Different Types of Ammunition (and Which One to Use)

I can appreciate the confusion hunters face when selecting the correct ammunition. When I first started hunting upland birds, considering the different types of ammunition I could use was overwhelming. 

Which gauge? What shot size for what bird? What shell length? What material should the pellets be made of? 

That selection process became even more complicated when I added waterfowl hunting to my list of activities. And when I started hunting whitetails and mule deer out West? Ammunition selection went from overwhelming to mind-boggling. 

So, which ammo should you use for your hunt? Keep reading as we talk about types of ammunition and how to pick the right one.

Why Ammunition Selection is Critical

Finding the correct caliber, cartridge, or shell isn’t about making the gun send a projectile, or multiple projectiles, down range. Understanding how bullet design and weight affect accuracy and terminal ballistics is critical for ethically harvesting game animals. 

After all, ammunition is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. You must be selective when choosing your ammunition based on the firearm you carry, the distance you anticipate shooting, the size of the animal, as well as federal and state regulations on minimum calibers and lead vs. non-lead ammunition.

Centerfire vs. Rimfire: What’s the Difference?

Let’s start with the basics of the two primary types of ammunition: rimfire and centerfire. 

Rimfire ammunition, like the .22 LR, is affordable and designed for low-power shooting. The primer compound is located in the rim of the cartridge case, and the cartridge is not reloadable. Rimfire ammo is excellent for training and small game, such as squirrels and rabbits. 

Centerfire ammunition is the most common design for shotgun shells and large game cartridges. The primer is positioned in the center of the cartridge base. It creates a larger detonation to ignite more powder, resulting in higher-pressure cartridges that are necessary for larger game animals, such as deer, elk, moose, and bears.

The cartridge type you choose depends on the game you’re hunting and state regulations on minimum caliber requirements. 

Different Types of Ammunition for Big Game

Hunting big game calls for rifle cartridges with a proven history of accuracy and lethality.

Here are a few of the most commonly used rounds: 

• 6.5 Creedmoor is a newer cartridge designed for longer-distance target shooting. The ammunition’s accuracy, high velocity, and low recoil make it a favorite among Western big game hunters. Bullets are available in weights ranging from 90 to 147 grains.
• .270 Winchester is a flat-shooting cartridge developed in 1925. It has been a popular choice for medium-sized game, such as whitetail deer and antelope. Bullets are available in weights ranging from 90 to 105 grains.
• .30-06 Springfield is considered an American classic, developed in 1906. It has been used with great success by hunters on animals ranging from whitetail deer to black bears. Bullets are available in weights ranging from 110 to 220 grains.
• .308 Winchester is a popular deer and elk cartridge known for its balance between power and accuracy. Bullets are available in weights ranging from 150 to 185 grains.

Shotgun Ammunition for Birds and Big Game

What type of ammunition is used in a shotgun? Thanks to a shotgun’s smooth bore, a variety of loads can be used to create a truly versatile hunting firearm. 

These loads include:

• 

  Birdshot (shot sizes #1-#12) is used for hunting a variety of upland birds, turkey, and waterfowl. In general, the larger the bird, the smaller the shot size. Quail and dove hunters often use #6-#8 shot, while pheasant and waterfowl hunters typically opt for #4. Goose hunters, on the other hand, will use as large a shot size as #1. 
  
  
• Buckshot ranges in size from #4 buck (0.24 inches diameter ball) to 0000 buck (0.38 inches diameter ball). It is used for close-range deer hunting when rifles are impractical or not allowed. 
  
  
• Slugs are a single projectile designed to transfer maximum energy and penetration, making the shotgun a lethal short-range big game weapon. 

Handgun Ammunition for Hunting

Handguns are often used as primary hunting weapons for whitetails and feral hogs. Hunters also frequently use them as backup weapons in states that allow archery hunters to carry a firearm in bear country. 

Popular calibers include the .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .454 Casull. These cartridges deliver sufficient energy and first-round accuracy to be lethal on medium-sized game at close ranges. 

Note that most states restrict handgun carry and handgun hunting to specific seasons, species, and calibers. Many states also have minimum barrel lengths and action type restrictions for handguns used primarily for hunting. 

Specialty Ammunition: Muzzleloaders and Air Rifles

In addition to your typical firearms and ammunition options, hunters also have the opportunity to use specialty firearms (when and where it's legal).

Muzzleloaders

Muzzleloading enthusiasts have a wide range of bullets they can use with a rifled barrel. Round lead balls, conicals, and sabots offer the muzzleloading hunter a variety of performance and accuracy characteristics.

• Round balls are the most traditional projectile, but also the least accurate.
• Conicals resemble modern handgun bullets but have grooves that utilize the barrel’s rifling to spin the bullet.
• Sabots tend to resemble a modern rifle bullet encased in a plastic case. They are the most accurate of the three types of projectiles.

Note that many Western states prohibit the use of sabots.

Air Rifles

Air rifles use compressed air to fire a single pellet. Many hunters favor these firearms for pest control and small game hunting (where allowed).

The three main calibers for air rifles are .177, .22, and .25. While these low-powered projectiles can be lethal to small animals, their limited energy requires precision to be effective. 

Bullet Types: Which Design Is Best?

Different types of ammunition use various bullet designs and shapes to strike a balance between precision and terminal ballistics. 

Generally speaking, soft point (SP) bullets are designed to penetrate tissue and expand. Hollow points (HP) expand rapidly when contacting tissue and will often not penetrate as deeply as SP bullets.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition is designed for maximum penetration and is not recommended for hunting. 

The polymer-tipped bullet is a jacketed hollow-point bullet with a polymer insert in the hollow-point cavity. This tip enhances aerodynamic performance, resulting in improved accuracy over longer ranges. Upon impact, the polymer tip is pushed into the bullet, creating rapid expansion and maximizing tissue damage. 

When Hunting, What Type of Ammunition Should You Carry?

Selecting the best ammo involves finding the right balance of performance, game size, shot distance, and local hunting laws. 

• A good starting point is considering .22 LR, birdshot, or .22 air rifle pellets for small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, and smaller birds. 
• Shotgun slugs and centerfire rifle cartridges excel on medium-sized game, such as whitetail deer, antelope, and coyotes. 
• For larger game, such as bear, elk, moose, and some mule deer, consider stepping up to any of the 30-caliber options (.30-06, .308, .300 Winchester Magnum, etc.) for optimal penetration and lethality. 

As always, be aware of your state’s legal minimum calibers and bullet restrictions for each game species.

Legal Considerations and Local Regulations

Many states now require the use of non-toxic shot (steel, bismuth, or tungsten) for waterfowl as well as hunting other species on national refuges. Other restrictions may apply to bullet composition, minimum caliber requirements, and specific specifications for different species and locations.

Check with your state’s fish and game website or printed hunting regulations booklet before you start the season. Ammunition laws can change frequently, and any violation can result in a significant penalty and possible loss of hunting privileges. 

That’s why you should double-check your ammo before heading into the field. Even if you aren’t using lead shot on your duck hunt, having a lead shot cartridge in your vest or bandolier will get you a ticket. 

Practice to Find the Right Ammunition for Your Hunt

As with all aspects of hunting, practice is key.

Ammunition acts differently based on caliber, bullet weight, bullet design, and even by manufacturer. That’s why you should practice with the ammo you plan to hunt with. 

Know the ammunition’s effective range and terminal performance. Avoid taking any shots that are outside those parameters. 

Remember: With ammunition, you get what you pay for, so make sure you invest in quality ammunition from reputable manufacturers. When performance and consistency matter, ammunition is not the place to cut corners. 

Learn More About Firearms and Ammunition with Hunter Education

Selecting the best ammo for your hunt is just one consideration for the ethical hunter. From rimfire to birdshot to polymer-tipped magnum cartridges, using the proper ammunition can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful harvest.

Before heading out for your hunt, make sure you’re fully prepared to make this choice and other critical hunting decisions by completing an online, state-approved hunter safety course through ilearntohunt. Each state-specific course helps you learn essential hunting and safety fundamentals, including firearm safety, shot placement, equipment selection, fieldcraft, first aid, and game processing.

Plus, most states have hunter education requirements before hunters can hunt legally. As you prepare for your fall hunt, take the ilearntohunt course for your state!