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Guides, comparisons, and price data for ammunition. Whether you're a new shooter or comparing loads for a specific use, start here.
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Cheapest handgun calibers compared
Handgun calibers compared by observed cost per round. Why 9mm sits at the bottom, what separates it from .40 S&W and .45 ACP, and where each pistol caliber lands.
Cheapest centerfire rifle calibers compared
Centerfire rifle calibers compared by observed cost per round for range and target use. Why 5.56 and 7.62x39 sit lowest, and what drives the rest of the order.
Cheapest hunting calibers compared
Common hunting calibers compared by observed cost per round. Why hunting ammunition costs more than range ammunition, and where .243, .308, .30-30 and .30-06 land.
Market Intelligence
View all posts →Correction: The 9mm 'Price Decline' We Published Was a Coverage Artifact
We reported a 38.4% thirty-day decline in tracked 9mm pricing. Re-measured against a stable set of products and retailers, the change was zero. The move was in our coverage, not the market — here is the full accounting.
Correction: Our July 17 Market Recap Reported Coverage Growth as Price Declines
We reported broad weekly declines across tracked calibers and one rising outlier. Measured like-for-like, all of them were flat — the movement was in our coverage, not in prices.
Why the Ammo Price Increase You Read About Isn't the One You Pay
When a manufacturer announces an ammunition price increase, the percentage in the headline is rarely the percentage you pay. The number changes shape at every link in the chain — promo-tier vs. full book at the factory, blended bookings at the distributor, absorb-or-pass at the retailer. Here's how the channel actually works, using the June 2026 increase as a worked example.
Ammo Prices by Caliber
Dated price intelligence per caliber: current cost per round, observed range, and recent trend.
Basics
Foundational knowledge for new and experienced shooters.
FMJ vs hollow point
FMJ is for range training. Hollow points are for self-defense. Learn the differences in construction, cost, expansion, and when each bullet type matters.
What does grain mean in ammunition?
Grain is the unit of measurement for bullet weight. Learn how grain weight affects recoil, velocity, and accuracy, and how each weight class is typically used.
Steel case vs brass case ammo
Steel-cased ammo is cheaper but is it safe? Compare steel vs brass case ammo on price, reliability, accuracy, and wear. Honest breakdown with real cost analysis.
What is +P ammo and is it safe for my gun?
+P ammo is loaded to higher pressure for more velocity. Learn what +P means, which guns can handle it, and whether the performance gain is worth the tradeoffs.
Subsonic vs supersonic ammo
Subsonic ammo eliminates the sonic crack for suppressor use. Learn when subsonic matters, terminal performance tradeoffs, and which calibers do it best.
What is match grade ammo?
Match grade ammunition explained: tighter manufacturing tolerances on bullets, brass, and powder charges. When match-grade ammo improves accuracy, when it does not, and what to look for in factory match loads. Updated May 2026.
Ballistics & Data
Velocity, energy, and drop tables for common calibers.
9mm ballistics
How fast is a 9mm? 115gr ≈ 1,180 fps, 124gr ≈ 1,150 fps, 147gr ≈ 990 fps from a 4\" barrel, at 320–410 ft-lbs. Full velocity, energy, and drop charts by grain weight and barrel length. Updated July 2026.
5.56 ballistics chart
5.56 NATO ballistics: M193 ≈ 3,050 fps and M855 ≈ 2,970 fps from a 16\" barrel. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and wind drift tables to 600 yards for M193, M855, and 77gr OTM. Updated July 2026.
.300 Blackout ballistics
.300 Blackout ballistics for supersonic and subsonic loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and barrel length effects. Suppressor performance data included.
.308 Winchester ballistics chart
.308 Winchester ballistics data for 150gr hunting, 168gr match, and 175gr long-range loads. Velocity, energy, bullet drop, and wind drift from 24\" and 20\" barrels. Updated April 2026.
Buying Guide
Methods for comparing ammunition prices, availability, and retailers.
How to buy ammo online
A step-by-step guide to buying ammunition online. Learn where to buy, what to look for, shipping laws, bulk pricing, and how to avoid overpaying.
Cheapest calibers to shoot
The cheapest calibers to shoot ranked by typical cost per round. Why some ammo stays cheap, what drives prices up, and how cost per round is observed across tracked retailers.
Cheapest handgun calibers compared
Handgun calibers compared by observed cost per round. Why 9mm sits at the bottom, what separates it from .40 S&W and .45 ACP, and where each pistol caliber lands.
Cheapest centerfire rifle calibers compared
Centerfire rifle calibers compared by observed cost per round for range and target use. Why 5.56 and 7.62x39 sit lowest, and what drives the rest of the order.
Cheapest hunting calibers compared
Common hunting calibers compared by observed cost per round. Why hunting ammunition costs more than range ammunition, and where .243, .308, .30-30 and .30-06 land.
Ammo search engines, compared
A factual comparison of ammo search engines - AmmoSeek, AmmoBuy, BulletScout, WikiArms, AmmoGrab - and the dimensions that separate them, including delivered cost, in-stock accuracy, price history, and alerts.
Why ammo doesn't have a single price
On any given day, the same caliber is listed across a wide band of prices from one retailer to the next. Here's how wide that range really is, and the structural reasons comparable ammo doesn't settle on one number.
Deep Dives
Single-caliber deep dives into ammo types and grain weights.
5.56 ammo types explained
M193, M855, soft point, OTM, and barrier rounds — 5.56 NATO ammo types explained. What each type does, how they differ in construction, and their typical documented uses.
9mm ammo — 115 vs 124 vs 147 grain
Compare 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr 9mm ammo. How grain weight affects recoil, accuracy, price, and which weight is best for range, carry, and suppressor use.
Caliber Comparisons
Side-by-side breakdowns of how two calibers differ.
.300 Blackout vs 5.56 for home defense
Compare .300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO for home defense. Over-penetration, suppressor use, barrel length, terminal performance, and cost per round.
Can you shoot 5.56 in a .223 rifle?
5.56 NATO is loaded to higher pressure with a longer throat, so a .223-marked chamber is not rated for it — but a 5.56 or .223 Wylde chamber takes both. What the markings mean and how to check yours.
9mm vs .45 ACP
Compare 9mm and .45 ACP ammunition side by side — cost per round, ballistics, magazine capacity, and recoil. Updated March 2026 with live market data.
.308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
.308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor compared: ballistics, recoil, barrel life, ammo cost, and which caliber fits your shooting. Updated March 2026 with current prices.
7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO
7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO: ballistics, cost per round, recoil, terminal performance, and availability compared. The AK vs AR caliber debate with real data.
9mm vs .380 ACP
Compare 9mm and .380 ACP ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, gun size, and carry options. Updated March 2026 with live market data.
9mm vs .40 S&W
Compare 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, and why law enforcement switched. Updated March 2026 with live market data.
Do you need 10mm Auto instead of 9mm?
10mm Auto buys roughly double the muzzle energy for more recoil, fewer platforms, and a higher cost per round. Where that trade pays off — woods carry, hunting backup — and where 9mm remains the practical choice.
.300 Blackout vs 7.62x39
.300 Blackout vs 7.62x39: ballistics, ammo cost, rifle platform options, suppressor use, and which .30-caliber intermediate cartridge fits your needs. Updated April 2026.
.308 vs .30-06
.308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield: ballistics, recoil, barrel life, ammo cost, and which caliber fits your hunting and shooting needs. Updated April 2026.
Semi-auto or revolver: choosing between 9mm and .38 Special
The cartridges are close on ballistics; the platforms are not. Capacity, reload speed, recoil and cost per round for a 9mm semi-auto against a .38 Special revolver — and which trade-offs actually decide it.
9mm vs .357 Magnum
Compare 9mm and .357 Magnum ammunition — cost per round, ballistics, capacity, and recoil. Semi-auto vs revolver power comparison with market data.
12 gauge vs 20 gauge
12 gauge vs 20 gauge: payload capacity, recoil, effective range, and ammo cost across target, buckshot, and slug loads. Trade-offs for home defense, turkey, upland, and waterfowl. Updated May 2026.
Ammo by Use Case
How ammunition characteristics and tradeoffs differ across specific use cases.
.22 LR plinking and target loads compared
.22 LR plinking, target, and small-game loads compared by cost per round. Bulk, mid-grade accuracy, and match-grade options with observed prices.
.380 ACP self-defense loads for pocket pistols
.380 ACP self-defense loads compared for pocket pistols. Short-barrel expansion data, selection methodology, and alternatives when stock is limited.
5.56 home defense loads for the AR-15 compared
5.56 NATO home defense loads compared for the AR-15. Over-penetration data, terminal performance, reliability, and selection methodology.
9mm concealed carry loads compared
9mm concealed carry loads compared by category — budget, mid-tier, and premium. Selection methodology, alternatives when out of stock, and observed prices.
12 gauge home defense loads compared
12 gauge home defense loads compared for 18-inch and shorter barrels. Buckshot, slug, and specialty options with selection methodology, over-penetration data, and cost per shell.
.300 Blackout subsonic loads for suppressor use
.300 Blackout subsonic ammunition compared for suppressed shooting. Selection methodology, cycling notes, terminal performance tradeoffs, and cost per round.
.308 whitetail deer loads compared
.308 Winchester whitetail deer loads compared by bullet weight and construction. Selection methodology, alternatives when out of stock, and typical cost per round.
6.5 Creedmoor long-range loads compared
6.5 Creedmoor match-grade ammunition compared for long-range precision. Ballistic coefficient, consistency, selection methodology, and cost per round.
.45 ACP self-defense loads compared
.45 ACP self-defense loads compared for concealed carry and home defense. Selection methodology, JHP expansion data, 1911 compatibility notes, and observed prices.
9mm range loads compared
9mm range ammunition compared by cost per round, reliability, and accuracy. Brass versus steel case, bulk pricing, and grain weight for training.
AR-15 ammunition compared by use case
AR-15 ammunition compared by use case — range training, home defense, and precision. M193, M855, soft point, OTM, and barrier loads with observed prices.
Glock 19 ammunition compared by use case
Glock 19 ammunition compared by use case — range training, concealed carry, and home defense. Selection methodology and observed prices.
Turkey loads compared
12-gauge and 20-gauge turkey loads compared for the 2026 spring season. TSS, lead, and heavyweight tungsten by pattern density, effective range, and cost per shell.
Browse Calibers
Compare ammunition prices across 27 calibers and multiple retailers.