Best Places to Buy Ammo Online 2026: Pricing & Shipping

So many online ammo websites, right?

Find out the best places to buy ammunition online from our own positive experiences and failures.

Plus a quick synopsis of states with ammo shipping restrictions.

We'll also cover recommended brands, types of bullets to buy, and what is a "good" price.

How I Chose the Best Places to Buy Ammo

The Pew Pew Tactical team has been buying ammo online ever since 2010.

We sometimes get ammo sponsors that we disclose, but for the vast majority it's all on us to buy our own.

Based on our review and testing frequency, we usually buy ammo at least once a month...so we've had a lot of experience.

We made sure to have bought from every retailer on this list at least 10 times in the past year. Across at least 3 different caliber and brands of ammo.

We chose a few of our favorite places that meet the following criteria: pricing, shipping, and selection.

Inventory & Selection

When recommending retailers, our first stop is inventory.

It doesn't matter how good prices are if there's nothing in stock. We keep an eye on popular calibers throughout the year to ensure stock is consistent and readily available.

Retailers with a large selection, including niche calibers, are also prioritized.

Pricing

Then, we looked at pricing. Times can be tough financially, and there's no reason to spend a ton of money on ammo if you don't have to.

When evaluating retailers, we compared their pricing with competitors in the same market. We also factored in taxes and shipping to ensure what we recommend is a good value.

Shipping

Though free shipping is going the way of the dinosaurs, we still wanted to keep it in mind when evaluating ammo retailers.

When shopping for ammo, we look for retailers that offer consistent free shipping codes or at least reasonable shipping prices.

Priority is also given to retailers who can ship within 48 hours and properly pack items to reduce busted boxes.

Why Trust Me?

Hi, I'm PPT Founder and CEO Eric Hung, and I'm in charge of ammo acquisition for the entire Pew Pew Tactical team and have ordered multiple times from each vendor on this list.

I'm also an NRA-certified pistol instructor, USCCA certified AR-15 instructor, and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor.

Ammo Retailer Comparison Chart

Best Places to Buy Ammo Online

1. Ammunition Depot - Editor's Pick Best Place to Buy Ammo

Editor's Pick Best Place to Buy Ammo

Ammunition Depot Ammo

$1

at Ammunition Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Ammunition Depot

Ammunition Depot offers a large selection of calibers at some really good prices. Seriously, they often rival (and beat) PSA on pricing for popular calibers.

I end up ordering from them at least once a month, and our most recent order has been .07 cents per round for .22 LR. Right now, 9mm is 21 cents per round shipped for their remanufactured ammo.

Selection is good with just under 100 calibers offered -- everything from .380 ACP to the more obscure .275 Rigby.

You know, when you're buying ammo, it's pretty easy to rack up quite the bill. So, we appreciate when a shop understands that with custom code PEWPEW5P for 5% off your order.

They are pretty quick to ship -- though, actual shipping time will depend on how far you are from Florida, since that's where they are based.

So if you're buying a few boxes or need a large selection of brands and calibers...check them out.

2. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) - Best for Bulk Ammo

Best for Bulk Ammo

Palmetto State Armory Ammo

$1

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Palmetto State Armory

My go-to online place for buying BULK ammo is Palmetto State Armory.

They will usually be one of the best prices for cases (1,000) rounds of popular calibers...like .223/5.56, 9mm, and .45 ACP.

In fact, when our team does gun reviews, we frequently turn to PSA to buy cases of ammo we need. It's just cheaper that way.

And they usually do a good job of keeping the essentials in stock, although due to the current powder shortage our favorite 9mm ammo AAC is on pause.

Sometimes you'll even find free shipping for cases...otherwise, it may be about $20 to $30.

Their shipping used to be excruciatingly slow, but now, with their in-house firearms and ammo brand selling like hotcakes, they've reduced their ammo shipping as well.

• AR-15 Ammo (.223/5.56)
• 9mm Ammo
• All Ammo
• Daily Deals

In short, if you need a lot of ammo, PSA is the best way to go.

What's your take on PSA for ammo and guns? Rate them below!

3. Midway USA - Fastest Shipping

Fastest Shipping

Midway USA Ammunition

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at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Midway USA

When you need ammo and you need it now...Midway USA is the best bet.

Midway is our go-to spot for just about everything gun-related. They have it all...including ammunition.

The selection of ammunition is fantastic for basic calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP, 12-gauge, etc. But really, what sets them apart is shipping. It's super fast!

You can often get free shipping if you spend over $99 -- which, let’s face it, you’ll easily hit when stocking up on ammo.

It's my favorite when I know I have some testing coming up soon on a more obscure caliber and I need a wide variety of both practice and self-defense rounds.

Midway is a great spot to grab ammo and a few accessories (even a gun if you need it). So, if you just want it all and with fast shipping, we suggest stopping by there.

4. Target Sports USA - Best Ammo Membership

Best Ammo Membership

Target Sports USA

$1

at Target Sports USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Target Sports USA

If you know you're going to be ordering 6+ times a year...Target Sports USA might be for you with their AMMO+ membership program.

It's around $99/year but with it you get 8% off and free shipping on any size order.

That's awesome if you both buy a lot or want to stagger smaller orders.

I used to split the membership with a buddy and together we definitely got our money's worth!

Just know that their "normal" non-membership prices might be slightly higher than what you see out there.

5. SG Ammo - Reliable Sourcing

Reliable Sourcing

SG Ammo

$1

at SG Ammo

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at SG Ammo

One of the longest running online ammo stores out there. And where I look when I need cases of ammo and others are out of stock.

Website is super barebones but works fine.

If you're buying a decent quantity you can make use of the free shipping over $200. Shipping has been quite fast whenever I order.

I also love the personal emails you get from the owners once in a while where they go over the state of the ammo world. Very insightful.

6. True Shot Gun Club - California & Ban State Friendly

California & Ban State Friendly

True Shot Ammo

$1

at True Shot Ammo

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at True Shot Ammo

True Shot Gun Club might not be as top of mind, but trust us, they're one to have on your radar when it comes to ammunition.

Their claim to fame is being the largest ammo dealer in Arizona and top 10 in the entire U.S. I've been ordering from them steadily over the years and haven't had any problems. Shipments arrive with little muss or fuss.

And often at really good prices too.

But they're biggest selling point?

They will ship to California!

Though, the California ban on online ammo purchases has been challenged in court and the plaintiffs won (woot!), the case continues to linger in the legal system...meaning, Californians still have to go through the headaches of picking up ammo in store and going through a background check.

While we hope to see this law completely overturned soon, in the meantime, True Shot Gun Club has California gun owners' backs.

In addition to being California friendly, they work with various other states notorious for having limits on ammo purchases. You can learn all about it through at their Gun Laws page.

7. OpticsPlanet - Plinking & Specialty Pick

Plinking & Specialty Pick

Optics Planet Ammo

$1

at Optics Planet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Optics Planet

Optics Planet is one of my go-to optics and accessories shops.

They have a decent selection of popular ammo calibers like .308, 9mm, and 5.56.

Digging through their inventory, you'll notice, they have all the major calibers for plinking and some more specialty selections as well. You can stock up on everything from self-defense hollow points to hunting loads.

This is a huge plus! We don't just buy one kind of ammo for training -- we often grab self-defense loads too. So being able to do both at the same time is a real win.

Only word of warning about OP is to be sure to double-check that the ammo you're looking at is in stock! Sometimes items are back ordered and you don't figure that out until after you hit that checkout button.

They've also done way better on their shipping prices for ammo.

8. LuckyGunner - Live Inventory Pick

Live Inventory Pick

Lucky Gunner Ammo

$1

at Lucky Gunner

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at Lucky Gunner

So, you've checked out the above shops and still can't find what you need?

That's where Lucky Gunner comes in. They offer real-time inventory, fast shipping, and a shipping estimator so there are no surprises.

In our experience, sometimes, retailers put all their cash into inventory and not enough into the tech or shipping side of things. There have been too many times where:

• I find a great price, order, my credit card is charged, and then I get an email a couple days later that they are out of stock. 
• I order and it takes a week or two to ship out my order.
• I try to see my shipping costs and I have to create a login and enter all my details first.

LuckyGunner prevents those kinds of irritations by allowing customers to see live inventory next to each product. They also guarantee shipping by the next business day. Finally, you can calculate shipping without creating a login.

I've been a customer of theirs since 2015 and have nothing but good things to say about my shopping experiences.

9. GrabAGun - Subscription Deals

Subscription Deals

GrabAGun Ammo

$1

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1 at GrabAGun

Not just for guns...

GrabAGun has been one of our favorite places to buy guns online for several years.

But lately they've been upping their ammo game as well.

Especially their 9mm selection of one of our favorite plinking ammo, Blazer Brass.

We've purchased ammo through GrabAGun for various projects. Ammo usually arrives pretty fast and without any hassle.

Even through the market's ups and downs over the past few years, they've managed to keep stock.

And if you're one to forget to top off on ammo, they recently added a Shoot & Subscribe program with some good savings.

Shopping is pretty streamlined, and prices are reasonable. Like Midway, GrabAGun doesn't just do ammo. They also offer guns, so if you're looking to get a new one and some ammo with it, you can.

Other Suggestions

These didn't make our regular list, but if all else fails, you can check these retailers out!

• Gorilla Ammunition (niche manufacturer with subsonic loads and 8.6 BLK)
• Sportsman's Warehouse
• Kentucky Gun Company
• Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore
• Cheaper Than Dirt (Beware: Extreme Price Gouging)

Or if you're looking for the most up-to-date stuff in stock...check out our In Stock Ammo page with all our ammo widgets.

Why Buy Ammo Online?

A survey of gun owners conducted by the NSSF found that 53% of gun owners bought ammo online and that 86% of those cited lower prices and quantity discounts.

I've only bought ammo a couple of times at gun stores or the range because I forgot to bring my online-bought ammo.

But every time I go, it's not surprising to see prices 50% higher than what you'll find online...even after factoring in shipping!

I'd also like to add in variety and tax savings.

Without the restraint of a physical location, online sellers can have tons of selection.

Some guns just like different ammo better than others.  I like to order a couple of types to see what shoots best in a new gun, and then later put in a bulk order.

Ammo Shipping Restrictions by State

Sometimes it's not as easy as simply buying online.

Here's the states that have restrictions...but also note some places just don't want to deal with the added complexity and don't allow shipping to entire states.

We're not lawyers so double-check these!

• California: All ammo must ship to a licensed FFL unless you have an FFL03 and Certificate of Eligibility (COE). No ammo can ship directly to the cities of Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, or Avalon.
• New York: All ammo must ship to a valid FFL, or you must provide a valid state-issued ID and only ship ammo to that ID. No direct sales to NYC or the five boroughs.
• Washington D.C.: No online sales of ammo or projectiles
• Massachusetts: Requires a state-issued ID and Firearm Owner's ID (FOID)
• Illinois: FOID and state-issued ID required. No ammo shipped to city of Deerfield.
• New Jersey: Handgun calibers require a valid Firearms Purchaser ID or permit to purchase/carry a handgun.
• Connecticut: Requires a valid ammo certificate, permit to carry, or valid long gun eligibility certificate.
• Rhode Island: Valid license, must be 21 years old and possess a valid pistol/revolver safety certificate.
• Maryland: No direct shipments to Annapolis
• Alaska: Ammo is shipped by sea or truck only
• Hawaii: Ammo must be transported by boat

Recommended Ammo Brands

These are just my recommended ammo brands based on price, availability, and what worked in my guns. 

I shoot a decent amount, so I usually go for the budget brands. I haven't had a problem with any of the below.

• PMC: Cheap and plentiful rounds that I have used in almost all my calibers. Made in South Korea.
• Federal/American Eagle: Also cheap and plentiful rounds made in the USA. I use them interchangeably but word on the street is that AE is Federal's line that is sold online and in gunshops. Federal Champion is their budget line usually found at Walmart.
• Blazer: Another budget brand that sometimes seems too good to be true. Be aware that the super cheap one might be aluminum cased instead of regular brass. I've never tried aluminum casings in pistols since I wanted to keep my brass for eventual reloading, but my buddies and I have had no problems in handguns running Blazer Brass.
• Lake City: While US government-owned, Lake City also sells surplus ammo and brass through a lot of vendors. They also sell parts and supplies to other brands so it's not uncommon to find ammo from Federal with brass or bullets made by Lake City. All of it is quality stuff!
• Others: I've also had good success with Sellier & Bellot, and Fiocchi, but they are normally a little higher in price. And if in doubt, just Google the brand and caliber to see if there are any complaints in online gun forums.

Recommended Ammo for Common Calibers

A quick overview of the different calibers and types of bullets out there, so you'll know all the useful acronyms, such as FMJ for full metal jacket or JHP for jacket hollow point. 

We'll also have some suggestions for choosing a self-defense gun as well.

Even though we go through 18 calibers in the article above, you'll probably only see/need a handful of the most common ones. So we'll start with those first.

223/5.56 Ammo

The round of the super-popular AR-15.

Haven't gotten one yet? Check out our Definitive Guide to the AR-15.

You can shoot .223 ammo in a 5.56 barrel, but since 5.56 may have higher pressures, you should not shoot it in a .223 barrel.

I always get my barrels in 5.56, so there is no problem. Ammo is around 40-50 cents each at the most standard 55-grain bullet.

You'll also see some designations of XM and M followed by 193 or 855 for Federal & American Eagle.

XM means it was rejected from military use for some reason, but still meets commercial specifications. 

M means it meets mil-spec. 193 means it is a 55-grain FMJ-BT (boat tail), while 855 is a 62-grain FMJ-BT with a steel penetrator for added penetration against hardened targets, known as "green tip."

We cover everything in even more detail in Best AR-15 Ammo for Self-Defense & Range.

9mm Ammo

I've shot over 10,000 rounds of 9mm before I started reloading for competitions.  

Price is between 20-40 cents a round. I prefer 124-grain instead of 115-grain, which seems snappier in recoil, but I recommend trying out both to see which one you like better.

I also recommend sticking with brass cartridges instead of cheaper aluminum/steel.

We cover everything in Best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense & Range. 

.45 ACP Ammo

I've shot over 2,500 rounds of 45 ACP and use my standard budget list of manufacturers. The price is around 40-50 cents a round. 

There's not too much variation in weight, so I stick with the standard 230-grain.

The extensive list is at Best .45 ACP Ammo for Home Defense & Target Practice.

.22 LR Ammo

Reasonably priced .22 LR ammo is getting easier to find at around 6 cents a round.

So what is out there (and in stock) is much more expensive. 

We've compiled an extensive list in Best .22 LR Ammo for Accuracy, Plinking, & Hunting.

7.62x39 Ammo

The good ole AK-47 rounds. My rule is to go with ammo from countries that used the AK but to watch out for corrosive ammunition (which is pretty good shooting stuff, you just need to put more effort in cleaning afterward).

You also need to check with your shooting range rules to see if they allow magnetic (bi-metal) or non-brass ammunition such as Wolf/Tula.

Check out our favs in Best AK-47 7.62x39 Ammo.

If they don't, you will have to go with more expensive brands or corrosive ammunition. The general weight is around 123-grain and costs around 80 cents each.

.308/7.62x51mm Ammo

Another of those rounds that are almost identical but with some differences in pressure and dimensions. 

Unless you really know what you are doing, keep using the round intended for your rifle.

Since most 308/7.62x51mm ammo will be in long-range (sniper) rifles, we'll also include some Match ammo.

Most commercial ammo will be around 147-grains and around $1.02 each while match ammo is around 168-grains and $1.95 per round. I went almost straight into reloading to get the max accuracy out of my guns, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

Check our favs in Best .308/7.62x51 Ammo.

Shotgun Ammo

The shotgun is unique since there are so many different types of ammunition.

We'll cover basic target birdshot (#8-#9 is great for clay shooting), buckshot, and slugs.  Remember for birdshot, the larger the #, the smaller the pellets. And that 00 (double-aught) buckshot is great for self-defense, while slugs are one solid piece of lead.

2-3/4 inch refers to the length of the shell which will fit almost all 12ga shotguns. The problem arises from 3 inch magnum shells.

Prices will vary from 40 cents for target shots to around 60 cents -- $1.50+ for buckshot and slugs.  I've shot tons of Fiocchi and Estate birdshot, and love the Winchester Military Buckshot.

Check out the full list at Best Shotgun Ammo for Home Defense & Range Shooting. 

Final Thoughts

These are some of our favorite retailers when we need to stock up on ammo based on pricing, shipping speed (and costs), and inventory availability. Each brings something unique to the table, so hopefully, we've helped you find the ammo you need!

Where are your favorite places to grab ammo? Let us know in the comments below! Want to see more of our favorite ammo, guns, and gear? Check out Editor's Picks.

Latest Updates

• April 2026: General updates, added Target Sports USA & SG Ammo, added shipping restrictions
• January 2026: Updated pricing, supporting information, and expanded selection criteria.
• August 2025: Removed Brownells & Bereli. Updated pricing and shipping info. Added coupon code for Ammunition Depot. Added a comparison chart.
• March 2025: Added Midway USA
• March 2024: Added GrabAGun. Removed Cabelas & Sportsmans.
• February 2024: Updated with the latest CA ruling