Tag: ammo

What Does Grain Mean in Ammo and What Grain Should I Be Using?

For many firearms users, this question can be a little confusing. Grain isn’t exactly commonly used anymore. So, in this article, we will clear up some of the confusion about what exactly a grain is, and then make some recommendations about what grain is best to shoot.





Continue reading to learn more about grains in ammo.

Recommended Read: How to Choose the Right Bullet Weight for Your Weapon!

Grain – The Basics

A grain is a unit of measurement for mass. It is an extremely small unit. In fact, 1 ounce is equal to 437.5 grains, just to give you an idea of how small it is.

For another comparison, 1 gram is equal to 15.43 grains. Since 1 gram is approximately a paper clip, I’m sure this gives you an idea of how small a grain is.

Many people think that grain refers to something with the gunpowder or propellant used. However, it really has nothing to do with that. In ammunition, grains are used to say how large the projectile of the cartridge is.

So, when ammunition says it is 55 grain FMJ, it means that the actual bullet that will fly downrange weighs 55 grains.

Recommended Read: What’s the Best Conceal Carry Gun? Top 10 Revealed

Choosing the Right Grain

Now that you know exactly what a grain is, and what it refers to in ammunition, let’s talk a little about how to choose which bullet size you will shoot.

Each caliber of ammunition generally has quite a few different choices for grain size. This number is only increased if you are handloading your own ammunition.

Before making a decision, it’s important to know about all of the options available in the caliber you are thinking about.

When you’re trying to decide the size of the ammunition, there’s a couple things to keep in mind. First of all, what exactly are you shooting for?

If you’re hunting, you want a different round than if you are just shooting at the range.

Recommended Read: 4 Things You Need to Know When Buying a Used Gun

Hunting/Defense

For hunting and any kind of defense shooting, a larger grain is generally better. Larger grain, heavier bullets, generally perform better inside a target. However, there’s a lot more to consider.

For example, jacketed hollow point ammunition performs extremely well inside of a live target, while full metal jacket ammunition will not do as well.

If the choice is between heavier full metal jacket and lighter jacketed hollow point, I would go with jacketed hollow point every time. It expands on impact, and damages more tissue.

However, if there are multiple grains of jacketed hollow point ammunition, heavier is generally a little better. Just to caveat that, it’s not a set in stone rule. Your best bet is to try and find some ballistics testing or gelatin testing that others have done to see which performs better.

Precision Shooting

Precision Shooting

If you’re doing any type of competition or long range accuracy shooting, the exact projectiles can play a huge factor in the accuracy of the weapon. Most people choose match grade ammunition, but there are a couple things to keep in mind.

First, the shape of the bullet plays equally as important of a role. Aerodynamics are extremely important, especially over distance.

Next, there are some weapons that just don’t shoot some ammunition well. For whatever reason, some weapons seem to prefer some types of ammunition. The only way that you’ll know this is by testing and shooting multiple types of ammo.





Range Shooting

If you are just plinking at the range, your bullet weight really doesn’t matter. If you’re going to be using the weapon for anything other than range shooting at other points in time, we recommend putting some of your actual choice of ammunition through the weapon, just to make sure it handles the ammunition well.

Conclusion

Now that you understand what grain means in ammunition, you will hopefully be able to make some better choices with what ammunition you are shooting. Unfortunately, there isn’t one exact answer since most calibers have so many different choices, but we have given you some recommendations to consider.

Essentially, just make sure you test out different kinds of ammo, and see which one offers the best performance for your use for your weapon.

Clip vs. Magazine: What is the Difference?

If you are a gun owner, you know the importance of public perception in our politically charged culture. When gun enthusiasts consistently use the wrong terms to describe guns and ammunition, it can negatively affect the public's understanding of guns. One such common misunderstanding is clip vs magazine.



Aside from others' perspectives, we should have a desire as gun advocates to understand the weapons we speak about. We not only make ourselves look bad when using the wrong terms, but we feed misinformation to those around us.

The NRA Firearms Sourcebook is a great place to seek for answers to your terminology questions, but we tip our hats to you for taking the time to read this article and ensure clarity on the terminology of clip vs magazine.

Quick Navigation

Why It Pays to Get Terminology Right
Clip vs Magazine: What's the Difference?
Understanding Clips
Understanding Magazines
Conclusion on Clip vs Magazine

Why It Pays to Get Terminology Right

three gray bullets on brown surface

Image Source: Unsplash

On an episode of the famous sitcom Cheers, Sam and the guys took Dr. Frasier Crane on a snipe hunt. Frasier was depressed, and the guys did not want him ruining their fishing trip, so they offered to take him hunting for snipe.

Unfortunately, they never defined the term. What is a snipe? Frasier ended up holding a gunny sack waiting to scoop an animal that did not exist. There is no such thing as a snipe.

Some folks talk about clips that simply do not exist on a particular semi-automatic pistol, and they either do not know better or simply find it unimportant. The guys clearly did not take Frasier seriously when he was left in the woods holding a snipe sack.

Likewise, firearm dealers, gun enthusiasts, and even friends are not going to take you seriously or find you at all credible. It can also lead to a lot of general confusion in conversations when you speak about a clip and your listener is picturing a magazine and wondering why the discussion makes no sense.

Understanding the difference in the clip vs magazine arena will increase your credibility among gun peers and save you from embarrassing situations. It will also ensure you are describing exactly what you intend to describe.

Clip vs Magazine: What's the Difference?

A magazine is part of a gun that holds the ammunition as it is fed to the chamber of the firearm. A clip holds the ammunition together within the magazine or as it is being fed directly into a gun.

In simple terms, you might say the clip prepares the ammunition for the magazine, and the magazine prepares the ammunition for the gun chamber. Yet within that simple example, there are many types of clips and magazines.

Understanding Clips

An ammunition clip is a device used to store individual rounds of ammunition as a single unit. A clip is inserted into the magazine of a gun or fed directly into other types of guns.

Once the clip is loaded into the magazine, the ammo can be fed individually into the firing chamber. Some who understand this concept make a separate mistake by confusing clips with ammo belts. A slightly dated pop culture example would be when John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, had multiple ammo belts draped over his shoulders as he fired his automatic weapon.

Ammo belts are not clips. A better example of clips would be a nail gun. The strips of nails come connected by a wire or similar structure that can be fed into the nail gun. This is analogous to a clip.

Ammo Belts

Stripper Clips

En Bloc Clips

Moon Clips

Understanding Magazines

gun bullet

Image Via flickr

With the prevalence of modern pistols, clips are becoming less common.

Modern pistols are usually semi-automatic weapons with many features. A magazine is housed inside the gun's grip. The magazine holds cartridges, and the capacity of the magazine varies depending on its size and other factors.

A pistol is operated by a slide that engages the gun. Within the slide is a single barrel that holds one bullet at a time.

The shooter loads his rounds into the magazine and insert the magazine into the pistol until it clicks into place. By pulling back on the slide, the first round is chambered.

The gun is now ready to fire. When the first round is fired, the first cartridge is expelled, and the second cartridge is automatically chambered. You can fire repeatedly until the magazine is empty.

Like many of the Korean War rifles, some magazines are internal. Others, like many handguns, are detachable.

Box Magazines

Tubular Magazines

STANAG Magazines

Conclusion on Clip vs Magazine

handgun

Image Via flickr

If you want to have a meaningful conversation about guns and ammunition, take the time to identify your terms. This includes using the proper term and often ensuring that your audience understands the terms you're using, such as clip vs magazine.

If you use the wrong terms, you can confuse an uninformed audience. If you use the correct terms, they may still be misunderstood by an uninformed audience. So be sure to use the correct terms, and when needed, be sure your listeners agree on their meaning.

Most importantly, if you do not know what something means, ask! You probably do not need to be told that, because you have taken the time read this article and help your understanding of clip vs magazine.

Finally, be sure to ask questions as a listener. You can afford a speaker the utmost respect and still humbly seek clarification to be sure you are talking about the same thing. If you want to have a meaningful conversation on guns, it is the only place to start.

How Much Ammo Can I Legally Own?

If you are a gun owner, then you also most likely own some ammo. Some people might tell you that you have too much on hand. Well, is there a thing such as too much? Are there laws regulating how much ammo you can own? Well, read on, and we will answer the question for you of how much ammo you can legally own and also how to go about finding out more information about the subject.

How much can you own?

Well, getting right into the question of how much ammo can you legally own we have to be honest upfront and say that it depends. Some countries have tighter restrictions than other countries. For your particular situation, you will have to look up information based on your country. Going by the country though may not even give you a straight answer.

That is because if you live in a country with different regions or states, then the rules might be made up by them. This is the case in the United States. Each state has its own regulations on how much ammo you can own. If you are using .22LR ammo, let’s go with best .22lr scope, it will help you have a good experience.




Where to look?

For finding information, it might be hard to find it sometimes. You can start with an internet search to see if your state has ammo regulations posted. A lot of states there is no limit on how much ammo you can own, but for some states there are.

With the ammo rule, it can even go down to the county or city to make the rule. If you can’t find information online pertaining to how much ammo you can own, then you will have to contact your local government.

One of the best people you can contact to find out possible rules in your local fire department or fire marshal. That is because one of the main concerns of having a lot of ammo stockpiled is it being a fire hazard. This is why in a lot of areas the fire marshal makes the rules.

How to store

Sometimes the rules of how much ammo you can own varies based on how it is stored. This is because if you store it away safely it is less of a fire hazard and you can have more ammo on hand. The best way to store your ammunition is in a locked fireproof cabinet.

This way if a fire happens the rounds will not go off. Also, by keeping it locked you will keep other people out of it which is important. Your guns should also be stored away in a locked and safe place.

Other Restrictions

Some areas may not have limits on how much ammo you can own, but they might have restrictions on other parts of gun rounds. If you make your own rounds or reload your bullets, then these restrictions might affect you. Some areas restrict how much black powder or propellants you can have on hand. Again, this is because they can be fire hazards and they want to keep the neighborhood safe.

If you have black powder or propellants, then you will need to look into the thing and make sure that there are not any laws limiting the amount of those that you can own. Again, the best place to find information is to check your state’s website and city website. Then contact the fire marshal or another government official for more information.

Ways around.

If your state or local area does have rules on how much ammo you can own, but you don’t want to get rid of your ammo, then there are normally ways around it. A lot of areas with ammo restrictions offer to license that you can get to own more ammo. The licensing costs a little money and sometimes they might have you take a class or make sure you are storing the ammo right, but they normally aren’t hard to get.

Once you have the license, you can own as much ammo as you want. Having an extra license for ammo is just like needing a license to own a gun in the first place. It isn’t a big deal to get, but the extra step helps the area now who has a lot of ammo on hand.



Conclusion

Ammo regulations vary by area, so there is no straight answer to how much ammo you can legally own. Different countries have their own rules, and you will have to look it up based on your country. Sometimes this won’t even give you a straight answer, and you will have to go more narrow by looking at your state, county, and city laws. A lot of places in the United States don’t care how much ammo you own, but you should store it safely in a locked fireproof case.

The best way to find out if your area does care though is to check online and then also to talk to your local fire marshal or another county official. The concern for large amounts of ammo is a fire hazard, so that is why the fire marshal is good to talk too. After reading this, you are now on your way to being able to find out how much ammo you can own in your area based on your local laws. You know the places to look, the steps to take, and also that you need to ask about propellents as well because there are different rules for them than ammo if you have them on hand.

Sources

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/How_much_ammo_can_one_legally_own_/5-840891/

https://www.ingunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/72685-state-regulations-how-much-ammo-private-individual-can-own.html

https://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/62552-how-many-ammo-rounds-can-you-legally-store-home.html

https://rugerforum.net/ammo-dump/97920-how-much-ammo-can-you-legally-own.html

How to Choose the Right Bullet Weight for Your Weapon!

When it comes to guns, there are all kinds of different bullets or rounds on the market. The rounds can differ from the size in mm, to how much charge the round has, to the weight of the round.

In this article, we will look at the later and talk about how to pick the right bullet weight for your purposes.

The key when it comes to bullet weight is picking the one that suits your purposes

After reading this article you will have a better understanding of finding the right weight bullet for the job that you are using the bullet for.




How is bullet weight measured?

Before we can get into the specifics of bullet weight, we first must consider how bullet weight is measured.

Bullet weight is measured with a term called grains. One pound is equal to 7000 thousand grains. This unit comes from back in the day when they used crops to compare measurements and is equivalent to a single grain of wheat or barley, hence the name grain. An ounce is equal to 437.5 grains to give you an idea with that scale.

One confusion when it comes to bullet weight comes about because the powder charge is also measured in grains, but this number has nothing to do with the weight of the bullet.

Different powders can have different weight even if it is the same number of grains, so when choosing bullet weight, you want to make sure you are looking at the correct number.

Luckily most manufacturers don’t put the weight of the charge on the box, so if you are reading the box trying to find the weight of the rounds, it is most likely the bullet weight.

Weight options.

There are all kinds of different bullet weight options for each size of the round.

Normally the size of the round is given in mm, so 9mm or 10mm are handgun rounds, but they have different weights available. The common bullet weights available are  115, 124, 147 but you also might see 95, 110, or some other amount.

One thing is that different rounds have different common weights.

The bigger the round is diameter wise most likely, the heavier the round will be compared to a smaller diameter round. Also, if the weight of the round is not on the box, then you can normally find the information you need online with a fast search.

How can weights differ for the same size round?

How can weights differ for the same size round
How can weights differ for the same size round?

So, you may be wondering how the same size round can have different bullet weights. Well, there are a few ways this can happen.

One, since the round is the same diameter, the heavier bullet is longer than, the lighter bullet. This may not always be the case though. Sometimes the heavier round is made with a heavier metal than the lighter round, and if that is the case, then both rounds would be the same length.

Different metals, powder, or longer rounds are the main ways that two bullets of the same size can have different weights.

What does weight effect?

So, now that you understand what bullet weight is and how it is measured, we can start getting into what it affects. The things that it affects will help you determine which weight you need for your uses. There are three main things that the bullet weight can affect. Those three things are accuracy, recoil, and penetration.

Accuracy

Accuracy is affected because lighter bullets and heavier bullets exit the barrel of the gun differently. Assuming the charge and everything inside the bullet is the same, except the weight, the heavier bullet will take a bit longer to leave the gun. This means that the gun will start to recoil a little more before the bullet is out. That means the heavier bullet will hit the target slightly higher than the lighter bullet.

The accuracy can also be affected due to the different length of the bullet, which has already been mentioned.

Recoil of the gun

The next thing that is affected by the weight of the bullet is the recoil of the gun. Recoil is when the end of the gun goes up after you fire and the gun kicks back some into your shoulder if it is a rifle or into your hand if it is a handgun. Most of the time a heavier bullet will create more recoil than a lighter bullet. This is because more force is needed behind the bullet to get it going. This isn’t always the case though. Some light bullets have a lot of charge in them, and they may produce just as much recoil as a heavy round.

Penetration and tied into

The last thing that is affected by bullet weight is penetration and tied into that is expansion. Penetration is how deep the bullet goes into the target and expansion is how much the bullet spreads out after being fired. For self-defense, you want penetration of around 12 inches but no more than 18 inches. This way you hurt who you want and not others around. Generally the heavier the round, the more penetration it will have assumed that the heavier round and lighter round have the same charge and same metal. This is because the heavier one will have more kinetic energy.

This isn’t always the case though because if the lighter round has more charge or is made from a stronger metal, then it might penetrate deeper. Also, barrel length can affect penetration and expansion. If the barrel is too short, it may not allow the bullet to come out at full force, but if it is too long, the bullet may expand to much while in the barrel.

These are the main things bullet weight effects, but there is not a set way that bullet weight affects these things because there are so many other factors. The material the bullet is made of and the charge behind the bullet affects just as much as the bullet’s weight itself.

What round for hunting.

Now you know what bullet weight effects, we can get into the different types of weight you should use for different purposes. For hunting, you want a bullet that will penetrate and bring the animal you are hunting down. Depending on the animal the weight you will need to do that varies.

For small game, you might be able to get by with a light bullet, but for most hunting, you will most likely need at least a medium weight round. For bigger game or game with thick hides, you will need a heavy round.

Self-defense

For self-defense, you will again want a round that is going to penetrate. Humans tend to have thinner skin than most animals though, and you will be a lot closer normally, so a lighter round might work, but a medium weight round is more likely to be right.

You don’t want to heavy of a round that it over penetrates and you hurt others around. You also want a round that is more accurate than with hunting because your life depends on it.

Target shooting

Target shooting you want an accurate round that hits where you are aiming.

The round does not need to penetrate a lot because targets are thin and made to be shot. With target shooting an accurate light round is fine.

The key to picking out a good round for target shooting is finding one that is cheap.

Normally when target shooting, you are firing a lot of rounds, and you don’t need them to be expensive ones.

What bullet weight for you?

So, what bullet weight is right for you? Well, the key to finding the right bullet weight is knowing your purposes and looking for a round that will provide the things most needed for that purpose. Then, once you have a round that you think meets your requirements practice with it and make sure it works well with your gun. Some guns fire specific weights better than others.

You want to find the weight that provides the best accuracy, least recoil, and best penetration for your purpose with the gun you have. Even the same weight round from different manufacturers may fire differently from your gun. You need to go to the range and practice with different weights until you find the one right for you.

Conclusion

Now you know what bullet weight is and also what it affects. You also, have an idea of what to look for in a round depending on the purpose you have. The only way to find out if you truly have the right bullet weight is to practice with it with your gun. It is important to practice, so you know how the round will fire when you are in a situation to perform.

This means you can’t practice with a lightweight all the time target shooting and then carry a heavier weight. It won’t fire it the same. A lot of factors affect how different rounds fire and one of those is bullet weight. Now you know why it is important to understand bullet weight.

What Exactly is A Round of Ammunition?

Obviously, ammo is round in shape. However, what really is one round?

I’m sure most people have the general idea right. One round is one cartridge or one shotgun shell. However, the term is commonly mixed up with the term “bullet.”

So, in this article, we will cover the absolute most basic parts of ammunition. In doing so, you will understand what exactly a round is, and how it is different from a bullet.




Handgun and Rifle Ammo Components

When looking at a handgun or rifle round, they are really pretty similar. These rounds are composed of a bullet, which is located inside a casing, which is filled with a propellant.

The bullet is the “front” of the round. It is the actual projectile that will fly through the air. It is also the part that will enter the target, whatever that may be.

This bullet is crimped into the casing, which is the larger brass part that makes up a good portion of the round. This casing will be ejected from the weapon after the trigger is pulled.

The casing has a primer on the very back of it. When you pull the trigger, the firing pin in the weapon will strike the primer. The primer has a very sensitive igniter in it, which will light the propellant.

The propellant is located inside the casing. It is never seen by the normal shooter because it is contained within the casing and is completely consumed after firing.

After the primer is struck, the igniter lights the propellant. The propellant, or gunpowder, burns rapidly, which creates gas pressure. This gas pressure is what actually fires the bullet downrange.

All of these components added together are referred to as a cartridge. One “round” of ammunition is simply one cartridge.

Shotgun Ammunition

Shotgun ammunition is slightly different. Instead of having a brass casing, shotgun shells have a plastic hull. These plastic hulls are crimped at the end opposite the primer.

Instead of one bullet, shotgun shells have “shot” in them.

Shot refers to the pellets that are located within the hull.

Shotguns traditionally fire many pellets, as opposed to only one bullet.

The shot is actually inside of the hull, as opposed to rifle ammo, where you can see the projectile.

Shotgun shells also have what is called a “wad.” The wad is located between the powder and the shot. Its purpose is to protect the shot and trap the gas behind the shot, which allows the shell to work.

Other than these terminologies, shotgun shells work very similar to handgun and rifle ammunition. They have a primer, which ignites the powder and propels the shot downrange.

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Conclusion

As you can see, ammunition is pretty simple. One “round” simply means one cartridge or one shotgun shell. It’s really that simple.

Ammunition can get a little confusing, but understanding the basics will give you a better grip on ammunition as a whole.

How To Store Ammo in the Right Way

All right, so you’ve just got yourself a firearm. Awesome! You get home with your new weapon and a box of ammo, excited for a trip to the range. But…. Shoot. How can you store the ammo?!

Not to worry! This is a pretty common question to people that are new to the firearm scene. As you will see, ammo is relatively durable, so you don’t have much to worry about.

In this article, we will go over some tips for storing ammo and make some general recommendations.




The Three Factors: Temperature, Moisture, and Location

It’s really this simple. These are the extremely simple factors that you need to keep in mind when thinking about storing ammo.

If you are storing ammo, we are going to assume it is for the long-term. Most people don’t buy ammo to shoot it the very next day. Many people, like hunters and survivalists, will have a large quantity of ammunition stored up at any point in time.

So, therefore, we are going to assume that preserving your ammunition is in your plans as well.

Temperature

First and foremost, your ammo should be stored in a cool environment. If it is stored in a place that is too hot, the excessive heat can negatively affect the gunpowder inside the bullet.

It will be a slow process, but high heat can affect the actual chemical composition of the gunpowder. This will negatively affect your ammunition and could make it unusable.

Moisture

Next, your ammunition should be stored in a dry place. Water and moisture can rust the case and affect the propellant within the cartridge.

If the propellant is wet, it may burn slower, or not at all. This will degrade the effectiveness of the ammunition.

One thing to keep in mind with this, once your ammunition has been exposed to the outdoors, it is \ likely that it has experienced some moisture. This is multiplied if it was in a swampy area, or brought along on a rainy hunt. Any environment with high humidity has high moisture.

Location

When we say location, we are talking about a couple of different things. The ammunition should be stored in a safe place, where no one will be able to get to it if they shouldn’t be able to. For example, children shouldn’t be able to get to the ammunition.

The ammo may also be stored in a secure spot, or under a lock and key. While not everyone will do this, it is a pretty common practice.

Another factor of the location is exactly what you are storing the ammo in. The cardboard boxes that ammo comes in aren’t meant to be a long term storage solution. These should be secured in a safe, or even better, in an ammo can.

Storing Ammo – Don’ts

  • Don’t leave the ammo in the trunk of your vehicle, in the attic in the summer, or anywhere else that is really hot.
  • Don’t leave the ammo in a container that isn’t waterproof.
  • Don’t store ammo for too long after it has been exposed to moisture.
  • Don’t store ammo where children can easily get to it.
  • Don’t leave large stockpiles of ammo unsecured.

Storing Ammo – Dos

  • Do store ammo in an ammo can or other waterproof container.
  • Do store ammo somewhere climate controlled.
  • Do store ammo out of reach of children.
  • Do have some ammo readily accessible for home defense.
  • Do lock up excessive ammo.

Other Considerations

Some people don’t like storing ammunition with the weapon. I don’t really have any issue with it, but it is something to keep in mind. I do store some ammunition in my gun safe, but not everyone likes to do this.

Conclusion

Following these extremely easy considerations will allow you to store your ammo effectively. Storing the ammo effectively will ensure that it lasts for a decade or more. For most people, this is a huge pro.

When in doubt, just think about the temperature, moisture, container, and location of the container. As long as you are thinking about these factors, you will have no issues.

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.



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.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.

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.

How Long Will Ammo Last For?

Wondering about the shelf life of ammunition is an extremely common question that most people have.

Whether you are hoping to stockpile ammunition for any number of purposes or have found some older ammunition, it is extremely common to wonder how long it will last for.

While there is no one single answer, as not all ammo is the exact same, there are a few rules of thumb to follow.

Most ammunition is good for at least 10 years, but a few factors can affect this. The primary factors that will shorten this shelf life are being exposed to high heat or moisture.



Temperature

At high temperatures, the chemical composition of the gunpowder can start being affected. While it may not be instantaneous, sustained exposure to extremely high heats can negatively impact the ammunition. Over time, it may cause the round to be less effective, and eventually could lead to the ammunition not working.

Moisture

When ammunition is exposed to moisture, whether it is submerged in water or experiences high humidity, the powder could potentially become ineffective.

Once the propellant gets wet, it may not burn, so the ammunition may not function.

Generally speaking, manufacturers say that their ammunition is supposed to last for 10 years. However, this is just a general number that they give.

There is absolutely no reason that the ammo can’t be used after 10 years, if it is stored properly. Ammunition that is stored in a generally cool and dry place will last for well past 10 years. While it may not be the best idea to keep ammunition for this long, there’s no reason that it wouldn’t still function.

3 Tips For Storing Your Ammunition

  • Try to store ammunition indoors in a climate controlled room. Best gun safe is good choice. 
  • If you must store it outdoors or in the attic, keep it in a place that won’t be in direct sunlight
  • Consider using an ammo can – they will keep the ammunition cooler and protect from moisture

One thing to keep in mind is that once your ammunition has been taken out of this cool and dry environment, it should be used at your soonest convenience. 

If you take your ammo out to the range on a hot or rainy day, or take it out hunting in the swamp, your best bet is to expend that ammo sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ammo will last as long as you treat it right. As long as it’s stored in a cool and dry environment, there is no reason that the ammo can’t last for decades.

However, once it has been exposed to high heat or moisture, you run the risk of it being no good.

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