As hunters, we know that choosing the right ammunition is crucial for success in the field. The type of game, the hunting environment, and shot placement all play a significant role in selecting the appropriate ammunition. In this article, we’ll cover the fundamentals of choosing the best ammunition for hunting to increase your chances of a successful hunt.
The Different Types of Ammunition
Common types of ammunition include full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, hollow point rounds, and soft point rounds. FMJ rounds are best for target practice or plinking, while hollow points offer increased stopping power and expansion upon impact, making them ideal for hunting. Soft point rounds carry a similar benefit to hollow points, but with greater accuracy, and are designed to expand upon impact.
Characteristics of Different Types of Ammunition
Bullet weight, velocity, and caliber are all essential characteristics that will impact the performance of the ammunition. Bullet weight can have a significant effect on how the bullet will react upon impact, as it will either stay in the target, or if it is a hollow-point or soft-point, it may expand and cause more damage to the target. Velocity can also affect the desired result, as a faster bullet can create more stopping power and be useful when the target is further away. Lastly, caliber, which refers to the size of the bullet, is essential as different animals are more likely to be killed with larger or smaller calibers. Common rounds include .22 LR for small game, .308 for medium game, and .30-06 for larger game.
