How to Choose Ammo for Hunting
You've got your hunting license and your deer blind, your camouflage and your weapon, and now all you need is the right ammunition. However, finding the right ammo for your particular purpose is not as simple as it may seem. Calibers, tips, types, grains, shapes and sizes all vary, and each has its own particular benefit and detriment. There is as much to know about ammunition as you have time to learn.
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Instructions
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Decide where you will hunt. Certain areas of the country--and certain lands within those areas--are better for specific animals than for others, so location is important when you decide you want to hunt.
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Select the type of animal you will be hunting. When choosing, you should take into account personal preference, desire for a trophy (antlers), taste and location.
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Choose your weapon based on the type of animal you will be hunting. For example, a shotgun, with its spray of buckshot, is better for flying targets while a rifle is better for precision, power shooting.
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Decide what caliber and weight cartridge you want to shoot. If you're expecting many long, clear shots from over 100 yards or so, you may want to go with a smaller, faster bullet like a .223 or a .270 at about 130 grains. These bullets are faster and cover more distance.
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Purchase your ammunition after choosing the type of bullet you want. You could get a hollow-point bullet, for instance, to increase lethality while decreasing the risk of collateral damage.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider the skin of your prey. The general rule is that the higher the caliber, the larger and slower the projectile. Low-caliber bullets are faster and smaller. Due to their size and velocity, low-caliber projectiles are better at penetrating the tough skin of your prey.
The bigger the bullet, the bigger the kick. You should remember to choose ammo that fits the hunter, as firing a bullet too big for you can be painful and unsafe.
Some counties only allow hunting with hollow-point ammunition. Hunting laws vary from county to county, so make sure to check your local laws before you go off on the hunt.
Always treat your hunting weapon as if it is loaded, as it could go off at any moment.
Know your weapon and your ammunition. No matter what you're shooting, always be very aware of what is behind your shot.
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Comments
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Jebadias
May 25, 2008
This is an interesting article. I have NEVER heard of hunting thick skinned animals at long range with a .223 before. I would just ignore this except that somebody may actually try it. Let us examine some facts here. Most .223 round come in sizes from 36 - 77 grains. The larger .308 generally comes in sizes of 150 - 180 grains. A .223 weighing 60 grains will have around 1300ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and around 260ft/lbs at 500 yards. The .308 at 180 grains will generally have 2700ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and 1350ft/lbs at 500 yards. That is more at 500 yards than the .223 has at the muzzle! Although some of the things in this article are true, I would suggest that anybody who reads this article forget it and go to a reputable website or thier local gun store for information. As for the author of this article, you should be ashamed of posting an article on a serious -
Jebadias
May 25, 2008
This is an interesting article. I have NEVER heard of hunting thick skinned animals at long range with a .223 before. I would just ignore this except that somebody may actually try it. Let us examine some facts here. Most .223 round come in sizes from 36 - 77 grains. The larger .308 generally comes in sizes of 150 - 180 grains. A .223 weighing 60 grains will have around 1300ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and around 260ft/lbs at 500 yards. The .308 at 180 grains will generally have 2700ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and 1350ft/lbs at 500 yards. That is more at 500 yards than the .223 has at the muzzle! Although some of the things in this article are true, I would suggest that anybody who reads this article forget it and go to a reputable website or thier local gun store for information. As for the author of this article, you should be ashamed of posting an article on a serious
