agencies went back to 9mm.
7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO: AK vs AR Ammo Compared
7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO compared on ballistics, penetration, cost, and use case — which rifle round is right for you.
9mm Grain Weights Explained: 115 vs 124 vs 147
115 vs 124 vs 147 grain 9mm compared: recoil, velocity, and which to use for practice, carry, and suppressed shooting.
How Many Rounds Are in a Box of Ammo?
How many rounds come in a box of ammo by caliber — typical box and case counts for 9mm, 5.56, .22LR, shotgun, and more.
Is It Legal to Buy Ammo Online? What to Know in 2026
Is buying ammo online legal? A plain-English overview of federal rules, state restrictions, and how online ammo delivery works.
Brass vs Steel vs Aluminum Ammo Cases: Which Is Best?
Brass vs steel vs aluminum ammo cases compared on reliability, cost, reloadability, and range rules — and which to buy.
How to Store Ammo: Keep It Reliable for Years
How to store ammunition properly — temperature, humidity, containers, and shelf life — so your ammo stays reliable for decades.
How to Buy Ammo in Bulk and Actually Save Money
A practical guide to buying ammo in bulk: when bulk pays off, shipping math, storage, and how to time your purchase for the lowest cost.
How Much Does Ammo Cost? A 2026 Price Guide by Caliber
How much ammo costs in 2026 by caliber — typical cost per round for 9mm, 5.56, .22LR and more, and how to pay less per round.
FMJ vs JHP: What's the Difference and When to Use Each
FMJ vs JHP ammo explained: how each bullet works, why JHP is for defense and FMJ for practice, and how to save money buying both.
What Does Grain Mean in Ammo? (Bullet Weight Explained)
Grain weight in ammo explained simply: what gr means, how bullet weight affects recoil and trajectory, and which grain to choose.
Best Bulk 5.56 Ammo: Cheapest Ways to Feed Your AR
The best bulk 5.56 ammo for high-volume shooting — what to look for in case-quantity FMJ and how to time your purchase for the lowest price.
Best .22LR Ammo for Plinking and Target Shooting
The best .22LR ammo for plinking: reliable, accurate, affordable rimfire picks, plus high-velocity vs standard and how to buy in bulk.
Best Ammo for Deer Hunting: Calibers and Bullets That Work
The best deer hunting ammo and calibers — from .243 to .30-06 — plus how to pick the right bullet and find it in stock for less.
Best Ammo for Concealed Carry in 2026
How to choose the best concealed carry ammo: caliber, hollow points, reliability testing, and buying practice ammo affordably.
Best Ammo for Home Defense: Handgun, Shotgun, and Rifle
The best home-defense ammo by firearm type — handgun JHP, 12 gauge buckshot, and AR-15 loads — with over-penetration and reliability tips.
Best Ammo for the AR-15: Range, Defense, and Hunting
The best AR-15 ammo for every job: cheap bulk practice loads, defensive rounds, and hunting bullets — plus how to buy 5.56/.223 for less.
Best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense in 2026
The best 9mm self-defense ammo: what to look for in a defensive hollow point, recommended grain weights, and how to buy it for less.
.308 vs .30-06: The Classic Hunting Caliber Debate
.308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield compared for hunting: ballistics, recoil, rifle action length, and ammo cost.
.380 ACP vs 9mm: Which Is Right for Concealed Carry?
.380 vs 9mm for concealed carry: stopping power, recoil, pistol size, and cost per round compared to help you choose.
6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Winchester: Which to Buy?
6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 compared for hunting and long range: recoil, ballistics, barrel life, availability, and cost per round.
5.56 NATO vs .223 Remington: Can You Shoot Both?
5.56 vs .223 explained: chamber pressure differences, which is safe in your rifle, ballistics, and cost per round for AR-15 owners.
9mm vs .45 ACP: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
9mm vs .45 ACP compared on stopping power, recoil, capacity, and cost per round — plus which is cheaper to shoot and better for self-defense.
How to find cheap 9mm Ammo
In this post we discuss some of the best places to find cheap (but good) 9mm ammo
Why we choose brass over steel and aluminum casings
Here we discuss the pros and cons of different casing materials and why we believe brass is superior
How to find cheap 5.56 NATO Ammo
In this post we discuss some of the best places to find cheap 5.56 NATO ammo