Category: Weapons

What to Do When Your AR is Not Chambering the Next Round

So, your AR isn’t cycling properly. After you fire a round, the next round doesn’t enter the chamber. What could be causing this problem?

In this article, we will talk about some of the most common reasons that this may be happening, and give some recommendations in conjunction.

All of these are very simple fixes, but could save you an embarrassing trip to the gun store.

Before getting into some of these potential fixes, we are going to assume that you know how to use the weapon properly and have done the basic immediate fixes, such as tapping the forward assist.

Change the Ammunition

Are you using a different ammunition than you usually do for your AR-15? This could be the cause of the issue. For various reasons, some weapons don’t like some ammunition.

Whether it be the casing or the pressure generated by the propellant, your weapon may simply not like the ammunition you’re using. If you find that your weapon doesn’t cycle well using one ammunition, try using a different one.

This is one of the easiest fixes on the list.

Clean Your Weapon

How Often Should I Clean My Gun

How Often Should I Clean My Gun

Another very simple fix is cleaning your weapon.

Carbon buildup can cause your weapon to not cycle well, and it is a very easy problem to fix. If you haven’t cleaned your weapon in a few range trips, try cleaning it out and see how it cycles after that. 

Try Different Magazines

Sometimes ammunition feeding issues can be caused by the magazine you are using.

Perhaps the lips of the magazine or the springs in the magazine are worn out.

Try it out with a different magazine, and see if that works better for you.

Check the Gas Tube

This isn’t necessarily a simple fix, but the issue could be caused by a leak in the gas blowback system.

Start where the gas tube meets the barrel, and work your way back, looking for leaks as you go.

Dependent on the exact issue, it may be a simple fix, or it may require a whole new gas system.

Buffer Spring Issues

An old buffer spring may cause the weapon to not chamber the next round properly. Similarly, a greased up buffer spring could also cause the same issue. Check out the buffer spring, and replace or clean it if need be.

Other Problems

If none of these issues are the one causing the malfunction, it may take a professional to diagnose it. There’s a chance that your bolt, bolt carrier group, or chamber are seriously damaged.

Basic reticle scope

Basic reticle scope

Conclusion

These are some of the basic issues that can cause your weapon to not chamber the next round properly of ar15 rifle.

While there are some simple fixes on this list, not everyone will be familiar with them. Unfortunately, it is not always this simple, and sometimes a professional will have to handle it for you.

Which Is Better Between .308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield?

Both .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield are extremely popular rifle cartridges, specifically for big game hunting. Are you looking for some of the differences between the two?

We will help you make a decision today by comparing the two cartridges in terms of size, ballistics, and performance.

History of 2 Cartridges

Before getting into the specifics, we will give a very brief history of both rounds.

.308 Winchester: .308 was developed over 50 years ago, but despite its age, it is a very popular hunting round. It has retained its popularity for hunting due to its deadliness. In fact, it is the most widely used big game hunting cartridge in the world.

The cartridge is the starting point from which 7.62x51mm NATO was created, which is still widely used in the United States military today. On top of that, .308 is used by US military and various police snipers.

.30-06: It is well over 100 years old. Similar to .308, this round is still very popular today. Also similar to .308, the round was originally used in the US military. As a matter of fact, .30-06 is a parent cartridge of .308 Winchester.

Size

.308 bullets are 7.8mm in diameter, or .308 inches. The case measures 2.015 inches, and the overall length is 2.8 inches.

.30-06 bullets are also .308 inches in diameter, but the case is much longer. The case of .30-06 cartridges is 2.49 inches long. Overall, the round measures 3.34 inches.

In terms of size, the primary difference is the case length. While the projectiles are somewhat similar, .308 cases are much shorter. .308 is a short action rifle cartridge, meaning that it is fired from a weapon with a smaller bolt. This cuts down on the weight of the rifle.

Ballistics

The projectiles of .308 cartridges commonly weigh between 150 and 170 grains. Some hunting ammunition has bullets that weigh 178 to 185 grains. These projectiles are fired with a muzzle velocity of between 2600 and 2800 feet per second. This equates to around 2700 foot pounds of torque.

What's best ammo for ruger 10/22?

.30-06 projectiles weigh between 150 and 180 grains, generally speaking. When fired, the muzzle velocity of these bullets are around 2700 to 2900 feet per second, which is around 2800 foot pounds of torque.

In terms of effective range, the rounds are very similar. Both cartridges can be expected to shoot around 700 yards, dependent on the exact weapon and cartridge chosen.

As you can see, the bullets are extremely similar in size and weight. However, the primary difference comes with the fact that .30-06 bullets are fired with a greater muzzle velocity and energy. This comes from the fact that the case is longer, so they are able to fit more propellant into the cartridge. For this reason, this cartridge is deadlier than .308.

What about Price of .308 Winchester and 30-06

The ammunition of both calibers is extremely commonly priced.

Much of the same ammunition is available for the two rounds, and the prices are generally close together. In making your decision, price will not be much of a factor.

Weapon

One difference worth mentioning is the available weapons in each caliber.

.308 weapons run the gamut. Since it is a short action cartridge, there are multiple options available. There are bolt action rifles and modernized tactical rifles, such as the AR-15, that are all available in .308. best ar15 scope is good option for .308 rifle. 

Due to its added length, .30-06 weapons are much more limited. There really aren’t many tactical weapons available. Most .30-06 weapons are either bolt action or lever action, although there are some exceptions. There are a couple semiautomatics and at least one pump action rifle.

.30-06 weapons will also be much heavier.

Recommendations

If you will be hunting from a stand or doing any other type of hunting that does not require much walking or movement, we recommend .30-06. The increased deadliness will be worthwhile.

If you are going to be doing mountain hunts or some stalking, we would recommend .308. There are lighter weapons available that you will be able to move around easier.

If you are looking to do precision shooting, we recommend .308. It is slightly more accurate.

Conclusion

Both rounds are an excellent choice for big game hunting. There are very slight differences between the two, but we hope that this guide has been helpful.

5 Common Reloading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Handloading ammunition is a very common practice for intense shooters. Handloading allows you to save money while also customizing your ammunition to your exact kind of shooting. But are you making these common reloading mistakes?

There are several mistakes that come along with handloading your ammunition. Some of these mistakes can be very dangerous, despite the fact that they are usually easily avoidable.

Common Reloading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Look below to see some of the most common reloading mistakes, and get our recommendations for how to avoid it.

1. Powder Charge Errors

The first common mistake is loading the wrong powder or too much powder into the cartridge. This is first on our list due to how dangerous it can be.

If the wrong powder is loaded, or if one case is accidentally loaded with extra powder, there is a potential for serious damage and injury to occur.

To avoid this mistake, visually inspect each cartridge to make sure it has the same amount of powder as the rest. Another tip, if you are loading multiple types of cartridges, make sure to keep the powders separate and labeled correctly.

2. Bad Casing

The next common mistake is using a bad casing. Whether the casing is cracked, dented, or the incorrect size, using a bad casing is a bad idea.

If there is a crack in the casing, gases will be able to escape the cartridge, and could potentially harm the shooter. In the worst case scenario, the cartridge could actually split open completely and damage your weapon, if not worse.

To avoid this mistake, thoroughly inspect each casing before using them to handload ammunition.

3. Primer Seating

When seating the primer in the cartridge, there are two things that can go wrong.

If the primer isn’t seated deep enough, it will stick off the back end of the cartridge. Primers can be very sensitive, so if it sticks out too far, you risk the unlikely situation of a cartridge being ignited early. However, if the primer sticks out too far, it could also affect the cycling of the weapon.

If the primer is seated too deep, it could become even more sensitive, because some of it will be crushed as it is forced too deep into the casing. It also could cause issues with firing and cycling the weapon.

To avoid this mistake, inspect the cartridge after you put the primer in. It should sit below the surface of the back of the casing, but it shouldn’t be in too deep.

4. Projectile Seating

When you put the bullet in the cartridge, it is possible to either put it in too far or not far enough. If the projectile isn’t seated correctly, it could damage the action or the barrel of the weapon.

To avoid this, make sure you are guiding the projectile into place precisely and double checking after it is crimped.

5. Crimping Mistakes

Speaking of crimping, the last common mistake on our list is either crimping the casing too much or not enough.

If the case is crimped too much, it can cause issues cycling the weapon. It creates a bulge in the cartridge, which can cause it to hang up when trying to enter the chamber.

If the case isn’t crimped enough, the projectile could actually come out of the casing a little bit, which would also cause issues with loading and cycling the weapon.

To avoid this, make sure you develop a process for crimping and inspecting the ammunition after you have crimped it.

Should I Choose Buckshot vs. Birdshot for Home Defense

If you are a shotgun owner, then you have probably considered using it for home defense. With using a shotgun for home defense you may have asked yourself, or friends, what type of shell to use. The common answer has probably been either buckshot vs. birdshot. But, which is better? 

Most people when they say buckshot are referring to 00 which is nine .33 caliber balls in the shell. For birdshot, the common type to use is number 6 or 7.5. Well, this article is going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each one and try to help you come to an answer of which one is best for home defense.

Pros And Cons of Buckshot and Birdshot

Buckshot Advantages

So buckshot is usually used for taking down larger animals, such as deer, which is where it gets its name. The rounds are bigger and do more damage. They also come out much faster and maintain their speed longer. Generally 00 buckshot comes out at 1250fps (feet per second).

This gives it plenty of penetration power and stopping power. Due to this extra power you don't have to be as close to your target to do the same amount of damage. 

Another advantage to buckshot is, since it is less rounds coming out of the shell, the spread of each ball is less. This means you are more likely to hit what you are aiming at. The closer you are to the target, the less spread their will be.

Also, for a home defense shotgun you can have a custom choke made. The choke helps narrow the barrel which keeps the spread down. This can be used for any type of round you are using.

So less spread and more power are the main advantages to using buckshot. 

Buckshot Disadvantages

The disadvantages to buckshot tie into the advantages. Since it comes out faster and has more penetrating power you can run into issues of over penetration. This is when the buckshot goes through the wall and into another room. This could put other bystanders in danger.

Your family that you are trying to protect might accidentally get hit with a stray round. Even worse is if the over penetration takes the round outside and you hit a neighbor.

Also, with the increased power comes more recoil. This means that if you need to fire multiple rounds it might be harder to re-aim or if you are a smaller person it might knock you back. If you get knocked back, then this could put you in harm's way and put you at a disadvantage against the intruder.

The recoil can be compensated for some with the type of shotgun you are using and the main issue with buckshot is the over penetration.

Advantages to Birdshot

So the advantages to birdshot are going to counter the disadvantages to buckshot. Birdshot pellets are much smaller and come out slower. They have decent force at closer ranges and can penetrate a person even through some clothing, but it will not go through walls. 

They still have the issue of going through windows, but since they slow down slower they will not hurt someone outside as bad as buckshot would.

Also, since it comes out slower, there is a lot less recoil. This means a smaller person can fire birdshot with much more accuracy, which is important because since the pellets are smaller, you need more of them to hit the target to have stopping power.

Birdshot can also be fired faster though because you are using less time to re-aim.

Disadvantages to Birdshot

The main disadvantage to birdshot is it might not have enough stopping power to stop the intruder. If the intruder is on drugs, drunk, or out of their mind in some way, then some small damage may not phase them. This means you either need to be closer when you shoot them with the birdshot to have more penetration or hit them with more.

Also, bird shot may have a hard time of getting through thick clothing. If the intruder has a heavy coat or leather coat on, then the birdshot may not make it deep enough to cause real damage to stop the intruder.

Choosing an ammo is important, so scope too, you need best shotgun scope for deer hunting , It is a non wasteful choice. 

Which should you choose between Buckshot vs Birdshot?

So, which one should you use for home defense now that you know the advantages and disadvantages. Well, if you are a smaller person and can't handle the recoil of buckshot, then you should use birdshot because you want to make sure you hit your target.

If you live in a really busy area, then you may also want to consider using birdshot.

In most situations, though, you should probably use buckshot as long as you can be sure to hit what you are aiming at. This is because the stopping power it provides is important. You want to make sure you are able to stop the target as quickly as possible if you are trying to protect yourself and family.

Also, over penetration shouldn't be much of an issue because the intruder is probably near the door and not between you and your family. Stray rounds should not be going into rooms where your family is and neighbors houses should be far enough away that rounds should not go in. Especially if the homes are brick it will keep the rounds from going to far.

There is a reason the police use 00 buckshot in their shotguns. It is because it works to stop the person needing stopped and the reward for using it out weights the risk of it being used.

The last thing you want is to shoot the intruder and not stop them so for home defense in most situations 00 buckshot is the way to go.


What Distance Should Be Used to Pattern a Shotgun?

This is a question that can be confusing to many people. However, it really is not that difficult if you understand what you are doing. In this article, we will teach you how to pattern a shotgun, and what distances should be used.

What Distance Should Be Used To Pattern A Shotgun

What Distance Should Be Used To Pattern A Shotgun

The Basics

If you are unfamiliar, patterning a shotgun refers to the shot pattern that is produced. Essentially, it boils down to taking some target practice with your shotgun to see what the pattern of shot looks like and adjusting it from there.

It is extremely important to pattern a shotgun to make sure that your weapon shoots accurately and is able to accomplish what you need it to.

Factors That Affect the Pattern

There are a few key factors that will affect the pattern that your shotgun produces. Therefore, these are the things that you should change if you want to change the pattern of the shotgun.

The first factor is the choke you are using. Just in case anyone doesn’t know, a choke does exactly what it sounds like. It “chokes” the muzzle of the shotgun to concentrate the shot. As you can imagine, changing your choke can either tighten or loosen your pattern.

A full choke will tighten the pattern the most, while an improved cylinder choke will be only slightly tighter than the normal bore. A modified choke is somewhere in the middle. There are many different kinds of chokes available. Do your research, and you will be able to find out the spread of each.

The next factor is the exact load that you are using. Each load will perform slightly differently. There really isn’t one specific answer – you are going to have to test it out on your own. But, that is the whole point of patterning your shotgun. Trying different things out until it is perfect for you.

What Distance?

This question is actually rather simple. You should pattern your shotgun at the range you will be shooting at. This will be dependent on what type of hunting you are doing, but that is the simplest answer. While it may not help much, it really is dependent on what distance you are planning on shooting at.

If you pattern your shotgun at 20 yards, but then try to shoot it at 40 yards, your pattern is going to be terrible. It’s not exactly exciting, but you should really pattern your shotgun for each type of shooting you do.

In doing so, you will pick out the best choke and load to use at your specific distance and for your specific hunting.

Conclusion

The pattern of a shotgun is pretty simple to understand. Patterning your shotgun for each type of hunting you plan to do will go a long way in ensuring that you are successful. To change the pattern, try out different chokes and different loads.

Why Cerakote Your Gun and Should You Do It?

If you have looked up information about guns and their durability, then you might have heard of a product called cerakote.

It is a coating that goes on the gun to help protect the metal and moving parts. On top of this it also comes in a variety of colors, so you can have a more custom feel for your firearm that gives it a look that is personal to you. Read on to learn more in-depth information on what Cerakote is and its benefits.

Cerakote Pistol

Cerakote Pistol. source: killercoating

What is Cerakote?

For many years their was only a few ways to protect your gun from the elements. Guns have always been made of metal and some times the steel was blued. This was a heating process to help protect it from pitting and corrosion. Since guns are used outside a lot, they are easily exposed to the weather. Things such as water could easily cause the metal to rust which could lead to the gun not functioning correctly.

On older guns parts of them, such as the handle or butt, were also made of wood. Wood also would break down over time and wear. As time when on people started using pearl grips and things to help protect the parts of the gun that were exposed to wear and the weather more often. Today there is a new product that can protect your gun.

This new product to help your gun last as long as possible is Cerakote. It is a ceramic type material with a polymer mixed into it to help it attach to all kinds of material. Now that guns have a lot more moving parts, it is even more important to keep your gun protected from the elements.

How is Cerakote Applied?

Cerakote is applied in a very skilled way because a small amount of thickness change in a gun can cause it to not function right. The first thing is the gun is completely disassembled, not just field-stripped. It is then degreased and blasted with garnet sand to remove any oils. After the coating is put on in a smooth and even way using an HVLP spray gun. Lastly the metal parts are cured at 250 degrees and the plastic and polymer parts are cured at 150-180 degrees.

Benefits of Cerakote?

So now that you know what Cerakote is and how it is applied, what are the benefits to it? Well like has been mentioned guns have a lot of moving parts now a days, and any wear on these parts can cause the gun to stop functioning correctly. A lot of things can cause wear to a gun from normal use to mishandling.

Normal wear occurs because you have oils on your hands that can eat into the metal parts over time. Also, the slide part of the gun is moving back and forth which causes friction. If your gun does not have a slide but is instead a hammer, the hammer hitting still causes wear. The bullet also coming out of the chamber causes wear over time to the inside of the barrel. Also, the small explosion on the inside each time to propel the bullet out causes wear.

Some of these wear causing things can be slowed down with proper care. If you clean your gun and oil it regularly, then it reduces the effects of the friction. Also, some of the smaller parts can be replaced easily and this will help your gun last longer, but some mishandling things or accidents can't be prevented or protected against in other ways.

Carrying the gun can lead to it getting scratches and things just from it bumping into things. These cosmetic issues don't really affect the function, but if you are spending a lot on a gun you probably want it to stay looking good for as long as possible as well. Also, a drop could cause cosmetic damage and functioning damage, but if you have a coating on the gun these damages can be reduced.

Cerakote puts a layer on the outside of the gun that is hard and protective. The ceramic in the Cerakote keeps the gun from getting scratched if it bumps into different things or gets dropped. The thin layer also protects the moving parts from wear. This keeps the gun in the proper specifications for longer so you don't have to replace parts and it keeps functioning correctly. Lastly it protects the gun from the elements, such as water, so the metal does not rust or pit.

The other benefits are that Cerakota comes in over a hundred colors. This means you can get your gun to look however you want. You can even have different parts of the gun be different colors, so the possibilities are endless. Some might think that customizing the color is just for aesthetics, but doesn't add any real benefits. While this is mostly true, it isn't completely true. If you are wanting to hide your gun, then you can get it in a color that is more easily concealed. That is one reason why getting a custom color can add more benefits than just making you happy.

Should you get Cerakote?

So you still may be wondering should you do it to your firearm.

My answer would be yes.

It is an added cost, but it will keep your gun functioning correctly for a lot longer. The added protection for your gun and then the fact you can make your gun your own, out weights any cost. The technique used now makes it so getting Cerakote on your gun will not do any harm to it.

You should have the best handgun safe to protect your Cerakote pistol. 

Conclusion

Cerakote adds a lot of benefits to your gun at no risk besides the cost of having it down. While there are a few other options on the market, Cerakote is the tested method that a lot of people love. If you are looking for a way to protect your firearm, or to make the gun your own, then Cerakote is a great option for you.

Carbine vs Mid Length Gas System: Which One You Should Choose

If you are building an AR-15 or changing out some parts on one you already have, I’m sure you’ve run into this dilemma before. Is a carbine or mid length gas system better for my AR?

In this article, we will go over some of the key facts of the gas system, and make some very simple recommendations about which gas system is better for you.

Carbine or Mid Length Gas System

Carbine or Mid Length Gas System

Gas System Basics

The gas system of an AR-15 is what allows the weapon to cycle. Once you fire the weapon, gas is generated by the chemical reactions of the propellant of the cartridge. This gas pushes the projectile forward, but also work to cycle the bolt. 

Related: If you are using ar15, i highly recommend the best AR-15 scope for the money, it is useful. 

It is actually pretty simple how this is accomplished. The gas system has a small hole to vent gasses that is near the front sight post of the weapon. The vent hole is connected to a gas tube, that goes back into the receiver.

Once the bullet passes the vent hole, the gas will enter this hole and flow through the gas tube until the bullet exits the barrel. Once the gas moves back into the receiver, it provides the power for the bolt carrier group to chamber the next round.

However, after the bullet exits the barrel, the gas won’t all vent through the small vent hole anymore. Most of it will vent through the end of the barrel.

As you can imagine, this all happens pretty fast.

What's the different between Carbine vs Mid Length Gas System

Carbine length gas systems are shorter than mid length gas systems. What this means is that the vent hole is closer to the receiver on a carbine length gas system. In turn, that means that the vent hole is further from the end of the barrel.

So…. What Does That Mean?

The length of the gas system affects the cycling of the weapon. If the bullet is past the vent hole but in the barrel for a longer amount of time, more gas will enter the vent hole. So, if the vent hole is closer to the barrel, less gas will enter the gas tube.

In a carbine length gas system, there is a greater distance between the end of the barrel and the vent hole. This means that more gas will enter the gas tube when compared to a mid length gas system.

Recommendations

On a standard 16 inch or an 18 inch barrel, we recommend a mid length gas system.

The reason for this is that a carbine length gas system will allow more gas to enter the tube, which will increase recoil, and will cause additional wear on the internals of your weapon.

On a 14.5 inch or shorter barrel, we recommend a carbine length gas system. With this shorter barrel, there is less space between the vent hole and the end of the barrel, so the correct amount of gas will enter the gas tube.

If you are using a 20 inch barrel, a rifle length gas system should be used.

What Calibers Can You Build an AR-15?

The AR-15 is an extremely popular weapon, for a variety of reasons. Due to the number of internal parts and external accessories available, it is a very common weapon for people to build.

Many people like to build their own AR-15s because it allows them to fine-tune exactly what the weapon can do for them. It also gives you a better appreciate for the weapon as a whole, while allowing you to customize nearly every aspect of it.

No matter what the part is, there’s bound to be hundreds of different manufacturers making one. With this wide assortment for each individual part, it’s easy to see how customizable the AR-15 platform can be.

But, before looking into building your own AR-15, one very important decision must be made. What caliber do you want the weapon to shoot?

Now, this is a simple question with a plethora of answers. For brevity’s sake, I will keep this list to some of the most common builds. I will also focus on calibers that can be built on the traditional AR-15 lower.

Background Info

The biggest limiting factor in the caliber is the size of the magazines and magazine well. As you will see, there are some extremely large caliber bullets that have been fit into short casings. These rounds were designed specifically for AR-15s.

However, some of the classic larger caliber cartridges, such as .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua, are longer cartridges that won’t fit into the magazine well of a standard AR-15 lower.

Common Calibers

If you do a little research, there are a few common calibers that you can build an AR-15 in. Some of these are: .223/5.56x45mm, .300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, 6.8 Remington, and .22LR. While there are countless more options, these are just some of the most common. We will briefly go over each one, and make a few recommendations.

.223/5.56x45mm NATO

2235.56x45mm NATO

2235.56x45mm NATO

This is the classic. A “normal” AR-15 fires .223. It is a fun to shoot round that is easy to find. There are many different ammunition options available to you.

We recommend this caliber for general shooting, varmint hunting, and potentially competitive shooting. With the proper gun, this could be decent at longer ranges.

Due to the cheap prices available, it is also a good round for plinking.

.300 Blackout

This is one of the most popular options out there. It is a .308 bullet in a necked down case. As you can imagine, this provides excellent terminal performance, but will die off at distances greater than 300 yards.

We recommend this one for home defense and medium game hunting. This would definitely be suitable for deer hunting.

6.5 Grendel

6.5 Grendel is somewhat of a jack of all trades. It was designed to be an improvement over the traditional 5.56x45mm cartridge, in terms of ballistics and effective range.

The bullets are larger and heavier than 5.56x45mm NATO, but they are fired slightly slower. Due to the added size and weight, these rounds will perform better in a target. 6.5 Grendel also offers a greater effective range than 5.56x45mm NATO, and can be shot out to around 1000 yards.

We recommend this caliber for long range shooting, competition shooting, and potentially some hunting. While there are better options for deer hunting, this caliber would be acceptable in the eyes of most.

.458 SOCOM/.50 Beowulf

These two calibers are lumped together because they are so similar. They are both extremely large bullets that are in a specialized cartridge that will fit a standard AR-15 lower.

The .458 SOCOM came first, after demands from the special ops community for a round that had more stopping power than the traditional 5.56x45mm. The projectiles of both of these cartridges are absolutely massive.

For home defense, these rounds can’t be beat. However, keep in mind that the range of these calibers is severely limited due to the weight of the bullets. Similarly, they are popular rounds for big game hunting at close range. Simply put, whatever you hit with one of these rounds will go down.

6.8 Remington

6.8 Remington is similar to 6.5 Grendel in that it was designed to be an improvement over 5.56x45mm NATO. The projectiles are larger, but are fired slightly slower than the 6.5 Grendel projectiles.

The projectile is actually from a .270 Winchester cartridge. Most hunters know that this round is extremely popular in the deer hunting community. For this reason, this round is another option for deer hunting. We prefer .300 Blackout, but 6.8 Remington will also work. The range of this round is slightly greater than that of .300 Blackout.

7.62x39mm

As backwards as it seems, you can build an AR-15 in an AK-47 caliber. However, there are a few reasons that we recommend not doing this.

First, 7.62x39mm is generally considered inaccurate. Part of this comes with being shot from an AK-47, but it also comes from the round being less accurate than some of its competition.

Second, due to low gas pressure, a traditional AR-15 may have trouble chambering a 7.62x39mm round repeatedly. We would avoid that.

The size of the bullet is great for terminal performance, but it is also very similar to .300 Blackout. While 7.62x39mm is a viable option, .300 Blackout can outperform it in almost every aspect.

The one plus side that 7.62x39mm does have is that the ammunition is cheap.

.22LR

Many people know that .223, or the classic AR-15, is actually very similar in size to a .22LR projectile. There are plenty of conversion kits out there that will allow you to shoot .22LR from an otherwise stock AR-15.

Due to how cheap this rimfire ammunition is, this is a great round for plinking and for teaching firearms safety. best ar 15 scope for .22lr is good option for ar15 owner. 

Pistol Cartridges

Similarly, there are conversion kits out there to allow your AR-15 to shoot pistol cartridges. These are nifty, but in our opinion, they lack much of a purpose. For general rifle shooting, there are far better options out there.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few options out there. Keep in mind that this is just the beginning, and there are even more calibers available to you!

While it can seem like a difficult decision to make, keeping in mind what the weapon is for will help to make the decision.

How to Determine a Shotgun Effective Range

Finding out your shotgun effective range can be important for a variety of reasons. No matter if the shotgun is being used for hunting or defense, it helps to know how far you can be from the target to have the result of putting the target down.

This is especially important when it comes to protection but you don't want that deer walking away either.

Their are a few factors that go into a shotguns effective range, and if you continue reading, you will find out what those are so you can figure out the effective range for your gun.

Things that Effect Range

Their are three main things that effect the effective range of your shotgun.

  • The first is the gun itself and the ammunition used
  • the second is the mental state of the target
  • And the third is your skill with the gun

Two of the three can be changed by you, so you can increase your effective range if needed, or create a set up that has a farther effective range. The mental state of the target can not be changed by you however.

You may be wondering how the mental state of the target effects the effectiveness.

You were probably thinking only the gun and ammo mattered, but that isn't the case.

If the target is angry or has an adrenaline high, then you will have to do more damage to it to bring it down.

This means having more of your ammo hit it. The situation is even worse if it is a home invader who may be on drugs.

Enviroment is one of factor impact weapon range

Enviroment is one of factor impact weapon range

What affects how much ammo hits the target though?

Well, that is where the type of shotgun and ammo comes into effect.

Bird shoot for example shoots out a lot of small pellets and because they are small means they spread more.

Buck shoot on the other hand doesn't spread as much and has larger rounds so you need fewer to hit the target.

Lastly a slug spreads even less, but because of this you need better aim to hit the right spot.

Having a chock on your shotgun can effect the spread though, and that is why it is not just the ammo that effects the effective range of a shotgun. A chock forces the load into a smaller compact area before leaving the gun. This means that the ammo doesn't have room to spread as far.

The last factor is your skill.

If you are a better aim or have a good sight, then you might be able to squeeze in a few more feet for your effective range.

Practicing with your gun and knowing how it handles is a good way to increase your skill.

A good rule of thumb though is most shots spread about one inch per foot back, so if you need a grouping that is thirty inches to hit the vital area of a person, then you should be at most thirty feet back.

This is just a basic rule though, and practicing with your gun can help you figure out how much spread your grouping has.

Best Set Up For Your Shotgun

Finding the best set up to increase range is hard.

Skill is a big part of it and practicing is the only way to importer that. Some other things you can do though is choose an ammo that doesn't spread as much.

Most peoples go to is 00 Buck Shot. This has a good spread pattern and has large enough rounds to do lethal damage. Their are some advantages to bird shoot though for home defense.

At close range it has enough little pellets to do a lot of damage. However, these little pallets have a hard time making it through doors and walls, so others will not get hurt.

The next thing is pick a shotgun that fits you.

You need to consider the compactness of it and also consider the type of chock it has.

If you are going to be hunting birds, then you want spread, but for larger things you might want the barrel to be reduced by a chock.

The best thing is to consider the primary purpose of the shotgun when you go to buy it. For home defense you will want a different gun than for bird hunting.

Their are a lot of reliable options on the market, and you can find one that meets your needs and gives you satisfactory results at the range you want.

Get for you best scope for shotgun also help you have best result when shooting

Conclusion

Now you know that there are a few factors that goes into a shotguns range and they don't just start and end with the gun and ammo.

While the ammunition of choice and the chock and sights of the gun play an effect. The mental state of the target and your skill are also factors.

Effective range of a shotgun can vary from person to person and target to target. The key thing is that you have enough ammo hitting the target at vital points.

The spread of the ammo combined with your distance determines this and with practice you can learn the effective range of your shotgun.

Can I Buy Ammo Online and Where to Buy It?

In the modern age, almost all shopping is done online. Even grocery shopping can be done completely online now. So, with these technological innovations and changes, how does the firearms community change with it?

Wondering if you are able to buy ammunition online? Let’s take a look at some of the laws to keep in mind.

Short Answer

The short answer is yes, you can buy ammunition online. However, as with almost anything in the firearms industry, there are some stipulations.

It Depends on Your State Laws

In some areas, ammunition can’t be shipped in. A few examples are New York City and Washington D.C.

In other areas, you can’t get it shipped to your house. Similar to purchasing a firearm, ammunition can only be shipped to a federal firearms license holder in these areas. Some of these are Massachusetts, New York, Chicago, and most of California.

Lastly, in Illinois and Connecticut, you have to have paperwork on file in order to be eligible to buy ammunition online. Some of this paperwork could be permits or IDs.

The biggest takeaway is to make sure you know the laws in your area. Generally speaking, you can find them with a quick Internet search. However, there are also some websites that have compiled multiple states’ laws into one location. One example is this page on Able’s Shooting. 

However, keep in mind that laws can change. Always double check your own state laws before relying solely on that website or others like it.

Other Restrictions

There are a few other considerations that apply when buying ammunition online. For example, most websites have to charge extra for shipping due to the fact that they are shipping a hazardous material. Federal hazard classification is required, so it costs more money.

It is also common that weapons and ammunition must be purchased separately online.

Many different websites will not ship to Alaska and Hawaii, so be sure to keep that in mind if you are in those areas. 

Should I Buy Ammo Online or In Person? 

There are a couple differences between buying ammo online and buying it at the store. The primary ones will be the price and the fact that you can’t actually see the ammunition

While it is not set in stone, there is a good chance you can get a better price online. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay for shipping. Also, some stores will do price matching, so you may be able to get the price in the store down.

For some people, not being able to physically see the ammunition may be a little difficult. Especially if you are newer to firearms, physically seeing the ammunition may make you a little more comfortable that you are getting exactly what you need.

When buying online, there won’t be a store representative there to answer your questions. However, many websites will have frequently asked question pages or online representatives to assist you.

When you buy ammo online, you will not be able to return it. Similarly, nearly every store will not accept returns on ammunition for safety reasons, so there’s not much difference there.

Where Can I Buy Ammunition Online?

There are hundreds of different places online that you can buy ammunition. Brownells, Lucky Gunner, and Cheaper Than Dirt are always popular options, but there are more than a few.

Brownells has the largest supply of many different types of weapons and ammunition, but they can sometimes be beat in price by Cheaper Than Dirt. With these two websites, you really can’t go wrong.

For reloading, I have found that Brownells has a wider variety of products. MidwayUSA also has a great selection of reloading supplies.

Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops also sell ammunition, but they usually sell at the exact same price as in the store, so there wouldn’t be much incentive to buying online, unless you live in an area where you can’t easily get to an outdoors store.
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