Choosing the right rifle ammo for hunting doesn’t have to be a grisly task (see what I did there, fellow hunters?).
It truly doesn’t. Especially with the rise in quality and range of factory ammunition you can afford today. There are many options depending on what suits your hunting requirements and your long-range rifle choice.
Since there is no one perfect cartridge that fits all, treat the following information as a basis for making a decision based on your preferences rather than a manual to be followed blindly.
Caliber
Start by determining the type of caliber or cartridge your rifle requires. Caliber refers to the size of the bullet, more precisely its diameter — the bigger the bullet, the higher the caliber. Cartridge takes into account the bullet’s diameter, length, and round specifications.
On the barrel of your rifle, you’ll see the type of cartridge you should use (37 HMR, .22 WMR, 300 WBV, etc.). Make sure you stick with the one specified on the rifle. If you happen to use any other cartridge, you may suffer serious or fatal injuries, as well as damage to the rifle.
Apart from that, you should consider killing the animal humanely. As a hunter, you should strive to spare the animal any unnecessary pain and suffering. The selection of the round plays an important part in this.
Since most hunters consume the game they kill, another factor in choosing the caliber is the damage it may cause to the animal. You want to use a caliber that is accurate and doesn’t expand too much, leaving fragments inside the venison.
Bullet Style and Construction
Another important factor to consider is the style and construction of the bullet.
When it comes to the style of the bullet, there are flat or round nose bullets, pointed or “spritzer” tip bullets, etc. Each type fits a specific rifle. Round or flat nose bullets are usually used with a lever action rifle containing a tubular magazine, though round nose bullets can also be used for rifles designed to be used at short ranges.
Bullet construction is an important factor when it comes to how much damage a bullet can cause to a game animal. Certain bullets have a soft core and a thin jacket, while others have a thicker jacket connected to the bullet’s core. Thin jacket bullets expand more easily and allow for fragmentation within a game animal, while thicker bullets penetrate an animal more deeply and don’t expand as much.
There are three main types of bullet construction:
- Cup-and-core
- Bonded
- Monolithic
Cup-and-core bullets can cause serious damage to vital organs. If they hit a bone, the jacket and core of the bullet may separate, causing fragmentation.
Bonded bullets are tough bullets that can penetrate bone and muscle and are suited for bigger game.
Monolithic bullets can be quite narrow but are capable of deeply penetrating targets, similarly to bonded bullets. These, however, may be pricey.
For game such as deer, softer-point bullets are preferred, while moose and bears require thicker bullets.
One of the more popular cartridges is 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition with 140-grain bullets, which allows for the hunting of a wide range of game.
Ammunition Grade
If you want accurate and consistent ammunition utilizing higher-quality components such as primers, powders, bullets, and brass — choose the premium grade ammunition. The price might be just as high as the quality it provides, but the investment certainly pays off. Just think about how often you actually have the opportunity to fire at big game — not that often. So make it count.
Specialty Ammo Loads
Due to many shooters having a light build, being younger, or being generally sensitive to recoil — ammunition manufacturers have developed specialty loads featuring special bullets and powders, resulting in much less recoil. These types of loads are useful for deer-sized game out to 200 yards.
Another type of ammo load is the “hyper-velocity” load preferable to hunters less sensitive to recoil. These loads offer more efficient penetration and more energy.
On top of that, there are lead-free bullets. If you are worried about lead remaining in the meat, you can opt for copper bullets, which are also highly accurate.
Conclusion
The main things to consider when choosing ammunition for your long-range rifle are the appropriate caliber stamped on the barrel of the rifle, the required bullet style and construction based on the type of game you are after, the ammunition grade, which should ideally be premium, as well as specialty ammo loads in case you are either sensitive to recoil, prefer lead-free bullets, or, on the other hand, enjoy hyper-velocity.
In any case, the ammo you choose should work with the rifle you choose, your hunting skills, and the idea that you shouldn’t let a game animal suffer.
