Ammo & Reloading [The Definitive Resource]

Ammo and reloading

Not sure of the best ammo for you gun? Learn about the different types of ammo that’s best for different purposes such as range, hunting, & home defense. And then find our favorite picks for each type of firearm from pistol to rifle and shotgun.

Table of Contents

General guides, specific recommendations, and how to reload your own ammo...we've got it all.

Chapter 1

Ammo Guides & Where to Buy Online

Start here to learn about ammo basics, where to find the best ammo deals online, and the current in-stock choices.

Chapter 2

Pistol Ammo Recommendations

Find out the best brands for common pistol & revolver plinking ammo to the best hollow point defensive ammo.

  • Handgun Caliber Guide
    BY Eric Hung,

    Quickly learn the pros/cons of the 10 most popular handgun calibers. We'll also cover average price, recoil, and recommended self-defense ammo for each.

  • Best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense & Range
    BY Eric Hung,

    Want the best 9mm ammo for self defense and range shooting? We utilize FBI ballistic gel tests that measure penetration and expansion.

  • Best .22 LR Rimfire Ammo
    BY Eric Hung,

    Too many choices? We'll help you choose the best .22 LR rimfire ammo for plinking, accuracy, hunting, and even sub-sonic loads.

  • Best .45 ACP Ammo
    BY Eric Hung,

    Want the best .45 ACP ammo for home defense? We look at FBI tests for penetration and expansion. Plus our favorite picks for range and plinking ammo to save you money.

  • Best .40 S&W Ammo
    BY Eric Hung,

    Want the best .40 ammo possible...at the best prices? Read on for quick recommendations of self-defense and target ammo based on ballistics gel data.

  • Best .38 Special & .357 Magnum Ammo
    BY Jacki Billings,

    How do you pick the best ammo for your revolver? We cover the best .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammo for anything from home defense to plinking and hunting.

  • Best .380 Ammo
    BY Travis Pike,

    Need recommendations for the best .380 self-defense and plinking rounds? These personal picks bring out the best capability of the diminutive round.

  • .380 vs 9mm Battle
    BY Brandon Harville,

    Think the .380 ACP is just an inferior version of the 9mm? We take a look at the pros and cons of each caliber and choose the best for self-defense.

  • Best 10mm Ammo
    BY Travis Pike,

    Need ammo for your mightly 10mm? We go over our favorite picks for the best 10mm ammo for Self-Defense, Hunting, and affordable Plinking.

  • Best 5.7x28mm Guns and Ammo: New Renaissance
    BY Megan Kriss AND Jacki Billings,

    FN's 5.7x28mm round is experiencing a renaissance with new pistols and rifles. We go over our top picks of 5.7 guns plus the best available ammo choices.

  • Best .44 Magnum Ammo
    BY Matthew Collins,

    What's the best .44 Magnum ammo for your purpose? We go over our tested favorites for hunting, self-defense, lever action, and even general plinking.

Chapter 3

Rifle Ammo Recommendations

From the AR-15 to the AK-47 and everything in between…we’ve got all our favorite rifle ammo recommendations right here.

  • General Ammo Guides

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Complete Rifle Caliber Guide
      BY Eric Hung,

      Quickly learn about the pros and cons of popular rifle calibers with our handy guide. We also cover average price, recoil, and recommended ammo for each.

    • Hunting Ammo: The Complete Guide
      BY Travis Pike,

      Choosing the perfect hunting round is a subject of much debate. Our hunting ammo guide will help you choose the ideal round for your next hunt.

  • AR-15 Specific

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Best AR-15 Ammo for Range & Home Defense
      BY Eric Hung,

      Find out the best ammo for your AR-15 for range plinking or home defense. We'll cover cheap FMJ rounds, Green Tip, and even hollow points for self-defense.

    • .223 vs 5.56 vs .223 Wylde
      BY Matthew Collins,

      Want to quickly know the difference between .223 vs 5.56 and potential safety concerns? We cover both plus .223 Wylde so you'll know the best for your gun.

    • Best .300 Blackout Ammo
      BY Travis Pike AND Jacki Billings,

      .300 AAC Blackout ammo comes in lots of flavors from training to home defense to hunting, we took a look at the whole range of ammo and picked out our top favorites for each type so that you can save time and money!

    • .300 Blackout vs 5.56
      BY Travis Pike,

      Thinking of going .300 Blackout? Find out how it compares to the 5.56 in ballistics and knockdown power.

    • Federal M vs XM (5.56) and XM193 vs XM855
      BY Eric Hung,

      Confused? We quickly explain XM193 vs M855, X vs XM, 193 vs 855, penetration differences, and more. Plus our favorite brand recommendations for each.

  • Longer Range Calibers

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

  • Rimfire Cartridges

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Best .22LR Rimfire Ammo
      BY Eric Hung,

      Too many choices? We'll help you choose the best .22 LR rimfire ammo for plinking, accuracy, hunting, and even sub-sonic loads.

    • .17 HMR Guide
      BY Aden Tate,

      Want to know more about .17 HMR? Find out all about this handy cartridge, what it does, why you'd want one, the best ammo, and our favorite guns.

Chapter 4

Shotgun Ammo Recommendations

Looking to feed your shotgun? Here’s everything we’ve got from birdshot to buckshot and even slugs.

Chapter 5

Reloading

Ready to make your own ammo for savings and increased accuracy? These guides will help you out from beginning to end with reloading basics to choosing the right equipment and then building up your load.

  • General Guides

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Beginner's Guide to Reloading
      BY Eric Hung,

      Want to save money and shoot more accurately? Reloading your own ammo is the key! We go over all the steps of reloading plus sample setups for all budgets.

  • Gear & Components

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Best Reloading Presses [2018]
      BY Jonathan Kilburn,

      There are so many reloading presses. Quickly find out which is the best reloading press for your specific shooting volume, caliber, and budget needs.

    • Best Places to Buy Reloading Components
      BY Eric Hung,

      There's so many places to buy reloading supplies online. Find out where we and other high-output reloaders get our powder, primers, cases, and bullets.

    • Brass vs Nickel Cases
      BY Eric Hung,

      What's the difference between Brass and Nickel Plated Brass cases? We'll go over the pros and cons of each with regards to ammo and reloading.

    • Berry's vs X-Treme Bullets
      BY Eric Hung,

      Find out the narrow winner in our battle of the budget plated bullets between Xtreme Bullets and Berry's bullets. We cover price, appearance, and performance.

    • Reloading Data Tools
      BY Megan Kriss,

      Want reloading data that's correct, updated, and free? We cover the best sources for popular powders like Hogdon, Alliant, Accurate, & VihtaVuori.

  • Procedures

    BY Sean Curtis,

    We tested the Labradar LX to see if this chronograph can measure up to other ones (ahem Garmin Xero C1 Pro) on the market.

    • Beginner Load Development
      BY Annette Evans,

      Want to reload the best ammo possible for your gun? We walk through load development from component selection to laddering and shooting/measuring groups.

    • Developing a Hunting Game Load
      BY Brandon Harville,

      Developing your own specialty load for your rifle is one of the most fun - and rewarding - things you can do as a shooter. Here's how to get started.

    • Steel Media Tumbling
      BY Gun Noob,

      Thinking about switching to steel media? Learn why you should totally do it, what to buy, how to save money, and tips to get the shiniest & cleanest brass.

    • Supersonic Cleaner Reviews
      BY Eric Hung,

      Want to save time, keep your hands clean, and get ridiculously clean brass? Check out our hands-on review of the best ultrasonic cleaners: Hornady vs Lyman.

    • Shotgun Reloading Like The Pros
      BY Annette Evans,

      Shotgun reloads can make or break a 3Gun match. Learn how to load shells quickly like the pros.