Ammunition for the Wild: Choosing the Right Ammo for Your Outdoor Adventures

Looking to buy the right ammunition for your next outdoor activity? This guide will run through the different types of ammo and which works best for what. I’ll also talk about how to keep yourself safe in the wild and where you can buy the best ammunition.

Know Your Firearm

First things first—you gotta know your gun. Sounds too obvious? You’d be surprised how many folks don’t realize that not all ammo works with all firearms. 

The most basic types of guns are handguns, rifles, and shotguns, and they all use different types of ammunition. For example, handguns use pistol rounds like 9mm or .45 ACP. What about rifles? Well they fire more powerful rounds like .223 or 308. And shotguns? Depending on what you’re trying to aim at, shotgun shells could be loaded with either birdshot, buckshot or slugs.

That being said, it’s extremely important to pay attention to your gun and what it’s built for. Check out the barrel and what’s stamped on it—if it says 9mm, you already know you should load it with 9mm rounds. Not following this is just asking for trouble, trust me. You don’t want your gun to jam or misfire on you, especially if you’re far from home with no one to help.

What’s another rookie mistake? Thinking “a bullet is a bullet” or some nonsense. Some ammunition serves a specific purpose, which means using the wrong one could either mess up your shot, or your gun. 

That’s why before going on any outdoor trip, know your firearm and match it with the right ammo so you can avoid any mishap when you’re out in the wild.

Types of Ammunition

Let’s start with the basics. When it comes to ammo, there are two main types: rimfire and centerfire. What’s the difference you ask?

Rimfire ammunition is smaller and lighter. If you’re wondering, it’s called rimfire because the firing pin hits the rim of the casing which ignites the powder. One example is the .22 LR or long rifle. It’s cheap and has low recoil, so it’s great for small game hunting (or even just plinking cans). It’s not advisable for bigger animals or trying to defend yourself, so don’t use it for anything like that.

On the other hand, centerfire is used for shooting larger firearms. It’s called centerfire because the firing pin hits the center of the casing, and that makes it more powerful and reliable than rimfire. A lot of handgun ammunition, rifle and shogun ammo are centerfire.

So now we know the basics, let’s get into the specifics.

• Handgun Ammo: Probably the most common handgun rounds you’ve heard are the 9mm, .45 ACP, and .40 S&W. For self-defense purposes, you can’t go wrong with 9mm because it’s affordable, easy to handle and has decent stopping power. .45 ACP packs a wallop, but be careful because it’s harder to control. If you’re just into general plinking or small game hunting, a .22 LR pistol should be fine.

• Rifle Ammo: For long-range shooting or hunting, rifles are your best bet. For a lot of hunters, .223 Remington is their round of choice—it’s accurate and doesn’t kick too hard. Perfect for smaller game or target shooting. If you’re into bigger game, look for something like the .308 Winchester, which is enough to take down deer or elk. These rounds have more power and range, so it’s great for long-distance shooting.

• Shotgun Shells: Shotguns are one of the most versatile firearms. What you’re shooting at will basically determine what type of shell you need to load on it. Birdshot is for birds and other small critters, while buckshot is enough for bigger game like deer or to defend yourself. And if you want something that really packs a punch? Slugs give your shotgun video-game style power, with enough range and knockdown power for the most dangerous animals out in the wilderness.

So what have we learned? Pick the right ammo for the job. Use rimfire rounds for small game or plinking, but for more serious long-range hunting, go for centerfire rifle ammunition or shotgun shells.

The Right Ammo for Hunting and Self-Defense

Picking the right ammunition not only makes or breaks your hunt, it could spell the difference between life and death. 

When hunting, the goal is always a clean and quick kill, nothing fancy. For small game, a .22 LR or birdshot should be more than enough. They’re light and easy to shoot, which makes them perfect for taking down small critters like rabbits, squirrels or birds. The best part is you won’t be destroying too much meat with this ammunition.

For big game like deer, elk or even a bear, you’ll need something stronger. A .308 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield have enough power to take down these animals with a single well-placed shot.

How about for your personal defense? When you’re out in the wild, you need to stock ammo that’s quick to dispose of any threat. For handguns, a 9mm or .45 ACP loaded with hollow-points should suffice. Hollow-points expand on impact to deliver more stopping power, which is something you’ll need to stop any threat as fast as possible. 

If you’re looking for extra protection and peace of mind? Use buckshot or slugs in your shotgun. If that doesn’t stop any potential threat out in the woods, nothing will.

Where to Buy Quality Ammo

Quality matters when it comes to ammunition. Cheap ammo might save you a few bucks up front, but at what cost? The last thing you want is to be out in the wild and have a round misfire, or even worse, damage your firearm. 

That’s why buying your ammo from trusted sources needs to be your top priority. And if you’re looking for top-quality ammo for sale at a great price, you should shop at BulkMunitions to get everything you need to purchase for your next outdoor adventure.

Want to Learn More About Hunting?

If you’re curious about where you should be hunting, here’s a guide on the best hunting spots in the US. And if you’re thinking about getting into camping but don’t know where to start, read about the best family tents for car camping.