About Hunting Ammunition

Like the name suggests, ammunition of this type is intended to be used for hunting various types of game. Naturally, these loadings feature projectiles and traits which are conducive to dispatching game both in the air and on land. Hunting ammo is found in a wide range of calibers, gauges, and chamberings like .357 Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, .22 LR, 12 gauge, and more. Ammo of this type is available in a wide range of shot sizes, projectile types, velocities, and other styles which cater to various types of shooters. This is to say that there are hunting ammo offerings which are suitable for shooters of all types.

Types of Hunting Ammo Loadings

• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP):JHP loadings feature hollow point projectiles which are adorned with a full metal jacket. These loadings are generally found in the form of defensive ammo offerings and are designed to facilitate reliable expansion upon impact. Additionally, these types of loadings are designed to achieve adequate levels of penetration for defensive purposes while not overpenetrating the target and risking collateral damage. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.
• Soft Point (SP):SP loadings feature soft, exposed lead projectile tips which are conducive to expanding upon impact. These loadings are mainly utilized in hunting applications and are effective at imparting a high degree of kinetic energy transfer. Specialty SP loadings also exist which are optimized for different types of hunting and game.
• Buckshot:These loadings feature multiple large projectiles. These projectiles are considerably larger than the projectiles found in birdshot and target loadings. For example, a 00 buckshot loading will feature 8 pellets which are about .33” in diameter. There are also some buckshot loadings which feature more projectiles and utilize smaller projectiles. These types of loadings are well-suited for hunting use and for self-defense.
• Slugs:These types of loadings feature single, solid projectiles rather than multiple projectiles. As these loadings feature solid projectiles, one does not have to consider a potential pattern or spread of multiple projectiles. Slugs are often found in the form of rifled and sabot loadings. Rifled slugs are intended for use in smoothbore barrels while sabot slugs are intended for use in rifled barrels. Ultimately, slugs allow a user to extend the effective range of their shotgun.

Firearms that Use Hunting Ammo

There are currently a wide range of firearms on the market which are great hosts for hunting ammunition. Firearms in manual action and autoloading forms alike can take full advantage of hunting ammo. This is to say that a wide variety of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotguns can utilize ammo of this type for hunting.